Chris, Trevor and I headed to Leadville at 3:30 pm on Friday and pulled into the driveway back in Highlands Ranch at 6:30 pm on Saturday. The highlight of our 27 hours away from home was a very challenging and exhausting hike to the summit of Mount Elbert. Mount Elbert is the 2nd highest peak (elevation of 14,440) in the contiguous United States and has a steep incline. Adding to the challenging nature of the hike were really cold temperatures, strong winds and more snow and ice than we had anticipated. Our footing was, needless to say, uncertain at times. Nothing adds to the effort of a hike like having to break through snow. We had taken our snow shoes but decided not to take them on the hike. Life lesson - be overprepared and 'if in doubt' err on the side of caution. Better to have a tool and not need it, than to need a tool and not have it.
At the end of the day we had hiked 8 miles, climbed more than 4,400 feet, and spent nearly 8 hours summiting Mount Elbert. I was literally at a point of physical exhaustion. More than once I questioned whether I could get back to the car. There was a point in time in which we set the goal of climbing just 25 steps before having to stop and catch our breath.
It was so windy at the summit we could only appreciate the view - which was spectacular - for 5 minutes before heading down the mountain. I worried we were going to be blown off the mountain.
We felt a great deal of satisfaction as we drove home. The hike was like a marathon, there is a point (or many points) when your mind tells you that you cannot finish. However, put one foot in front of the other and you will get home.
View from the top . . . .
View from the top . . . .
Day #13 - Mt. Elbert Hike, 8 Miles, 4,400 Feet Climb in Elevation, 8 Hours.
Sounds like a great hike. I can run to the highest peak around me in about 35 minutes.
ReplyDeleteNo problem - do it 7 times. Let us know when you are in town and we will schedule a climb.
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