It was October 23rd, 2023 when I first hiked the 1,141 feet of elevation gain to reach Humpback Rocks. That much elevation gain doesn’t sound like too much but the whole hike is a steep strenuous climb for 0.9 miles. At this point I was 16 weeks pregnant and finally felt “normal” in pregnancy again. My energy was back and I could look at food without feeling nauseous. The worst symptom I was experiencing was the sudden increased acne on my face, but despite it, I felt like this pregnancy thing wasn’t so bad.

My brother was in town from Oklahoma City and he suggested we meet up here for a sunrise hike. I agreed to it and ended up having to be awake the whole night for a patient in labor at the birthing center I was apprenticing at. 

When we started that hike I was surprised at its steepness. The sign at the beginning of the trailhead claimed it was a “walk” up for about 40 minutes. The “walk” was hard and I took plenty of breaks, but my brother, my husband, and I were able to have a conversation throughout. Towards the top I struggled the most, taking off my hat despite the cold temperature.

We missed the sunrise just barely, but the view was still breathtaking. The crisp, early morning air in October blew our hair wildly. The light in the sky was a hot orange ball just above the mountains, blue broken up by a line of orange in the horizon. The hike was difficult but achievable with little sleep.

The next time my husband and I did this hike, it wasn’t early in the morning, and it wasn’t any easier. It was March 18th, 2024 and I was 37 weeks pregnant. I was at that point where I could have safely given birth to a full term baby at any moment. Aspen’s head had been lodged painfully in my hips for a week, I had lost my mucus plug, and I had never felt heavier. Now when I said I took breaks on the trek before, it was significantly less than this time around. This hike had me stopping to catch my breath and slow my heart every tenth of a mile. I felt somewhat embarrassed that I was having such a difficult time. Talking was not an option, and continuing on without a breather was not an option either. It was still cold outside, if not colder than before, but I hardly needed that jacket. 

The whole time I was thinking about how my mom was hiking in Colorado around the time when my older sister was due, and I thought to myself this is not an 8000 plus foot mountain, so this should have been a piece of cake. I thought to myself, ‘how cool would I be if I made it?’ As people passed us I thought to myself, ‘they must be so impressed,’ when in reality no one cared or probably even noticed me.

We made it to the top and I was so proud of myself. My body was capable of so much even this far along in pregnancy. There was a group of people up there and the wind was noticeably blustery so we hid behind the shelter of a rock while we had some snacks and I cooled down. One of the other hikers asked us if we wanted a picture together and I shot it down so fast. I didn’t want to see what I looked like, as huge as I felt, with a red face from the exertion. Now I wish I had gotten that photo. The view was beautiful and it was a photo I could treasure later on. The way down wasn’t easier, in fact it was significantly more difficult for me. My hips were aching with the change in incline and the pressure Aspen was putting on me as I walked. The descent took more time than the ascent. I went home that day sore, but full of pride. Part of me was hoping the exercise would encourage labor to come along sooner, but it did nothing of the sort.

The last trip we took there was this July in the middle of the day. Jackets were completely unnecessary and in this case, even tshirts were too much. I was about 3.5 months postpartum, and at this point I felt like I was mostly healed. I was feeling strong and healthy and I had been carrying Aspen around the neighborhood in her Ergo Baby carrier for several months. At first the hills had made me breathless, but I was now at the point where I hardly noticed the strain on my hips and legs or had any difficulty with my breathing. However, hikes are different. 

Since giving birth, this was the third time I had gone hiking and carrying her. I was sure it would be less difficult than it was at 37 weeks pregnant. I did not take into account her 13 pounds, the hotter weather, and the energy expenditure necessary for breastfeeding a baby. I still needed to stop every tenth of a mile, sometimes even less. People were passing us by much more often. I had barely made it half a mile before handing her over for Brycen to carry. Of course he carried her without a change in effort or pace and despite this, not carrying her the rest of the way was more difficult. I thought to myself, didn’t I do this 37 weeks pregnant? 

We did make it to the top again, the breeze a comfort. There were more people than on the previous trips, and even a couple of dogs. We munched on our cheese sticks and carrots, looking around at the view we recognized. If you looked down you could see the Blue Ridge Parkway winding through the mountains. In the distance you could see a storm coming in, the rainfall covering the horizon to the point where you could not see neighboring mountains.

After a diaper change we noticed the storm was getting closer faster than anticipated. However, we figured it was coming fast so it would pass quickly. Aspen needed to eat so we found a place lower down in the trees where hopefully we wouldn’t get too wet from the rain. Unfortunately, that did not save us. An instant deluge hit us before Aspen could even latch. Brycen scooped her up and headed down the mountain. I stumbled slowly behind him until I couldn’t see them anymore. I did not have a hat, and my glasses got drenched as well as fogged up. I’m not too great at going downhill, my shoes don’t have the best grip and I’m somewhat anxious about slipping so my steps down were tentative. I was soaked and I was not able to see clearly, but the rain was helping to cool me down.

As the storm hit us at the top, a couple who were hiking barefoot had just made it to where we were. They passed us, remarking how cool it was we had brought a baby. I told them they were the impressive ones walking barefoot, especially with the gravelly rocks towards the start of the hike. As I was going down slowly, trying not to slip on the slick rocks they passed me. They were playing music from their speaker, and I found myself smiling when they played Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo and Stitch. I realized later by the words painted on their car windows, they were newlyweds. 

I made it to the car after Brycen. He had long closed the windows we had left open, and changed Aspen out of her clothes. We did not have any towels or rain jackets. I did however have a poncho or two stowed in my car. Which was very convenient for us after the fact. 

We sat in the car as I fed her. We were laughing, talking about the experience and fogging up the inside of the car. She was so happy, smiling at me like she does sometimes when she eats. The rain had hardly phased her one bit. She reminds me often that there’s joy even in the storm. 

I learned a few things from this trip. Mostly that I shouldn’t underestimate the time needed to heal postpartum. Just because I felt healed, doesn’t mean my body had returned to its normal. It probably won’t for quite awhile, and that’s okay because Aspen is worth the healing journey. I also might need to wear a hat and bring that poncho with me just in case. 

I’ve also learned in this postpartum journey that there is a lot you can plan for but you’re bound to forget something, even something obvious as preparing for weather. It can be so easy to get frustrated and let that overshadow the experience, especially trying all these things as a first time mom. Aspen continues to teach me that I’m never completely prepared and I’m not sure I ever will be but I won’t let the unexpected ruin these precious experiences with her. 

If you’re ever in Virginia, definitely do this hike. The pain is worth the elevation gain and the view.

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