Tuesday, August 21st was the culmination of all our training hikes this year (15 in total) as we successfully hiked to the summit of our first 14'er, Grays Peak making this our 16th hike of the year! (Check one off the bucket list!) The hike was a total of 8.5 miles round trip and had an elevation gain of 3,000'. This was by far, the most difficult hike yet but was the most rewarding when it comes to scenic beauty! It was probably the second most difficult thing I've ever done, second only to childbirth!
We were supposed to do the hike on Monday with our usual hiking group but the weather wasn't good, so it was postponed until late in the week (Friday). We checked the weather late in the afternoon on Monday for the upcoming week and saw that Tuesday was the best day for the rest of the week. So, in a spur of the moment decision, Mark and I decided that we needed to try to do the hike on Tuesday in the event next week's weather didn't cooperate either. Besides, our schedule changed for next week and it didn't look like we'd even have an opportunity to do it! And, after training all spring and summer for this hike, we didn't want to lose the chance to hike it before the snow starts falling!
We should have sent an email as a courtesy to tell our hiking group, but it just didn't cross my mind. I thought they would be happy if we accomplished it. Instead, there were hurt feelings that they weren't there, too. I'm sorry for that; it certainly wasn't our intention to slight them. Looking back on it, I think it was nice to have that special moment--that special accomplishment with just the two of us...makes it even more meaningful!
It took us 4.5 hours to get to the summit and 3.5 hours to descend and get back to the trailhead. I had no problem with my legs or anything going up, but, by the time we hit (I'm guessing) 13,500', I had difficulty getting big breaths of air into my lungs. So, I started taking smaller steps and stopped after about 100 feet to rest briefly and to breathe deeply. I did this the rest of the way to the summit. (I noticed almost all of the other hikers were doing the same!)
It was funny, when I walked onto the summit, I was so surprised we were there! It just came upon us suddenly! Boy, it was such a relief to make it and I found I had no problems breathing just standing on the summit! And, what amazing views!!! I wish everyone had the opportunity and ability to see what we've seen! What a special sight! I can see why John Denver wrote "Rocky Mountain High"...all the summits are so awesome! Looking out as far as you can see, mountain top after mountain top, mountain lakes and meadows...simply amazing!!! The beauty, the peacefulness...truly a gift from God!
Going down the mountain was very difficult, much harder than the ascent! It was so steep and rocky that by the time we had about a mile left to go, I couldn't stop walking because if I did, my quads shook uncontrollably!
Check out the link to the pictures on the right. It was such a rocky, steep trail that at times I could imagine that I was walking on the moon or Mars!
Immediately after completing the hike, I had thought that would be my first and last 14'er. But, I don't think so now. There is too much beauty out there to not do it again! We are planning on doing a 13'er (13,000+ feet) on Monday (and may do two in a row if we have the energy and weather continues to look good). Chiquita Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park is 13,069' and from there is a saddle to Ypsilon Mountain (13,514'). We'll see how it goes!
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