The Y

So I decided I wanted to hike and since it was last minute I decided to just go by myself. I've never hiked by myself so I kind of wanted to try it out and bring my camera along in an effort to pay attention to details. For anyone who hasn't been to Provo there is a big cement, white painted Y on the mountain above campus. Every year they light it for homecoming. There used to be a tradition of an assembly line up the mountain to paint it too. From far away it looks like this.

So I set off and found out my first mistake pretty quickly which was going in the middle of the day when the sun was out. (I found out later when I got back to my car it was 98 degrees) The Y hike is deceiving - it's short, but it's all steep switchbacks so it's harder than it seems.

This small group of girls I kept leap frogging ended up turning back, which is ridiculous because it's not THAT bad. There were points where I felt like I was going to barf between the dry air, heat, and incline, so I took my time to take pictures along the way.






Along the way at some switchback turns you see signs like this, but it doesn't give you any idea of how much longer you have to go.

Then I decided to try and take a self timer of myself. After many unsuccessful attempts I ended up with this, squatting cause I kept cutting my head off. It looks like I'm naked, but I swear I'm wearing shorts and a tank top.

It was about halfway when I had stopped to take pictures and then this guy stopped near me hiking alone also. I tried to keep myself busy waiting until he started again, so I wouldn't have to hike near him, but I could only take pictures for so long. So as soon as I stopped, like I figured he would, he starts a conversation with "Are you a photographer?" Now it was either try and make an excuse to get out of walking together, but none seem valid - saying you're turning back would be embarrassing and you both have the same destination. So I started walking and once I did he did too. Seeing how I was stuck in this situation I made the best of it and tried to make conversation. I do like to meet new people, but I kind of wanted to do my own thing. He said he hikes the Y every day and I wonder how many people he's met.

So we finally made it to the bottom of the Y. It's always fun to look out over Provo and be able to pick things out like campus, the football stadium, my house, etc.

Looking up the Y - It's pretty big when you're right there.

The parking lot far below, but not too bad though since I could still pick out my car.


By the time I got back I was exhausted and drank a lot of water even though I had a water bottle with me. The guy I met walked the whole way down with me too. Going down is one of the best parts because you see everyone making their way up and get to lie that it's closer than it is to help them stay motivated. It's hard to be when it's 98 degrees.