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| Peak(s): |
Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
|
| Date Posted: |
08/05/2007 |
| Modified: |
08/13/2007 |
| Date Climbed: |
08/05/2007 |
| Author: |
krishcane |
| Elbert Northeast Ridge |
We had a party of 7 people and took the standard route up, starting at 5:40 am. Some of us reached the top at 9:40, myself at 10:30 am. I had trouble with the altitude from 13,800 up, despite my routine of summer running at 8000 feet and winter snowboarding at 10,000. I'd never gone this high, and I guess my body had no idea what to do. I had brought an Oxia sport oxygen bottle to take just in case, and it proved invaluable when I finally cracked it open at 14,100. All my symptoms went away, so I'd highly recommend the investment in one of those things.
No snow on the route - plenty of chipmunks, and a sprinkling of marmots and rain. This whole weekend was rain soaked, and we knew it would start early (11 am) because that had been the routine lately. So we got off the summit at 10:45, and sure enough, it was already getting dark. We got some drops and heard distant thunder before we could get to treeline, and shared our astonishment at how many people were still heading up while the sky was turning black and distant flashes were going off behind Elbert and Massive. I mean, is that not a clue?
Even reading the forums here a bunch, I *really* didn't get what a steep, long walk Elbert was going to be. I hike Front Range smaller peaks a lot, but the 4700' gain wears you down on Elbert. If you're new to 14ers like we were, take that seriously.
But the good news for new people is that it's an easy route to follow (at least in the summer). Not only is the trail well-marked and totally obvious, but you can just follow the other 40 people. I actually enjoyed that - talking to strangers, seeing the way they handled the hike. Solitude is good too, but as a first 14er, it's good to share.
Comments on photos:
Image #1 is just as we left the tree line, about 12,000 feet.
Image #2 is about 13,000 feet, taking a break and looking back down. You can just see the tiny dots of people below. This photo comprises about one-eighth of the route.
Image #3 is Mt. Massive off to the north, being consumed by clouds. Photo shot from about 13,500 feet.
Image #4 is me (on the left) and one of my climbing buddies (and martial arts inspirations)
Image #5 is decidedly not me, but I had to take a picture of the lunatic who climbed Elbert with a mountain bike over his shoulder and then dropped off the summit to ride down. There is always someone crazier.
Image #6 is another photo of Mt. Massive, shot from the 14,500 summit of Elbert. You can see the valley that is often used to approach Massive.
Image #7 is, I think, La Plata (?). And of course, ubiquitous cellphone guy.
Image #8 is Massive being eaten by the storm that is about to eat Elbert.... oops, time to get off the summit!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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