shaberer0511 wrote:The reasons why I failed on the Sawatch Range:
Elbert 1st Time: Weather
Elbert 2nd Time: Weather and Knee Pain
La Plata: Another climber had a heart attack, so we waited and tried to call in Flight For Life. Another climber with a personnel locator beacon got a signal and called in Flight For Life. We stayed with the other climber and his friends until Flight For Life took off. After that, it was way too late and the weather was coming in.
Huron: Knee Pain. I had a very busy week before I climbed, and was on my feet for a solid week before climbing.
Antero: Got a late start, and hadn't climbed in a month or so. The weather was moving in too fast, and we were moving too slow. I think I could have driven up farther and we could have made it. Next time I will drive up farther and leave Denver earlier.
* All of these trips were day trips from just North of Denver.
Shaberer: Wondering if you really need to find an easier route? Sounds more like you've had some seriously bad luck more than anything...
That said, I'm wondering if you might want to try the standard route on Massive:
http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?rout ... t.+Massive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's longer than your average route, but as such, spreads out the gain for an easier average grade. The first half of the approach is on a good and relatively easy trail.
I often suffer knee pain the descent and would second Nyker's suggestion of trekking poles. Also, I usually pop a few ibuprofen on the summit and this can take the edge of any discomfort.