What a day! Today was the height of Golden Week in the mountains of North Central Washington. Northern Larch trees are one of only two conifers in North America that lose their needles in Fall.
Each October, people come from Seattle to see it. Northern Larch needles turn a glorious, bright gold before falling. When wind blows off the needles, it creates a golden path. Golden Larch needles look like flowers up close.
Karen, Connie, Marie and I climbed to the summit of Mission Ridge Ski Area, Wenatchee, WA. We hiked eleven miles total with over two thousand feet of elevation gain and loss.
At first, we walked up the steep gravel service road. Golden Larch at every turn. "Let's take a shortcut," Karen said. She led us up three double-black-diamond, extremely steep ski runs. Descending the same ski runs was dangerous, too. This was a tough hike.
To my dismay, my calf muscles were painfully cramping and spasming from the exertion. Emergen-C electrolyte replacement powder instantly stops my muscle spasms. Poured the orange powder into my palm and licked it off. Washed it down with water. (Note to self: bring a cup and spoon to stir.) On the descent, my right calf muscle cramped again. I ignored it and continued downhill.
The descent was so steep, we were slipping and sliding. Gravel was like ball bearings underfoot. With osteoporosis if I fall, I could break a bone. To make matters worse, traction was worn down on my boots. My hiking boots last 900-miles, about three years. Already have new boots.
Karen is moving to Yakima this week. I will miss her badly. Had fun talking and laughing with Connie whose career was in the U.S. Forest Service. She lives near me. Connie and I plan to hike once a week together. Hooray!
Home at last. First I took a muscle relaxant. It felt good to strip off damp clothes. With high exertion, my clothes get soaked with sweat which then freezes. Shivered all day in the strong, cold wind. With three women raring to go, didn't want to make them wait while I changed clothes.
Felt overjoyed to have homemade chicken-vegetable soup in the refrigerator. Hot soup warmed me up.
Around here, pickle juice is a tried and true favorite for keeping the cramps at bay. You'd be surprised how good that stuff tastes when you are depleted
I don't like pickles. Yuck.
@LiterateHiker That could present a problem. I used to feel the same way about them. I couldn't figure out why my aunt pickled everything, but after a few years in the sweltering heat in Arkansas, I figured out why. If you drink straight water around here, it'll come out of you faster than you can put it in without salt ,electrolytes and minerals.. I can imagine climbing up that kind of ski hill, but down would be murder
I used to have exactly the same problem with my bike riding. Really started to cramp around the 90 minute mark. I started taking a product called Extend on advice from a friend, it has electrolytes and amino acids. Not only did it eliminate the cramps but it drastically eliminated muscle soreness the next day. I've tried a series experiment, sometimes taking and sometimes not, comparing results and the results indicate that it works for me.
Thank you! I will look for Extend.
A friend of a friend had problems with muscle cramping that she resolved by consuming extra potassium. She used a product called Nu Salt, mixes a teaspoon in water. Just a thought as it would be a less expensive alternative.
Thank you! I will try Nu Salt.
Today I got a potassium supplement and will take it twice/day.
@LiterateHiker Good luck.
The golden larch trees are so pretty! Sorry you had problems with cramps and cold.
Thank you.
As before, I GREATLY admire your energy.
Thank you.
Bring Gatorade next time
Gatorade doesn't work for me.
@LiterateHiker Ok potassium powder
Emergen-C includes 200 mg of potassium.
@LiterateHiker Potassium supplements are higher
Thanks, I'll look for potassium supplements. Gatorade has too much sodium and sugar.
@LiterateHiker Chloey Turner of Riverdance repute uses beet, apple, ginger and carrot in her pre-dance power drink.
Interesting.