I had a really good start to my 40th birthday year last Saturday climbing 6.5 hours up the East Lions Mountain and 4 back down. It was by far the most difficult thing I’ve done not only physically but trying to keep balance when muscles started to fatigue in spots where falling back or slipping even a little was not an option. The last 3 hours up was more like a rock climb at a 50-60 degree incline. I cried at about the 3 hour point up because my balance was a bit off and at one point I felt myself start to fall back, but I committed and kept going for another 4 hours up. This hike is considered ‘difficult’ as opposed to beginner or intermediate but really should just be rated ‘for crazy people only’ or ‘INSANE’. It’s no joke. So glad I did it and was really good for my self-esteem. Perhaps maybe selling paintings is easier hmmm…not sure…