Carving my path: Mt Nebo - Triple Summit Report

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” 

― Henry David Thoreau

The past couple weeks I have found myself in a funky mood.  I think between post 'Ironman Blues'  (yes, it is for REAL) and some unexpected changes with friendships, I've been having a hard to being the positive Christie that I usually am.

So-   Being 'off-season' I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take Sr. Thoreau's repeated 'single footsteps' advice and revisit the highest peak on the Wasatch Front.  

Mt Nebo is comprised of 3 main peaks.  In order to complete the 'Triple Crown,' you need to summit each one. Elevation range 6500-11,900, 7700 gain, ~19 miles   

'South to North Route'

We started bright dark and early at Andrew's Ridge trailhead.  

The trail leading up to the south peak immediately starts out steep.  We were with headlamps for the first few miles and managed to wonder off the trail for ~.5 mile.   

This meant hacking through some scrub trees and thorny bushes.  (Hate that!!!)

Yes I am still sporting my IM Wristband :D

Once we worked our way up the switchbacks to the ridgeline, all three peaks were in clear view.  Summiting the south peak is not technical whatsoever but it is steep and you can feel the lack of oxygen.  

Signed our names in the book at the top and headed for #2. 

We traversed along the west side of the ridgeline.  This area had a few scree-covered slopes to ascend/descend... nothing too bad.  A little bit of snow here and there as well.  

I remember back in 2012 being pretty dang scared of falling down the cliff on this section.  This time I was nowhere near as nervous.

 At the top of #2, we spotted a group of massive mountain goats.  Sweet!!

Last year, we took the west trail to reach the final summit.  Today, we decided to make our way to the top of North Peak staying right on top the Ridge/slight East side.  

It felt great making it to the top of the final climb!

 Highest point on the Wasatch Mountains

After having a lunch break, we started our descent.  It is a little rocky.  

Nothing difficult enough to be called 'scrambling' though.  

 Once down that initial drop off, all the hard work was done.  It was just clicking off the miles back to the car... step after step after step.  

After we hit the Monument Trailhead, we walked under a mile on the road before dropping down (more bush beatings to the body, yikes!) to the river bottom where there is a well defined trail (Salt Creek). This area along the river is freaking gorgeous!  Full tree coverage, saw several deer, quiet and peaceful.

  

Really great day! Finished off with a huge high five with my dad!!  I think it is funny how drained you can be after something like today but also recharged at the same time.  

..I approached the bottom of this massive mountain feeling small and down.  After several steps forward and several positive thoughts, I left feeling optimistic and higher than Mt Nebo!

xoxo