I have always liked physical challenges nothing dangerous, but
challenging and fun. This was also true
of my buddy John. We biked the Katy
trail from end to end, hiked many trails including some in Arizona and New
Mexico. We were always interested in a
challenge so John and I had trained for this hike all summer. We were
excited to have this challenge to hike the tallest peak in Colorado (one of the
fourteeners). We arrived the day before with our wives (Cindy &
Mimi), this was our vacation but we were taking one day to hike Mount Elbert.
We were staying in a hotel in Breckenridge, Colorado about a 30
minute drive from the mountain. We drove by the day before to be familiar the
trailhead location, since we were planning on leaving early in the morning it
would be dark when we arrived.
I didn't sleep well, excited and nervous about the hike. We
got up early and ate a light breakfast (bagel with cream cheese) not wanting to
feel weighed down by a big meal. We each had our backpacks filled with
the recommended equipment for this hike, figuring it's better to be over
prepared than under. I remember it was cold & dark when we started up the
trial, this would be an 8 mile hike (round trip) at a high altitude. I
started out wearing a light rain jacket, which kept the rain off but also kept
the sweat in and in no time I was dripping with perspiration. This was a
mistake, which added to my anxiety. We hiked at a good steady pace since
we were told that we needed to reach the peak before noon so we would be headed
down the mountain before the afternoon thunderstorms hit which apparently
happened often.
Once it got light I decided it would be a good idea to removed my
jacket, I was feeling a little weak. I had plenty of water in my
camelback and was drinking as we hiked but I had sweated a lot out when my
jacket was on. This was a popular trail and although we started early we
saw a few people on the trail, 2 mountain bikers, a few campers and other
hikers including a slightly built lady that appeared to be in her 70's walking
briskly past us both directions (it was obvious that this was a regular routine
for her). I could tell that John was feeling fine, much better than I
was. Despite this being a well-traveled trail there was still a chance
that you might stumble upon a bear so we were always on the lookout. John
could tell I wasn't feeling good and he offered to carry my backpack, initially
I refused then I accepted his offer a little before we reached the tree line.
The tree line is where the trees stop growing because they can't tolerate
the environment.
The scenery changed drastically once you got above the tree line,
this is where we saw the campers, they had pitched their tents on the edge of
the tree line. The trail traversed back and forth but was easy to follow,
but rocky and steep and with the thin air at this altitude it was harder to
breathe. We continued the hike but I was going at a much slower pace even
though John was carrying my pack. We had been informed about 2 false
peaks on the mountain not to be confused with the actual peak containing a book
you sign to document reaching the peak but unfortunately I was not in any shape
to reach even the 1st false peak. I had altitude sickness, which was
totally unexpected because I had been skiing in Colorado many times and never
imagined this happening. I stopped climbing about 12500 feet. I
told John to go ahead and I would wait for him but John refused saying we were
hiking together, he did decide hike up a short distance to the next turn to get
some pictures but returned and we made our way back down.
My buddy, John carried my backpack all the way down the mountain, thanks
John. Hiking down is not much easier because it's hard on your knees. We
made it back to the trailhead but I did not feel any better, it would take
until the next morning before I recovered.
Even though I got altitude sickness I'm glad we took on this
challenge. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the top but who knows
someday we may try it again and I will be prepared to carry John's backpack if
he needs help.
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