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Peak(s):  Huron Peak  -  14,006 feet
Date Posted:  07/11/2009
Date Climbed:   07/11/2009
Author:  JA_son27
 Sawatch finisher   

I am happy to say I finished the sawatch range today with a beautiful mountain and a beautiful woman. My wife Amanda has been very supportive in my grand endeavor to climb/hike the Colorado 14ers, and today she proved it once again. We left the house at 215am to reach the S. Winfield trailhead at 530am, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy going the road was. I didn't have to put the car into 4wheel drive, but I did have to take it pretty slow in a few sections due to some larger rocks and dips in the road. We hit the trail at 6am to clear skies and fairly warm temps.

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Besides hiking with my wife today, we decided to bring our little troublemaker (Einstein) as well. I wasn't sure how he'd handle hiking a 14er, but I've taken him on some decent hikes in Boulder so I figured if he couldn't make it, I would carry him!

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This trail is very easy to follow and has numerous rewards for all of your efforts, one being the beautiful 3 apostles. I was shocked at how jagged these mountains are especially for being in the Sawatch.

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Shortly after the 3 apostles make their appearance, our final destination made its debut. I have to admit, it is nothing spectacular, nothing more than a large round bump, but to my wife it was imposing. I remember the pep talk I gave her, "remember it's not a race, and if you get tired you can stop."

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She always impresses me with her resolve, and this time was no different. She pressed on, spurred by the beautiful scenery.

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Nearing the top of the ridge we finally had the sun on our side. To me there is something soul lifting about the light, and the heat of the sun, much to my wife's chagrin who forgot her sunglasses!

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As innocuous as this picture is, I just wanted to show our dog. This little dog dragged my butt up the mountain, and actually pulled me down nearly as quick, his short little legs are strong. You can nearly see the summit from here.

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Amanda was starting to feel the hurt, I don't blame her. It was her first hike of the season, and number 4 on her 14er list, so again I gave her a pep talk and reminded her of how close we were to the summit. There is something about the top of a mountain that seems to attract people, and Amanda is no different. She pushed through the pain.

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This picture was taken from the same location as the previous picture, it looks down on the meandering trail before it gets tough.

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Here's our little crag hopper nearing the summit.

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I once told Amanda that the closer you get to a tough summit, the further it seems. She received a dose of that reality today. This picture shows how close, yet so far the summit can seem. The talus near the top isn't bad because of the decent trail through it.

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The crowds were in full swing today on Huron, but hey what can you expect when the weather is this nice?

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In shear anguish my beautiful wife still manages to smile for the camera. (Of course seeing the summit helps too)

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Congratulations on your 4th 14er Amanda!

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We tried to get the dog to pose as well, but that didn't work out. The 3 apostles dominate the view in the background, which was awesome!

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Looking past the crowd to Harvard, this was a cool perspective on a somewhat hidden monarch.

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I love hiking with my wife, I don't get to experience it too much so I savor these hikes. I love spending time in the outdoors and it is made so much sweeter when shared with loved ones. I am glad I finished the Sawatch range in the company of my wife, and our dog. (his 1st 14er) I can now focus on more challenging climbs in the Sangres and the San Juans!



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
JA_son27
User
Thanks!
7/12/2009 1:33pm
Hey Mike how‘s life treating you? Have you summited any 14ers lately?


Joe Miner
User
Thanks
7/12/2009 1:40pm
For the info on the road. I am coming out ina week to do Huron and will be driving a rental Escape.


huffy13
User
Terrific....
7/12/2009 5:42pm
Love the report. I‘m taking the kids on Huron in September, they sometimes get the little ”you‘re almost there” pep talks too. Congrats on finishing the Sawatch Range. What vehicle did you take to the TH? Would a 2wd pickup w/good clearance make it?


Chicalorado
User
Congrats
7/12/2009 6:26pm
Hey we ran into you while you were on your way down, congrats on finishing off the Sawatch. I‘ll try to get my report up today.


cftbq
User
Congrats
7/12/2009 6:27pm
to both Einstein and Amanda! We did Huron as a family hike, too; sounds like you had an equally great day. Good luck going on to the harder ranges.


stewpid
User
Doing good!
7/12/2009 9:58pm
I‘ve climbed Yale, Belford, and Oxford since Princeton this year. We‘ll have to hook up and hike later this summer!


kickintalus
User
Einstein
7/13/2009 3:13am
I gotta say it again. I can‘t believe Einstein made it up. I was so impressed to see him up there. He‘s a gamer.


LatinOutbackers
User
CONGRATS!!!
7/22/2009 1:07am
Way to go jay!! That is soo cool..glad your wife did it with you!!Nice pics we are hoping to get a couple of 14ers in this summer but we are currently addicted to mountain biking...plus i just got cleared to hike from my ortho doc


James Scott
User
Deja Vu
8/23/2009 7:48pm
I read this the day before I finished the Sawatch with my wife, who is not a big climber, but really supportive. It was like you wrote the rough draft for me. Enjoyed the report, and great pictures!


JA_son27
User
Huffy
11/30/2010 5:28pm
We took our 4runner up to the TH, and yes I think your 2wd truck with good clearance could make it. The only issue I would worry about are some spots of the road were a little steep but with weight in the back you might make it. Also the last bit of road is very narrow, you risk getting stuck if you pull off of the road to let someone pass. The traction control only went off once or twice, but again we didn't put it into 4wd.

Chicalorado- Your dog Cubbie was awesome! You know Ryne Sandberg (Ryno) was t my favorite ball player when I was growing up.

cftbq- thank you and I look forward to the challenge!


stewpid
User
congrats...
2/5/2011 12:22am
on finishing up the Sawatch range!



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