hiking2christ

My first weekend with TERT – Timpanogos Emergency Response Team on June 29, 2012 is an experience I will never forget. I arrived at the trailhead shack at 3 pm. My team leader Mike and I left the shack at 3:15 pm and headed for our high camp, roughly 10,500 feet. Our starting point was 6, 460 feet. A half-hour into our hike Mike suggested I go on by myself since I could make better time. I was grateful. When I hike by myself I pray for God to join me. I cherish this peaceful time that we have together. It’s during this time he exposes the absolute beauty he is created and I feel extremely loved.

 I cruised for the first 3.5 miles carrying 35 lbs in my pack. There are several shortcut or wandering trails on Timpanogos. One trail took me off the trail to one of the many waterfalls on the mountain. I had to cross a little snowfield that was on the trail. I took a left after the snowfield, crossed a stream, and ended up circling around to the same snowfield.  I ended up back on the main trail and soon came upon a waterfall that I had to go behind to keep going.

Then next 2 miles were a brutal climb. My right knee was experiencing some sharp pain. Mike had told me that high camp was just after hidden lakes and I had to veer right on a foot path to get there. Also, he said if I made it to Emerald lake that I had gone too far. I have never been to the high camp before and I was not surprised when after climbing a brutal hill I gazed upon Emerald lake. I turned around and 10 minutes later spotted Mike and the camp. It took me 4 hours to go 6 miles and climb 4100 feet. I unpacked, made dinner, and took in the spectacular view from our camp.

We woke up the next morning, made breakfast, and headed to Emerald lake to set up our first-aid station. We are there to assist hikers who our lost, dehydrated, and/or injured. When you summit Timpanogos there is a huge snowfield, some people call it a glacier that people slide down. This is where the majority of the injuries happen.

On our way up to Emerald lake we crested the hill and I was surprised to be immediately met by the locals.

We had the blessing of divine intervention over our weekend. Our team which consisted of myself, a team leader, and 2 medics were rookies on the mountain. This was Mike’s first time being a team leader and our first time with TERT. We were thankful no one was injured during our watch. The only excitement we experienced was a coyote running across a snowfield.

We went back to camp, made dinner and enjoyed God’s ending to a perfect day. This was one of the best experiences of my life and I get to do this twice a year. The weather was perfect for the whole weekend. I just thank God and give him all the glory for giving me a chance to serve him and others. It amazes me that he loves me so much to allow my dreams to come true. Thank you Father!