I had a great time today hiking with my family in Pinnacles National Park, as part of our training for the Grand Canyon. The path was steep and narrow at times, but we enjoyed a great view all along. We even spotted condors! Training could be worse, right?


I can now confirm that our shoes are all broken in, our water bladders work, and I’m getting the hang of the walking poles. According to the training plan, this was supposed to be 4h and 1,200 to 1,500 feet of elevation, and we did about that — maybe a little more. Things are only accelerating over the last few weeks.


This was a good occasion to think about what I might be realistically capable of achieving once I’m over the rim. That last hike was hot, but likely not as hot as it will get there. We didn’t start at 7,000 feet, and it was already taxing. It was not exhausting like that one time where Veronique and I naively followed (well-trained) friends on a day hike to the top of that Swiss mountain. But certainly, not a walk in the park.


The good news is that I believe my pericarditis is behind me — no issues to report there. My back, which had been badly damaged during the initial onset of multiple myeloma, seems to recover fairly quickly. Walking with the poles seems to help, as well.

In short, I’m excited — and also slowly realizing what I signed up for!