25%

In this post, kind of a New Year's Resolution type post, I stated the ridiculous idea that I was going to hike to the Y east of Provo 52 times this year. That's once a week for those of you who are chronologically challenged.
This 1000 foot climb is a nicely groomed trail, often populated by families, scout groups, coeds wearing flip-flops, old ladies wearing pink sweats and topless grandpas.
At an average slope of 17%, this is steeper than pretty much any road around. Down is just as strenuous as up- the strain on your knees and feet is pretty harsh. It can be a pretty intense workout. My lungs and heart are slowly adjusting to the stresses. My knees and legs are in pretty good shape, considering 2 years ago I couldn't make it to the top every time I attempted it. I can make it now. And I finally feel like I've mastered it.
Well, we are now a little over 1/3 through the year, and I've just hit 25% of my goal. The snowy, cold months at the top of the calendar year don't make it easy to keep up this kind of schedule. I do have until about Christmas to get it all completed. (2 years ago I spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve on the Y)
I started a long time before the weather really allowed for it, hiking my first couple times up in snow, mud and ice.
I usually listen to music, entrancing myself and soundtracking the experience. I've had some very serendipitous experiences, some of which give me chills and some that reduce me to tears. And I'm not going to relate them here. That's personal stuff. Wouldn't want you all to think I'm a ninny.

Here's a log of the first 13 trips:
1- 2/13 3pm 56 deg. trail half mud, 1/3 snow. Guy sitting near the Y, singing at the top of his lungs, pure joy. 1 hr up. 32 mins down.
2- 3/6 8:30am 44 deg. Racing the rain. 45 up. Snow starts at the top. 33 minutes down.
3- 3/31 1:20pm 61 deg trail dry. 50 mins up. Downright pleasant. Light breeze from the north. 33 mins down
4- 4/2 3:15pm 73 deg saturday. Lots of cars at trailhead. Kids and families. 12 mins to turn 2. Water me.rain turn 3. Run 5-6. 34 mins to turn 10. Turn 12 question: here or up one more. Answer from ipod: new order "Turn" 42 mins to top. Wind blows. Time to leave. 4:05pm 33 mins down. Knees best yet. Heels feel blistery. They are blistery.
5- 4/11 1:50pm 55 deg. Looks snowy from the parking lot. Turn 7 rocks 23 mins. Phone calls at 5 and 8.5. Mud above turn 7. Slush and mud after 9. 44 minutes to top.
2:50 start down. 30 min down.
6- 4/12 11:26Am. Snow level better. 50 deg rain coming. 10% season at turn 2. 11:34am. 11:51 turn 7 rocks. 12:11 top. 45 mins. 12:20 depart. Strange junkie withdrawal couple. 32 mins down.
I think I sprained my toe. Sore muscles. Was intending on every day. Took 3 day break.
7- 4/16 9:40am Spring Break saturday. What am I thinking?
Oh crap. Well, I can tell how I injured my toe. Abort, abort.
7- 4/24 8:52 am toe sprain better.41 deg. Shroud of cloud. Taking it slow for safety. 9:38 top. 48 mins.10:08 leave top. 38 mins down. 55 deg.
8- 4/26. 6:25pm rain day. Start 6:45. Clear now. Nice cold wind. Team hiking. Uptime unknown Round trip time 1:25.
9- 4/28 4:15pm super family group walk 67 deg. 5:20 top. 1:05? I'm a slacker. 31 mins down with a good long stop.
10- 5/1 11:20am. Snow yesterday. 45 deg. and dry today First day in shorts. 20 mins to 10.4, 20% pause to rest. 12:12 top. 52 mins with good long breaks. 12:23 start down. 12:56 33 mins.
11- 5/6 6:15am. 49 degs. Empty parking lot. 6:55 top. 40 mins. Kid running to top with dog. 7:05 down. 7:38 end 33 mins.
12- 5/8 8:55am 63 degs. Sunday. Clouds are coming. 9:33 top. 38 mins. Blog at 7- rocks. I need a nap. 9:50 head down 10:24 end. 34 mins.
13- 5/9 6:45 pm 46 degrees. Rainy. Muddy. Run turns 4-6. 7:23 top. 38 minutes. Head Clear. Mind Racing. 8:15 bottom 37 minutes