Turn off to South Lake
SECOND TO LAST CLIMB, DAY#9: SOUTH LAKE AND SABRINA
I’m on my way back to Quebec for the weekend to share in the activities of a hiking day. This was planned a few months ago and I’ve been looking forward to sharing my region of Quebec with everyone that comes out. This special event is for the Nature Conservancy of Canada- Quebec and we hope to raise the much needed funds to protect the area that Peter and I are so fortunate to call home: The Sutton Mountain Range.
Yesterday was the second-to-last day of this epic Climbing Extravaganza. Kathleen, Peter and I marvelled at how a four and a half hour ride up over 6500 ft of climbing could actually feel, for the most part, easy. The weather was perfect- just the right amount of warmth and a sweet tailwind left us feeling ready for the Tour de France while flying uphill in our…actually, now that I think of it, maybe we’re not quite ready for the Tour- I just managed to get out of my 27 yesterday!
my favorite skyline!
It was joy to take in the skyline of Wheeler Crest, Mt.Tom, Four Gables, Basin Mountain and Mt. Humphreys. I feel as if I know these mountains intimately after living in Bishop for three years back in the late 90’s. Peter and I have ridden these climbs countless times, as well as scaled many of the peaks on my days off of riding. We’d pack a bunch of gear and head up into the high Sierra like pack mules, climbing as many peaks possible in those few days off I’d have every other week (climbing by foot as opposed to bike).
Peter at the 9700 ft mark
After reaching the 9700 ft ‘end of the road’ of South Lake, Peter and I descended down to a store at 8300 ft to re-supply and wait for Kathleen who wasn’t far behind. For some stupid reason, I only brought 2 little granola bars for the ride. By the time we were less than a mile from the top, one very steep mile, I was seeing stars and had no more food to replenish the glycogen that I had depleted. Thankfully, the store was open, and while I downed hot chocolate and a snickers bar, the proprietor amused us with his own unique social commentary. This man loved people and seemed happy to have a few to talk to, let alone customers. It was your typical biking experience where a person unloads a ridiculous amount of information of you, a complete stranger, but it’s OK and you leave feeling entertained. The hot chocolate was delicious, too.
Snickers really satisfies!!
After the short break, we descended a bit more and then turned left to begin climbing again, up to the second summit of the day, Lake Sabrina. I almost took myself out trying to take a picture of the sign to Aspendell- a place I always wished to spend a winter. Peter rode harder ahead while Kathleen and I chugged up the hill behind, going hard enough to hear ourselves breath but easy enough to enjoy the scenery.
This picture was taken while I was almost crashing- I rode into the loose gravel on the side of the road!
Enjoying the view and the sunshine above 9000 ft
Fishing can be dangerous
Another great day in our Climbing Extravaganza, and I can hardly believe there is only one more to go when I come back from Quebec next week!
Peter and Kathleen at Lake Sabina
