Bruised

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I went and climbed a mountain over the weekend; the South Sister with Unger and Salte-Keyes. It was a beautiful hike, absolutely perfect weather. We started our hike at 7 pm on Saturday just as the sun was setting and backpacked up to a lake where we set up camp. We set off to summit the 10,300 ft. peak the next morning.

There's not a whole lot of interest to say about the experience. It was mountain climbing... tough at times but incredibly beautiful. The last hour and a half was killer, practically straight up red volcanic scree that slipped out from under our feet every time we took a step.

On the way back down I ended up falling with a full day pack strapped to my back and my heavy Canon camera slung around my neck. The added weight of the pack plus the volcanic rock and the awkward way I fell to protect my camera made me come away with the BIGGEST bruise I've ever had. It's the size of my hand from palm to finger tips and it covers most of my upper thigh.

I have to admit, the color formations are slightly fascinating. It's all blotchy with the various center spots of normal color that flower suddenly into red that seems to ooze into a much larger bloom of dark purple/black. Also fascinating is the fact that this bruise hurts like the dickens... still. I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights because the weight of my sheets on my bruise hurts too much. Jeans hurt. Sitting in chairs hurts. Walking definitely hurts. Are bruises supposed to hurt this much?

It's weird. And annoying. Like Chinese water torture actually. Or getting a shot at the doctors offices again and again. Or stubbing your toe repeatedly on the corner of a brick wall.

Stupid bruise.