Mt. Democrat Trip Report 08/08/2013

Peak(s):	Mt. Democrat - 14,154 feet
Date Posted:	08/08/2013
Date Climbed:	08/08/2013
Author:	IAmtnclimber

Democrat-My Kids first 14er
My daughter (age 9) has been asking me for a couple years to take her up a 14er. I think she is jealous of my trips to Colorado without her. My son (age 6) up until recently has been more reluctant when it comes to the idea of hiking much less hiking up a 14er. But he came around and about a year ago after returning from my annual trip my wife and I decided it was time to see if they could do it. We prepared them with several hikes in Iowa and with a few days in Steamboat prior to arriving in Keystone we pushed their limits a bit more. They did very well with all of these hikes so I was fairly positive they would be able to reach summit. We arrived at Kite Lake and headed up around the trail around 0740. My daughter had a nervous stomach and was beginning to doubt our chances of reaching summit. After a lot of encouragement she pushed on. Slowly she began to get into the groove of things and our pace picked up slightly. That was until we reached the false summit. Both my son and daughter we ready to quit at that point. We pushed on and finally reached summit around 1020. A bit longer than I had hoped but was happy with their accomplishment. Once on summit their moods changed and they realized why I come to Colorado every year. They forgot how difficult the journey up was and enjoyed what they had accomplished as well as a hard earned candy bar! We spent about 20 minutes on summit before heading back down. My son wondered why we couldn't take the gondola back down like we did in Steamboat. It didn't take long for the weather to turn. The temp began to drop, the wind picked up and it snowed for the first half of the descent. It was slow going at first as my son had difficulty with the loose rock but he handled it well. I am a very proud father. It would be hard to find too many kids where we come from that would do this. They did great and my daughter said she may be up for another one down the road sometime. My son, well, it might take some time to get him up another! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Democrat-My Kids first 14er

My daughter (age 9) has been asking me for a couple years to take her up a 14er. I think she is jealous of my trips to Colorado without her. My son (age 6) up until recently has been more reluctant when it comes to the idea of hiking much less hiking up a 14er. But he came around and about a year ago after returning from my annual trip my wife and I decided it was time to see if they could do it. We prepared them with several hikes in Iowa and with a few days in Steamboat prior to arriving in Keystone we pushed their limits a bit more. They did very well with all of these hikes so I was fairly positive they would be able to reach summit.

We arrived at Kite Lake and headed up around the trail around 0740. My daughter had a nervous stomach and was beginning to doubt our chances of reaching summit. After a lot of encouragement she pushed on. Slowly she began to get into the groove of things and our pace picked up slightly. That was until we reached the false summit. Both my son and daughter we ready to quit at that point. We pushed on and finally reached summit around 1020. A bit longer than I had hoped but was happy with their accomplishment.

Once on summit their moods changed and they realized why I come to Colorado every year. They forgot how difficult the journey up was and enjoyed what they had accomplished as well as a hard earned candy bar! We spent about 20 minutes on summit before heading back down. My son wondered why we couldn't take the gondola back down like we did in Steamboat. It didn't take long for the weather to turn. The temp began to drop, the wind picked up and it snowed for the first half of the descent. It was slow going at first as my son had difficulty with the loose rock but he handled it well.

I am a very proud father. It would be hard to find too many kids where we come from that would do this. They did great and my daughter said she may be up for another one down the road sometime. My son, well, it might take some time to get him up another!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Exiled Michigander	Great stuff! 8/8/2013 10:48pm ”That was until we reached the false summit. Both my son and daughter we ready to quit at that point.” ”My son wondered why we couldn't take the gondola back down like we did in Steamboat.” I agree with them on both counts!!! Classic!!
rking007	I can't wait... 8/10/2013 2:37am For this to happen with my 8 year old boy and 6 year old daughter... and eventually my 3 year old son. Thanks for putting this up, it gives me encouragement that it's possible for younger kiddos like this. Congrats to you and your kids!

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