Who Says: The Rumors Are True: I'm A Goat.

Apparently everyone in Provo hikes Timp?...
And not at just anytime. At midnight. In order to reach the top by sunrise.
I'd always heard of people doing it and had a slight desire to join in.

I've hiked Timp every summer for the past couple of years with members of mi familia (minus last year because there was still snow).
One year I tried to get a group together to attempt the late night hike, but it fell through (like always). This year I was invited twice. The first time was a no go, but the second time, I thought to myself, "Self, you should go. Go have some fun and enjoy the outdoors and some good company." Again, I tried to invite my usual peeps (9 people). I ended up going with 3 people I knew from a previous ward and a kid from Idaho. The three were more of acquaintances, but, I wasn't really going on this hike for them, I was going for me, so it didn't really matter.

I started having some doubts as the time drew nearer. I had gotten up early for class and spent the day shopping with my mom, having no time to sneak in a nap and then volunteered from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. I ended up having 2 hours to try and sleep before having to drive my bum down to Provo to meet up with the fellow mountaineers.

I left my place with only a Camelbak (filled to the rim with snacks: granola bars, beef jerky, apple, tootsie rolls. Extra water, TP, gloves, ear warmers, extra socks, First Aid Kit, Camera) on my back, hiking shoes on my feet, leggings on my legs under some shorts (I gave myself the option to cool down if needed. Ok?), longs sleeved T, and my ragged SUVA sweatshirt.
Game time.

Here's the thing. I'm not a slow hiker. I don't need to take breaks every 20 minutes and I don't care if I'm huffing and puffing for a little bit because I know that I'll get accustomed to it and I'll be fine. Here's the other thing. People in my group didn't agree with my hiking logic. For a lot of the hike I would hike ahead, wait for a little bit until they all caught up, and then walk with them for a little bit, and then lose them, and then wait for them... etc. Sometimes though, I was shoved in the middle of the pack with the slowest at the front. They were funny kids. It's hard to hike up hill while laughing. I think that's the only time I really had to stop.
During the periods that I was not with them, they came up with theories of why I was such a quick hiker. The only one they asked me directly was if I owned a pair of PF Flyers. Sadly, I do not. But my dad does. He may or may not be Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez. Yes, I'm half brown... Or full white. It's the same thing.

Turns out I LOVED this hike. It was so much better in the middle of the night than in the hot of the day. Walking up the side of the mountain under a full moon is so magical. Watching the sunrise from on top was something else. It was nuts! You'd be looking off to the East and see the beginnings of the sun peeking over the horizon and then, you'd turn around (all dramatic like) and see Utah Valley still asleep in the darkness with the moon looking down on them. SO COOL!
Also, it was freezing. Oh it was cold. We had to sit in the cold on top for 2 hours or so till the sun actually rose. (note to self: Next time I go, don't start hiking till 3 ish AM). It was worth it though. Especially that 30 minute nap I got to take once the sun actually came up and I stopped shivering.
Coming down was postcard worthy. Sundance has some lovely colors this time of year and boy did we get to experience it the whole way down.

I finally ditched the group about half way down.
I ran. Literally. I lost the trail twice. Good thing I'm like an Indian and can find my way back with my built in GPS.

I had so much energy (a crazy amount. The random Idahoian kid asked me if I drank a Monster) on this outing, but then, it took me 4 days to fully recuperate, not from pain, but from sleep deprivation. I can handle living off of 2 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, until I go to sleep, and then it's like I'm dying and will never be fully rested ever again.

So, here's the plan. I'm doing this again next fall. You can join me, or I'll just do it alone.