I had surgery on Cinco de Mayo and six weeks after began my interminable physical therapy to try to regain some of the mobility in my right shoulder. It has been slow, and I am continuing weekly physical therapy and dry needling sessions. I will never regain all of my previous mobility; that is impossible with RTSA (Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty), but hope one day to again hike Picacho Peak, as well as other challenging hikes that require upper-body strength.
Thankfully, Wasson Peak is no such hike. While there is substantial elevation gain, one needs only strong legs and lungs, and balance enough to navigate rocky switchbacks—and I apparently still possess those—even after recently completing my 69th solar orbit.
I have been using Wasson as a first and last hike of the season for a few years now, and I am glad I got this one in the books. I wasn't sure about two miles in if I could make it to the top, after a little fatigue and wobbly legs, but I got stronger as I climbed. Today I feel few ill effects of yesterday's outing—a great sign.
I was joined by my Michigander pal Jack who, at 13 years my junior and very fit, was a welcomed companion (and measure of my own fitness).
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| Looking northwest toward the Santa Catalinas. |
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(Photo by Jack Byers) |
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| Jack. |
