I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think I’m in pretty good shape. I can easily crank out a 5-6 mile run, I attend multiple spin classes a week, and I’ve upped my yoga to daily sun salutations.
I just like to keep moving.
With that said, there are times when I am humbled by certain physical activities. Weights? Yea right…don’t even ask me to lift. Saturday I was humbled while on a hike, a hike that took a total of 6 hours.
I don’t have many friends these days, by choice. I just don’t know many people that enjoy the activities that I enjoy, and life is too short to waste your time with people that don’t add any value to your life.
I was fortunate enough to discover one of my old coworkers loves to hike as much as I do, so we’ve been hiking…a lot. I don’t dare go alone..
Saturdays hike started out like any other, gradual climb with beautiful views. 3 miles in was a series of waterfalls, the perfect “calm before the storm” of the climb to come. I had no idea what I was in store for.
This is the spot most people turn around at. Well, I’m not most people and I wanted to see the top. Time to activate incline glutes. My hiking partner thought it would be a good idea to bring a 20+lb bag. I thought it would be a good idea to try and carry it. I lasted 10 min.
Into the clouds we go.
Bag of death.
The straight up climb to the summit felt like it lasted for hours. It took us forever to get to the top because the pace was S.L.O.W. So steep. As with all climbs though, the accomplishment is indescribable.
The view at the top was…well…white. We were legit inside of a cloud.
A bit further down.
I never doubted that I would make it to the top, but man was it tough!
This was the first time I had hiked into the night, it was dark by the time we made it back to the car. I wasn’t too worried, I found a potential new house to live in when I move to the Seattle area.
Who wants to throw a housewarming party in here?
My neighbors house. Birds, or possibly a jackalope.
Overall this hike was about 7.5 miles round trip, with an elevation of 4800ft. I think the fact it took 6 hours tells you enough in itself.
What’d I learn this time? 20+ lb bags slow you down, and quitting is never an option. Unless you get eaten by a bear.
Q: Do you like steep climbs, or gradual climbs? I like both…on the same hike. I want to feel the burn, get a small reprieve, THEN BURN AGAIN!
Blissfulbritt 
49 thoughts on “Mount Teneriffe – When Hiking Becomes Humbling”
Nikki
PLEASE DON’T GET EATEN BY A BEAR!!!! Wow, I am so glad you found someone who enjoys hiking with you…how could anyone not want to go see those views?! Beyond beautiful!
sincerelylily
Oh MY GOODNESS. These pics are absolutely breathtaking!!!! You were literally in the clouds…. and i love that you got there by your own two feet and stamina. I don’t have many friends either- just a few good ones that make me happy 🙂 LIke YOUUUUUU.
But back to your amazing achievement, this is pretty darn awesome. I love the shot of you hiking beside the waterfall- um, Pocahontas got nothing on you. Clearly, you are in AMAZING shape. And I love that you were like ‘im going to get to the top!’ yesssssss.
I prefer gradual climbs b/c by the time I notice I’m going uphill, I’m already partically way up. Steep is just like in your face and all …. there. EEEK.
sincerelylily
ps that tree with the cubby hole…. there is a tree like that at the detroit zoo and i have several pics of me squatting in it. everytime i go there, i must take a picture in it. it looks just like this….. so obviously id be okay throwing a housewarming partay there. i’ll start designing invites now.
Brittany
Next time I visit you, we must go see this Detroit Zoo tree. I want to take a classic Lily shot in the tree.
kathy@vodka and soda
we hike the highest, steepest hills that our trails have to offer and because they’re no where near as big as a mountain, we run them. of course, we feel like death after but man, is it exhilarating. i love your hiking tales! i wish we had amazing jazz like that where i am!
Ellie
That is the greatest treehouse ever! Why didn’t you move in?! In regard to your hiking greatness, it’s feels so good to accomplish something you know will be hard but you know you can do as well. I also do not have many friends who like the same things I do (at least during this time I am at home) so finding my trail running partner Mark has been a blessing!
Laur
I want to live in that tree!
Martha B
and life is too short to waste your time with people that don’t add any value to your life <— this. So much.
Fantastic hike, and I think your new house looks pretty cozy. To rent something that size in NYC would probably cost you 10,000 a month. 🙂
Food, Booze, & Baggage
Wow, sounds challenging! Glad you made it! Sounds like it was a good challenge.
Amalia
Your hikes are so wonderful! I wish we could go hiking together.
What humbles me is Ultimate Frisbee. I think I’m a runner, and then I try doing it on and off, sprint style, for 3 hours.
Gah.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
That is a legit hike!!! Wow. I love hiking into clouds. It makes me feel so badass. And you are badass, so that’s fitting! I like steep hikes up but hiking down steep hills kills my shins.
Brittany
……it’s two days later and my thighs are still screaming. Holy hell downhill!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
I have a feeling I might be humbled when I hike in yellowstone…then again it won’t take much since I am SO out of shape! Ah welllll
Lauren
Holy hike!! That’s intense. I would’ve wanted to turn around where most people do, too. In a cloud though — awesome!
Rach @ This Italian Family
I’ll throw you a house warming party there! 😉
Also, you being inside a cloud – epic.
Glad you survived the hike! It looks like it was worth the effort!
karla @ finding my fit
once again breath taking photos and views!
the elevation alone would kill me. i stand at a whopping 800 ft in WI. When I was in CO i was blown away by how winded I was going up two flights of stairs.
Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill
First, you should toot your pen horn, because you are fit! I love when we challenge ourselves and do something difficult like this!
katalysthealth
Oh my gosh this is gorgeous. So so jealous of this!! When it comes for hiking, I want a little bit of everything, I love having to climb a little, hop from rock to rock and just get dirty. When I went camping with my daddy when I was little we would walk along the river next and just rock hop back and forth across the river until we couldn’t go any further. It was awesome.
Ashley
So freaking cool! I can’t even imagine hiking for that long (2 hours is my limit) but I would love to try backpacking someday.
I can relate so much to having like no friends. I just moved to a new state a couple months ago, and even though I like my co-workers, my schedule is so whack and I have no desire to go to bars/clubs, so I pretty much do my own thing and love it. Basically, if I’m not at work I’m outside running or walking, at Whole Foods, hanging out by the pool or at the farmer’s market. Not the coolest 20-something, but I love my life!
Brittany
I’m right there with ya!! I am at home, in bed with my cats by 7-8 PM. No wild crazy nights for me. I’d much rather be alone baha.
Cassy
Congrats on completing it! That sounds brutal! Did your hiking partner bring the 20lb bag for fun or did it have stuff in it? If it was for fun, then that just sounds torturous!
Brittany
It was for….training…ish. HA! We want to do some bigger, longer, overnight hikes that will require bigger baggage so this was a test to see what it would be like. I don’t think we will need that much weight right off the bat though.
Matt @ Runner Savvy
There is nowhere good to hike around here 😦
Change of Pace
Gorgeous photos, again!! Love that you found a friend who likes to hike! I agree- life is too short.
I like a combination, too. Too steep for the whole climb and it’s not fun, but some intense sections and it’s an awesome burn 🙂
ahellams
Sweet jacket/mini dress. I am so jealous of the beautiful places you can go regularly!!
Jayda
Gorgeous pictures! Dying over the hollowed out tree…I wanted to live in one pretty much my entire childhood, and I still kiiind of do 😉 That one looks perfect!
jessielovestorun
Woah now! Look at you upping your hiking skill. You just seem to impress me more & more w/ your gorgeous scenery photos. I’m not sure how old this co-worker of yours is, but heyyyyy how about a possible new guyyy for you 🙂
Brittany
OHH no, this one is definitely just a friend. 🙂 I’m so content being man free, it’s quite wonderful actually.
The Vegan 8
You are seriously amazing! I am so impressed by your amazing hiking abilities. I’m petrified of steep heights. Do you ever get scared you will fall? I know, I know, life is short but I’m just asking because I’m afraid of heights and this is something that a person afraid of heights wonders, lol. Beautiful views obviously worth it. I do love outdoors though and a huge lover of biking. I used to do some serious biking for hours in the woods. It’s been awhile now that I have my daughter, but I miss it. Anyways, I would hope, even though I’m not a hiker, I’d still add value to your life….we could totally get down with some cupcakes together 🙂
Brittany
I try not to put myself in dangerous spots when I’m at the top, and on the trail I’ve slipped here and there, but nothing too crazy!!
You would add so much value to my life, haven’t you ever heard the best way to the heart is through food? We would be eating and laughing all day long.
apartmentwife
housewarming party in the trees? i’ll bring cupcakes. and, also – YOU WERE IN A CLOUD. how cool is that? i’m adding it to my own bucket list.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I’m enjoying your hiking posts and pictures so much because your happiness just shines through, even with twenty pound packs. Hike on with yo’ bad self.
Melanie
I always LOVE all of your hiking pictures! They are sooooo amazing and always make me want to get out and explore. You live in a beautiful place! I love that cool “tree cave” too. So fun!
Choc Chip Uru
You remind me of Pocahontas, cos girl when you hike, you definitely have all the colours of the wind! These photos are incredible 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Brittany
Best comment of the post. Along with the other one about me being like Pocahontas. 🙂
Choc Chip Uru
Ahaha I didn’t even see that one – but hey if it is general consensus, I suppose you have a nickname then 🙂
Ashley
6 hour hike?! WHOA. I’ve actually never been hiking. I was just telling my bf I want to go this summer! I dont think we have any real “mountains” around us so I will assume that it will be 234329x easier than this hike you went on, ha!
Ashley @MilesonOats
Haha and this, “quitting is never an option. Unless you get eaten by a bear” is why I love ya and cyber stalk your social media. Totally normal right? Sigh. 6 hours is insane dude. I would be whooped after that excursion too. I would pay to join ya tho! Flippen’ AZ summer heat doesn’t budge. My hiking window is from 5am-7 am. Womp womp.
Brittany
One summer when I hiked Camelback I puked…twice. We left early enough, but I just wasn’t used to the heat..aaannddd..I didn’t eat before..or drink enough water. It was just a shit show. HA! AZ heat is no joke man!
Amy
Oh my gosh girl, you NEED to go hiking with my dad. Seriously. He trains for his backpacking trips with 20-25 lb packs — you’d fit right in! 😉 Although you have much prettier scenery than he does… Everything is rather brown and dead here in California. Crazy drought and hot summer weather… Love your new house too! Is there another one nearby (not the birds’ one) that I could live in?
Brittany
Your dad sounds so awesome, haha! You can live WITH ME in THIS house, HA!
lucie
Every time I log onto your blog Im actually so envious of the treks you go on – the moutons are just so BEAUTIFUL!
Nicole
Whoa, that hike was no joke!! And I totally agree. I used to run and hike ALL the time… and the hiking was way tougher on me than the running ever was! (Although running does make hiking easier, I suppose). But hiking is still so amazing and fun, because it’s a great workout… but it also comes with a spectacular view! 🙂 You go, Girl!
Luv What You Do
Congrats on your amazing physical and emotional accomplishment! I saw some of the pics on instagram. What an incredible view!
PNWRunner
GIRLLLLLL, I’ve been saying we must go hiking. Please tell me when you want to go. I love doing Mt. Si., Bandara, etc. We must hike soon, not excuses!!! I completely agree that loading your pack will make a difference. Love all your pictures as always.
Brittany
YES YES YES! I know, I actually think about it EVERY time I am in that area!!
thoughtsappear
I’ve only hiked for that long once. Nice job! I’m really bad at going uphill. I refuse to stop until I make it…or pass out.
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
loveeee when you find someone that loves what you love!! I told myself that if I wanted to do something I’m gonna make it happen after finding someone that loves it too! so hoping that i can do outdoorsy stuff like you real soon. cannot wait to plan that trip with my friend! 🙂 cannot wait for more adventures with you and your friend!!!!
Alisha's Appetite
omg brittany if I lived in your neck of the woods (ha, pun intended), I would totes be your friend and hike all of the mountains with youuuuuuu