On the table for this trip, we lacked snow traverses. We avoided ice climbing and the element of psychosis we have grown accustomed to, but yet, it was one of the most scenic climbs we have ever done.
First was a trip up to Leadville at 10,200 feet. This old mining town is seemingly stuck in time. At least it is suspended high above all of the neighboring towns and overlooks the dauntingly high mountains nearby including Elbert and Massive. It is actually North America's highest city. If only I could spend a summer up there training... if only.
Soon, though, we were driving up the scenic road of CO 82 nearing Independence Pass for a quick overlook before setting camp closer to the trail.
That is La Plata in the middle off in the distance
We managed to find what I would consider to be one of the nicest camp sites I have ever seen. Just feet from the nearby raging river, we set camp, gathered wood, and hunkered down for the night.
A full moon (not on Tuesday!) graced the evening sky, lighting it up as if it was daylight again. Before we knew it, the obnoxious alarm was going off at 4 am... time for the day to begin.
The trail starts on a dirt road (which got Dirt Road Anthem stuck in my head all day...), and then branches off into the forest and gully. River crossings and aspen trees accented the remarkable scent of warming pine as we worked out way up the trail.
Higher and higher, yet we realized we weren't really gaining any altitude. That is, until we realized for the first time which mountain we were shooting for.
It quickly became clear how tough this one might end up being. Though not a technical trail in comparison to what we have gotten used to, the steep endless switchbacks along the class 1 and 2 trails made it more difficult than we had anticipated.
Marmots guided our way as we worked up to the first ridge and realized that we still had a lot of up to go... 2 thousand feet to be exact. This is where the trail became more of a guidance as we went rock over rock near the summit for well over an hour.
It was soon all worth it. The summit put us further into the heart of Colorado's mountains and the Sawatch range than we had yet been. Taking refuge behind the wind wall, we sat at 14,336 feet and gazed off at the looming Mount Elbert and Massive nearby, taunting us to come out for a climb.
Soon. I promise.
After nearly an hour on the summit (the longest rest yet that high) we began downclimbing as the thunderheads built nearby.
Coming down from the summit forced us to look at what was seemingly a perfect setting of fair weather clouds, lush green forest and looming snow capped peaks. I can never grow tired of this, no matter how many peaks we ascend.
After 9 hours of hiking and resting we were back at the car, loading up and already planning the next trip up Longs, to happen just 3 days later.
I was really hoping to bring my new set of wings out too...
Reflections:
Finding the beauty in things even when you think there is none is something too many take for granted. The valley we walked through as we neared the river was accompanied with the fresh scent of pine and flowers. The sun's rays draped through the branches overhead, leaving us on a shaded trail. Water rushed nearby, not stopping for anything and running for months on end. This is the state that I live in, and I don't know how so many can find so little in their surroundings.
Don't eat spicy Mexican food the night before a big hike. Period.
*more about the zen feeling of hiking, living and life for the Longs trip.
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