Change of the seasons is a constant tease – summer for a span of days, quick afternoon storm, snow & winter temps in the evening. Spring is a tough time of year. Don’t get me wrong…I love the snow – just hard to make weekend mountain plans more than 2 days out. Either it’s snowing or I’m marathoning. Good life 🙂
Back on a marathon hiatus after my 50 State finish, this weekend begged ‘thin air’ adventure. [Registered for Sunday’s Colfax Marathon – but still on the fence whether I’m gonna compete…determined to train hard & run injury-free rest of the year.]
2012: my first 14er attempt was Mt Evans, 45 minutes west of Denver. Not expecting to summit today (most likely still a lotta snow) — but convinced mountain air would reset my internal balance. Good to feel small amongst lodgepole pine & snow-capped peaks.
Crazy early start for a Saturday. Ro saw the backpack & started pacing: WE’RE GOING HIKING. Dog stays at my heel, no chance he’s getting left behind. LOL>
Light rain at home, fog past Denver, flurries in Idaho Springs. Trailhead condition: sunshine. FAAANNNTASTIC!
Peeled off the parka, pulled off my cap, fast paced UP the first 4 miles. Temps were crisp, air was thin, the snow patchy – easy footing, hiking boots no crampons.
Lost tree line at 12,000ft & the wind blew. 50 mph headwind, little progress forward. Gusts shifted & I’d push ahead. Bare rock, 15-20ft snow drifts, bare rock again. Crampons on, crampons off, crampons on again.
HUGE smile.
Called it at 7 ½ miles – mile-half from Summit Lake, another 5 to the summit. Beautiful mountain day. Medicine for the soul.
Sunday 4am UPDATE: heck no, I’m not marathoning. Yesterday’s 14er thin-air snow hike kicked my butt. #noregretlife
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