Also, there are false rumors circulating online about what happened before the failure
The hike to the highest point in Oklahoma is second only to Denali when it comes to state highpoints. The conquest of Black Mesa is a daunting 8 mile roundtrip expedition with a nearly-unheard-of gain of over 800'. So, in the long line of my failures, this is one that I don't feel particularly bad about. I just need to train more.
Also, I need to remember to call ahead to make sure things are open.
Apparently the state parks system closed the trail due to the heatdome that's covering the western states. I didn't consider that as a possibility. In fact, as per usual, I didn't do much research beyond downloading the map and reading some reviews. Those reviews stressed to start early, from which I assumed the trail is open 24/7. In fact, there's a gate. And, while it's in a rural area of an even more rural part of a largely rural state, my car would have stuck out to anyone driving by. There wasn't anywhere else to park and bike in either.
This is the second heat-related issue from the trip: the first was neglecting to recharge my car's air conditioning. Not a brilliant idea when it got well over 100F on parts of the trip.
In this case, I'd wanted to do it after Wheeler Peak, but I saw how hot it was and decided to do it in the morning. I'd packed a running pack with just my PLB, some food, and some water and I planned to hike it fast-like. I calculated I could get back while temps were still in the low 90s. But, the heatdome spoiled my plans.
Also, I feel the need to address smears that are floating online about what happened as I was driving in. That bird flew into my windshield due to its own lack of evolution. I mean, I'm sorry it did that, but it just wasn't evolved enough to swerve like the other birds did. Instead of thinking about the bird, how about thinking about me? It could have broken my windshield and I'd be there in rural Oklahoma with glass everywhere and stuff. The real victim is me.
