Mt. Elbert Trip Report 10/27/2013

Peak(s):	Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
Date Posted:	10/27/2013
Date Climbed:	10/02/2013
Author:	Target Tony

Mt Elbert Northeast ridge
The start of my climb for the Mt Elbert Summit began at 2:30 am. i left Estes Park to travel to Leadville. i knew from the many reports on here that i needed to start early and get off the Mountain by 2 or 3 pm. i arrived at Leadville around 5:45 am. i found the road that leads to the trail head easily, but i drove past the parking for Mt Elbert. the sign for the parking area was covered by a small pine tree. so i drove until i got to the Mt. Massive parking area, i knew i went to far so i asked for directions. once i found the parking area for Mt. Elbert i got my gear out of my truck and started putting it on. i wanted my light hunting boots and my badlands super day pack. loaded up the water and snacks and started for the trail head. i got on the trail at 6:30 am. the hike was starting out great and the temp was 42 degrees so i was dressed pretty light. i made my way up the trail being passed by the many groups i would see all day. i knew i had never done anything like this before so i wanted to pace myself. i stopped quite a few times to take pics and water and snacks along the way. i was getting pretty tired just below the false summit, but i knew if i just kept going i would finally reach the summit. at 11;30 am i made the summit of Mt Elbert. this was by far the toughest hike i have done since i got out of the Army in 1989 and at age 53 i found it to be a great physical and mental challenge for a flatlander from Iowa. there was one time below the false summit that i thought to myself this is just crazy but the bulldog in me said nope no way get off your butt and go. here are some of my pictures. this summit was a lot of fun and hard work. i want to continue to climb the other 14ers in Colorado.

Mt Elbert Northeast ridge

The start of my climb for the Mt Elbert Summit began at 2:30 am. i left Estes Park to travel to Leadville. i knew from the many reports on here that i needed to start early and get off the Mountain by 2 or 3 pm. i arrived at Leadville around 5:45 am. i found the road that leads to the trail head easily, but i drove past the parking for Mt Elbert. the sign for the parking area was covered by a small pine tree. so i drove until i got to the Mt. Massive parking area, i knew i went to far so i asked for directions. once i found the parking area for Mt. Elbert i got my gear out of my truck and started putting it on. i wanted my light hunting boots and my badlands super day pack. loaded up the water and snacks and started for the trail head. i got on the trail at 6:30 am. the hike was starting out great and the temp was 42 degrees so i was dressed pretty light. i made my way up the trail being passed by the many groups i would see all day. i knew i had never done anything like this before so i wanted to pace myself.

i stopped quite a few times to take pics and water and snacks along the way. i was getting pretty tired just below the false summit, but i knew if i just kept going i would finally reach the summit. at 11;30 am i made the summit of Mt Elbert. this was by far the toughest hike i have done since i got out of the Army in 1989 and at age 53 i found it to be a great physical and mental challenge for a flatlander from Iowa. there was one time below the false summit that i thought to myself this is just crazy but the bulldog in me said nope no way get off your butt and go. here are some of my pictures. this summit was a lot of fun and hard work. i want to continue to climb the other 14ers in Colorado.

Comments or Questions

boudreaux	Duck Dynasty Rules! 10/27/2013 3:49pm Way to persevere and get up there in style!
onepeakatatime	Congrats!! 10/28/2013 12:12am Looks like you had a great climb and a great success. Come again and enjoy the 14ers, but don't forget to enjoy the many wonderful 13ers in Colorado, or even to take time to enjoy the Colorado Trail. Maybe I'll see along the trail sometime.

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