Santiago peak 🏔️

Howling wind cuts me
Reach summit before midnight
Eyes watch my descent

Gazing down upon the lights reminded me of flying, speckled candles slowly passing by below, an all too distant memory.

For years I have wanted to climb Santiago Peak, the tallest range in Orange County. I attempted to gather several fellowships, but this is a tough hike. New Year’s Eve, I decided to make the trek solo.

I started the ascent too late in the day to return before dark and decided to watch the clock count down from the peak. I was hungry to accomplish one last thing before the end of 2020.

Climbing to the top of a 5,700 ft. sierra in 3 hours 30 minutes was a feat.

At the top it felt like I was on Mt. Everest. Frigid 30º cold and powerful 50mph gusts of wind throwing me around. I almost had to crawl through the wind traversing exposed segments of the trail. It was difficult to walk and impossible to see through the ripping detritus. Snow, ice, and dust blinding my vision. The mountain’s breath howling relentlessly like an airplane’s engines through the tower’s alloy, warning me to get off of the summit.

On the descent, I was relieved to escape the massive gusts and return to warmer temperatures. Halfway down, my headlamp reflected two sets of eyes and large silhouettes just yards away, watching my every move. They were too poised and substantial to be a raccoon or coyote.

Mountain lions.

I pulled my earbuds and drew my knife, continuing the down in the faint glow of moon’s light.

I did learn one critical lesson aside from the dangers of hiking at night and mountain lions.

The body during extreme exercise can do and endure incredible things, but when you start to become dehydrated, these abilities decline almost instantly. Hiking in cold or heat, water is your number #1 friend. If you are getting tired+muscle aches, you’re probably not drinking enough water.