Three months ago, my wife and I were planning a trip to the mountains Colorado. From what I understand, there are mountains there, and they are high. Some have climbed above 14,000 feet, earning the status of "14er." I have no intention of joining one. My wife had a different opinion on the matter and suggested not only hiking the 14er, but also climbing the highest mountain, Mt. Elbert.
Description
At 14,433 feet, Mt. Elbert is the highest peak in the spectacular Sawatch Range in the Mountains. Elbert can be recognized by its pyramidal shape, the canal draining its left side, and the slope on the right side. Although it is the second tallest mountain in the United States, in terms of difficulty, Elbert is an easy hike.
Things That Could Kill Us
Despite my apprehensions, my wife and I rushed out of bed at 4am on August 16 and drove to the Mt. Elbert trailhead. We had to start early to avoid being struck by lightning. Solar eclipses are a popular phenomenon in the Rockies, and if you step above the tree line during one of them, you could blow to death. We read it.
When I learned that it was possible to die from arson, I began to imagine other dangers: hunger, cold feet, bear attacks, etc. My wife is a great planner and makes sure we are prepared for such a crisis. Unfortunately, preparing means getting more. Something heavy.
That morning, at the start of the trail, I had with me: Salomon hiking boots, wool socks, removable pants, a bright shirt, a mountain fleece, a Patagonia jacket. thin, spreading bear (obviously), binoculars. , a good first aid kit can be an emergency room, salt food, water, lamp, bag of different tools (if I want to build a house), cane, sunglasses, sunscreen, lotion in hand, more water, gloves, beanie and of course my school hat. My travel hat is the shape and color of a safari hat but has a thin fabric that sticks to your head and ductile wire at the brim. If you want people to respect you, I don't recommend wearing this hat. The first step
We started early at 5:30 am. As we walked, we smelled the sweet smell of balsam from the trees. As the sun rose, I saw that we were passing through a forest of spruce, fir and pine.
As time passed, we passed other travelers along the way. I can't help but notice their obvious lack of resources. A young woman in gym shorts and tennis shoes; another has no shoes; we also saw a ten-year-old with no color. Pikas in the tundra
Walking above the tree line took longer than I wanted. Height makes you calm, I think. But finally, we reached the edge of the forest.
From there we headed over the alpine tundra, where no trees grow. The hillsides were as wide and empty as the land of Kansas. Scattered wildflowers were just popping up from the ground in the purple meadow. Oxygen reserves decrease as we ascend. All the while my gut was screaming for help. Perhaps my biggest challenge of the day was finding the right way to ride in the tundra. Thankfully, we found some rocks. "Perhaps the most important challenge is a beautiful way for Piss and Tundra."
When I keep my wound behind the rock, I heard one aprint. Each second, the sound returned. I looked up and saw a small creature huddled on a rock, looking at me and taking out its bark. It looks like a creepy, hairy, tailless mouse with big ears. It's beautiful.
I later learned that the person who lives on the top of this hill is called a pika. They live at high altitudes, in part because their furry little bodies need fresh air every year.
Our friends stumbled and pushed us around the other way. The worst stage
Somewhere after the 13,000 foot mark, we stopped at the bottom of an almost vertical slope full of rocks and rubble. From where we were, it looked like the final climb. This is not the case. The true mountain stands far back above and behind the mountain.
This walking leg would make me a slow, lazy boy. I lifted one leg, leaning on my cane in a painful waddle. My breath caught up and it started. Pain shot through my back and twisted my thigh. I will probably fall back and beat my wife. This was probably the slowest hike I've ever done in my life. Anyway, I didn't last long to get to the top of the mountain. Since we focused on the real mountain, we continued walking. My brain is empty of all ideas. I just walked and stopped for air, then went to another.
Finally, after six hours of hiking, we reached the top of the mountain and set foot on the highest point in Colorado.Summit.
Summit
I would not calculate the gauge at 14,433 feet. It's beyond the visible powers. All around us, stadiums of peaks twist and shake like weathered nerves. Evergreen trees surround the lower hills and cover the canyon behind the Massive Mountains to the north. Deep craters plunge into the La Plata basin, the cliffs looming brutally to the south.
Resting between the Sawatch Range and other mountains, the valley evokes a sense of observation. He kept moving. My voice was muffled in the cold Alpine air. The noise died away as my wife and I kissed. Looking out, behind and in every direction, we seemed to be just two hydrogen atoms in the middle of a vast roaring sea. I think of John Muir. After reading his creative writings, I remember how he climbed mountains alone in the ice and snow. He stayed in the forest for many days, living only on bread and tea and sleeping on a pine tree, always praising God. I laughed as I compared my intense preparation to Muir'slittle one. Still, standing on the mountain, I enjoyed nature with Muir. I feel the joy that comes from seeing the glory that is outside. After a few hours, my wife and I returned to our car. As I took out my bear spray, I thought of two things. First of all, I'm thankful the bear didn't kill me. And secondly, I was happy that my wife took me to the top of Mt. Elbert.