Churup

On Friday, August 3 we hiked to Lake Churup. It is a spectacular hike and it was my favorite during my time there before. It's not especially easy though. It starts at about 12,000 ft. and climbs to 14,000. There are also several rock faces that require some climbing--nothing significant, but still you have to climb up them. I was really eager to do the hike, but I didn't know if we could manage it having only been in the altitude for 24 hours. It would be a true challenge. We planned to go slow and do our best. So we set out about 10:30. It took us 3 hours to get all the way to the lake. But it was so worth it! The entire hike is one breath-taking view. There were several portions where I had to go just a few steps and then stop for a couple of minutes. But we made it to the top. I love Lake Churup because it's right at the base of Churup (the mountain) and the water is electric blue. It's dazzling and no picture can ever do it justice. It was also FREEZING at the top. We were up there about an hour--ate lunch, took a lot more pics and then headed down. It's so much easier on your lungs but way harder on your knees and thighs to come down. Gravity was pulling much faster than I wanted to go over some of those rocks. We made it to the bottom in 2 hours and were very happy to ride in the van back home. I am not sure I have ever been dirtier. I am still working on getting the black out of my sweatshirt. But it was worth every difficult moment. We had such an excellent time. What an awesome thing to be surrounded by such enormous mountains and remember that our foundation in the Lord is more secure than even they--that He crafted them with His very hands.

OK, there are a lot of pictures so I wil narrate through them. #1 The very beginning of the hike looking into the Quilquay Wanca Valley (next one over from the lake). #2 Me on a big boulder about 10 min. into the hike (we needed a little breather). #3 Me again slightly farther up the hill. #4 Looking up towards the end of the hike with Mt. Churup in the background. #5 Me almost done with the inital hill, but getting closer--the mountains are looking bigger. #6 The only flat part of the hike--what everyone lives for at this point. #7 Looking at the final stage--climbing up the rocks. #8 Me and Kaitlyn. If you notice the background we're almost to the top. There's only one large spot yet to climb. #9 BEAUTIFUL Lake Churup! We made it to the top. #10 All the freezing-cold girls. You can see here how close the lake is to the base of the snow line though. It is really cool. #11 Starting back down. Ben helping Carly in a spot with little hand/foot holds. (what a good big brother). #12 Me climbing down. #13 Finished! Everyone in our group was extremely happy to be here.