9-21 
I had done all of the prep work I could for this hike, and had the mindset that I would do as much of it as I could. If I made it to the summit, it would be awesome, but I would just have to wait and see. When I originally started to plan this trip, it did not include a "14er". In fact, I didn't even know what one was until earlier in the year when I started to visit
www.thehikersforum. com , Lighter Fluid's place.
In fact, I owe all of my inspiration to him.
Thank you, my friend....
Anyway, I started out later than I wanted to, but that was ok, I was on vacation, not boot camp. I got on the trail before 9am, multi layered, as it was chilly and only going to get chillier as I ascended. Had plenty of water, good food and "Emergen C". As soon as you cross the trailhead sign at 10,040, you begin to ascend. Hardly any switchbacks either. Up, up, and more
UP. There was a few feet of even ground, here where the Elbert trail cuts off from the Colorado trail..
I was wondering if during my trip whether or not I would suffer from altitude sickness, and luckily had not experienced any of the nausea, headache, or dizziness (hush y'all). Today, I would experience one effect though, shortness of breath and "gumby" legs. Pokey legs would have been better, as I would have an extra pair....
I had to stop....A LOT......drank plenty of water and thought to myself "I don't think there's any training that could simulate this except for doing
this on a regular basis". The gym is fine to keep the lbs. off, and that's about it. You have to train outdoors at what you want to do and mix it up.
I had met up with some fine folks on the trail. The first was a British chap (Shane's relative)
who had attempted Elbert several times before, only to turn back after the altitude had kicked his butt as well. Mind you, Elbert is not a difficult technical climb, in fact, it's listed as "easy" on 14er's.com. Basically, you just walk up.....4700 ft. to reach the summit of 14,433. Mt. Elbert is the highest peak in CO. There are other 14er's that don't require that much of an elevation gain from the trailhead. The second person I met was "Jeff", from Ft. Collins. He was actually from Houston before that and we talked and drank water for a bit. It was then I said "my goal today is to make it above treeline". He went on and so did I. It started to rain and I broke out the rain poncho for about 10 minutes tops. Then, it was bright, sunny and warm. I had already left a hooded sweater that I peeled off on a rock not far from the trailhead. Now I had to peel some more. I would continue to add and subtract clothing for the entire duration of the hike. The weather changes quicker in the high country than any other place I have been. I mean we're talking a matter of a minute or two, it was crazy! As I got closer to the treeline, some hikers started coming down. They had obviously started when I wanted to, LOL....all of them said that at the summit it was hailing/snowing and that the winds nearly knocked them off! I thought "cool".
I was prepared for that even though I knew that I wasn't going there today... After much trudging and enjoying the scenery and solitude, I had finally reached the treeline!
I sat for a bit and took some scenery shots...
Elbert will be there when I come back...
I was happy. I felt great. I had everyone I cared about tucked deep inside my heart with me at that very moment. I could think of no better place to be and cherished every second of that "high"...
Downhill from here! Woohoo!
I headed down to find my sweater on the rock and passed a family who were just frolicking and asked "how far did you go?"......I said above the treeline and they said "wow". That was cool......
My day was far from over as I reached the parking lot around 12:45. I had another glorious drive to Colorado Springs ahead of me! I had planned to drive south on Hwy. 24 to Hwy. 50 if time permitted, but decided to keep on Hwy. 24. By the way, this is pretty darn scenic too! Especially when heading into Woodland Park and Manitou Springs. There are many rock formations that are very "Grapevine Hills-esque". Colorado is basically a huge park/playground. Every few miles there is another sign for a park/recreation area/campground/trail/forest.....you get the picture.
I arrived at my hotel and the clerk was nice but said "the elevator isn't working". I said "I'm on the 1st floor then?" She replied "no, the third"......HAHAHAHAHAHAH
AHAHAHA what's 3 little floors when one has just hiked up and down a few thousand feet! Bring it on!!!!
No biggie. I called up "Scotott", of
The Hikers Forum fame, and asked if dinner was in order. He then informed me that "RMW", also a THF goddess, was in town and would be joining us. I took one of the best shower's of the decade, put some lipstick on and walked across the parking lot to "Old Chicago's". Ordered my Grey Goosey & cranberry and met up with my new friends. Had a yummy dinner and great conversation!
Musey & Scott (snapped by RMW)
I went to bed before 11 and had the first solid night's sleep of the trip....
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhto be continued......
