Hike to Mission Peak: Test of stamina

Today was the day! Many people told me hiking to Mission Peak is something what they have enjoyed and is a good test of stamina and hiking skills. Some people have even returned from the middle ways from where they just couldn't go ahead. Some people scared me "drink a lot of water", "make sure you carry less items", "oh! it is very tough", "hope that you complete it" Sigh!

I want to share my experience from today's hike to mission peak. I decided with group of friends to go to mission peak today morning. I prepared my backpack with following stuff:

• Small Towel
• A Big bottle of water
• Couple of banana (potassium helps relax muscles)
• A bread-butter sandwich
• Couple of protein bars

I wore my performance shorts and tshirt so that I can be light and comfortable. We planned to meet at 6AM but some members from group were late and we were able to start by 6:35 AM. Finally we started the hike, initially it was moderate and then it started getting steeper and that is when fun starts ☺. We did take few stops in between.  As I was going up I realized it is getting more steeper and steeper. I was told that the hike is six miles and I assumed it is six miles each way. This made me hike conservatively and consume less energy and reserve more for later use. When we were a mile away we learned it is actually 3 miles hike ☺. The last mile was a lot more fun than the rest because of rocky and adventurous in nature. I enjoyed last mile and completed it with one stop. In few minutes we were at mission peak!

I enjoyed and I feel the my determination to complete the hike and reach to the top helped a lot. Here are few things I feel I should be doing different next time.

• Buy a good camel backpack (small and compact)
• Keep only needed food
• Sunscreen
• Gatorade or Red Bull will help
• Less stops 
• Hike at moderate speed for first mile, then be aggressive for next one mile by a notch or couple and stretch hard for last one mile
• Rest for enough time at the peak and then try to come down in lesser time and faster pace.
• It is fun to go with the group of people you know.

I will certainly share my thoughts when I go next and will definitely encourage anyone who has been wanting to go to hike to Mission Peak. Go with open mind and strong determination to conquer it. Good luck!