One of the last weekends in July, everyone (Lindsey, Alison, Jimmy, Z, Dave and myself) finally had a flexible enough schedule for us all to climb Mount Lindsey (14,042 ft) together. Although the drive to the mountain was a great adventure on its own, we all were able to meet up at the same location around the same time (even though some left hours ahead of the others). The first dirt road was a lot of fun driving in at night. Not knowing how steep the dropoffs were or how deep the streams were added to the excitement. On a couple occasions, I needed to get out and wade though the water to make sure the Blazer would make it. Continue reading “Mount Lindsey (14er)”
On Memorial Day, after a weekend of being very unhealthy, a small party of us decided to the hike Pikes Peak from the Westerly side. This came to be after a late night call on Sunday from Ben and Amanda looking for a hike. After deciding not to do the hellish 26 mile trek that is Barr Trail, we set off in the morning for the Crags of Pikes Peak.
Mt Princeton Hot-springs is a little hill side resort next to several hot and bubbling springs. The resort has a old school feel with separate buildings scattered across the grounds. The main draw of the area is the natural hot springs which turn the creek bed into 30+ bubbling pools. The water is heated to temperatures from 90-130 degrees by several thermal vents from far below the surface.
Over Labor Day weekend, I tagged along with Ben to go on a camping trip. The trip was initially set to hike the 4 pass loop in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass area. The total trip was to be a 28-29 mile slog, but do to some injuries along the way we decide to just to an out and back to the Snowmass Lake only 24 miles.
The trip started from the Maroon Bells View area (9,580 feet). This was a heavily touristed area, and allowed the visitors to Aspen a chance to see some of \the true ruggedness of the range. The first couple miles of the trail took us to crater lake. This trail was frequented by the very prolific species that is the the”Aspen Cougar”. Walking up the trail, you felt the constant glare of the predatory species. Amanda (Ben’s Girlfriend) received numerous compliments from the Cougars for hiking with “3 young men.”
So on Wednesdays (every now and then) , I’m going to try and give a little story about a past adventure. For the first installment, I thought I’d talked about one of my first climbs on a 14er (14,000ft mt.) in Colorado.
Now my memories is a bit fuzzy on the detail of the trip, as it occurred back in the summer of 2007, during my initial internship out in Colorado. I met up with my friend Ben from, Boulder, Co, and couple of his buddies. We head to southern Colorado, to a mountain called “Mt. Blanca”. Mt Blanca is located just south of the Sand-Dunes in Colorado and is surrounded by several other 14er neighbors, “Little Bear”, “Ellingwood Point” and “Mt. Lindsey”.
At the start of the trip, we slept at the foot of the trail and mountain. Early in morning(around 4-5AM) we took off to trek a extreme 4×4 trail to the next base camp. The trail was very rugged and tretrous at parts. Narrow drop offs, epic views, and abandon cabins littered the trail as you continue to climb higher and higher into the air.
We setup base camp at around 11,800 feet, after starting out at 8,000ft and traveling about 7 miles. Base camp was great. It had such majestic views and tranquil surroundings. The part that I enjoyed the most, was wandering around and exploring old cabins and abandon gold mines. After camp was setup, we decided to continue along and try to ascend the rest of Mt. Blanca in one day (tough feat, about 10 miles one way).
The second leg was extremely beautiful. Alpine lakes, craggy rocks, and the tease of fog hiding our final destination. We had about 2,500ft left to go. Some of the views are just speechless….(see below)
less the trip was cut short when we were 100ft from the top. An extreme lightning storm swept and destroyed any hope of making it to the top that day. We decided that not being lit up was a better choice than claiming the ascent. So we went back the 3 miles to base camp and made some dinner and slept. I was hit with a bit altitude sickness, so I didn’t get to climb it again the next morning. But the others in my group got the chance.
I hope to make it back there some day and conquer Little Bear. It is said to be the hardest 14er there is.
The Roof was quite comfy to sleep onAlpine WaterfallAbandon CabinAlittle Alpine Champange CelebrationYou needed a real 4×4 to get up this road. (no honda accords allowed)View from Base CampThe start of the journeyThe edge of the stormBack towards base campLooking back at the valley we traveled upView from the knife’s edge
