Here she is: Ash Peak. About 10 miles outside of Duncan right on the Graham/Greenlee county line. When I returned from New Zealand it was in late fall and then we went right into winter. That next spring I was going on my first camino. In order to prepare I was going to hike her with our nice neighbor/hairstylist/friend Sunny Perez. She worked in the morning, so we planned to go at 1. It was like I had never hiked in the desert before. I forgot how hot it was and it was scorcher. It was close to 100 F that day. So what did I do? I chose to wear my trusty gore-tex full hiking boots and comfy cushiony wool socks, that I got used to in NZ. It was my first foray into heat in about 2 years. I started feeling dizzy and was a bit sheepish to ask for a break. My feet were so hot. I did eventually admit I needed to stop and there was no shade. So we sat on a large rock. I remember thinking huh, those mountain seemed to be over there and are now moving. Next I knew I woke up about ten feet down the hill. Spraweld out and lying on an old tumbleweed. Scratched and battered but mostly embarrassed. Poor Sunny hadn't had anyone faint around her in awhile if not ever. She was nice about it, but did tell her family so there was no keeping it under wraps as I would have preferred.. It was with great shame I returned to the store to tell them I didn't summit and had scratches on my face, and fell prey to heat exhaustion. It didn't do much for my confidence going on a 500 mile hike either. I now declare I shall conquer her this fall. (as soon as the weather turns cool that is)
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