today's WOW shot at 12,000ft

today’s WOW shot at 12,000ft

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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