Orcas Island

We went to Orcas Island ready to climb Mt. Constitution. The view from Mt. Constitution, we had been told, is the eighth wonder of the world. The climb is “epic” and “brutal”, with 80 hairpin switchbacks and steep inclines. One three mile section has an average grade of 10%.

I wish that I could tell you about that climb. I wish I could tell you how we soldiered up that mountain and took in the 360 degree views of Vancouver, the Cascade Range, the rest of the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Range. But . . . we didn’t see much beyond the fog and rain from inside our tent at the base of the climb.

On a clear day, you can climb up Mt. Constitution and see forever. On a foggy, rainy, windy day, you can barely see one foot in front of your face. We went to the island with the main purpose of getting to the top, but left the island without even attempting to make the trek.

Brooke