14ers/13ers

You’d think after last weekend’s super long trek to Russia, I’d be kicking back/lying low for a few weeks.  Not true, blame Ash.  Texted a high-altitude pic last week – snow, alpine lakes, Aspens popping yellow.  Autumn in Colorado.  Wanna/hafta/gotta 14er hike before the snow blows…usually that’s September, so this hiker’s on borrowed time.

430am start.  Backpack, pup, treats – packed, all ready to go.  2 hours west on Colorado’s East-West highway (I-70).  Bakerville exit, 8 miles shy of Eisenhower tunnel, east of the Divide.  Mountain road weathered by the long summer hike season – 5 miles of dirt & massive potholes.  Road wash-out 1.2 miles from the trailhead.  Today’s 14er destination: Grays Peak 14,270ft.

My third trip to Grays – first summited September 2012, returned last August (2015).  Good day for a hike.  Summer lightning season’s passed, day’s seasonal snow squall not forecasted ‘til 3pm.

Chilly start; kept Ro leashed thru the first 2 miles of willow thicket.  Easily distracted by ground critters.

Shed layers before the first switchback, crossing & climbing the open Colorado steppe.  Glacier remnants on the peaks, blunted tundra colour, nipping wind, tree line disappears just before 12,000ft.  Mountain heaven.

Left to Grays, slight right to Torreys.  Stopped & took in the landscape.

Not a lotta down time today…Ro was a climbing machine.  Stop, stare, wait for me – then hastily UP UP UP.  Dog on a mission.  Crampon-free day, not enough snow to warrant the trouble.

Summit SUCCESS!  Wind stilled.  Took advantage & soaked in the magic.

Peaks all 4 corners, expansive Lake Dillon to the west.  Ash ice fished there 2 winters back.  Appears I missed leaf peeping by at least 2 weeks.  Would have to slow-lane the ride home to see any remaining Aspen colour (lower elevation along the highway).

Hike day did not disappoint.  WOW.  Just WOW!  LOVE LOVE my Colorado life.

 

Ro update: car ride snooze, followed by his favourite spot on the bed – out ‘til morning.  Heck yeah I’m jealous.  HA!

 

 

Grays Peak 14,270ft

 

 

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

 

Colorado 14er Chart

Colorado 14er Chart

Cozy in my -20 rated sleeping bag, snoozed an extra hour past the 4am iPhone alarm.  Woke energized, rested – result of the night’s cold air/cozy sleeping/early lights-out combination.

Layered up, head lamp on, rucksack ready.  Last 14er climb of 2015 – pumped/excited to check off Massive, [continental] USA peak #3. Roundtrip 15 miles, 4000ft vertical gain – tough day ahead.  Gotta believe this is excellent cross-training for Fall marathon season 🙂

Hit the trail hard, pushed UP the first 2 miles of forest in under an hour.  Crossed South Willow Creek (10,900ft), a mile later Willow Creek (11,000ft) – daybreak now peaking thru towering lodgepole pines.  Zigzagged thru willow thickets, enjoying morning sunshine – gained another 500ft vertical…over 12,000ft [elevation] now, hiking above tree-line.

Next mile-half was the day’s most arduous – lotta wind, no sun, clouds emptied/pelleted snow.  Tough hilly ascent – vertical climb of 1500ft from Grassy Point (12,466ft) to the Saddle (13,900ft).

Up to now, today’s trek had solely been athletic.  At the Saddle, stopped & soaked in landscape – I felt God.  Wind blew, sunshine returned; caught first glimpse of the immense 14er valley on the west side of the ridge line.  WOW!

Straight ahead, a wall of rock – online post stated nothing worse than Class 2.  Hand over hand, scrambled over boulder face UP to the false summit (14,132ft).  Crazy beautiful real estate – every step along the ridge line, high in the clouds.

Descended a few hundred feet before re-ascending nearby Mount Massive.  SUMMIT SUCCESS!  Dropped behind a wall of rock, shielded from blowing wind, breathed in the thin air.  Downed a KIND bar, stood tall & snapped summit pics.

Whatta life, my heart is full.  Today I stand in the clouds.

 

Mt Massive summit clip