Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
We made it a family event, all the girls and the hound. We had never really been in the mountains hiking before, so we knew we wouldn't summit, but it was more about making sure we had the right gear and "just to see". We hiked about 1 1/2 hours, and got through the willows but just short of the meadow. Stopped for lunch, and came back down. 6/23 Attempt
After further family discussion, it was decided my wife and two younger daughters, and the hound would not return, but myself and my oldest daughter Sydney would try making it to the top.
We left Lone Tree around 7 AM and hit the west parking lot around 8:40. For those of you on the trail by 5 AM, I salute you. Wrestling Sydney, 11, out of bed that early was like propping up Bernie in the Hamptons for the weekend... Beautiful morning
We made good time across the willows and planks, and got to the meadows area within about 45 minutes or so. We were now past were we had stopped on our previous attempt in 1/2 the time so we were feeling pretty good. Periodic stops for water and to catch our breath were made A look back
Around 13000' we started to slow down considerably. We had to pick out spots 300'-500' up the trail as our next resting stops. It really helped to break down the trip into manageable portions. 2 minutes of stopping to catch our breath, pick out the next spot, chat about all the people we saw, and away we went again.
We got to the boulder field at the top, and were able to navigate our way through that. Boulder field @ Summit
I couldn't tell if we dodging people or the best route thru the rocks most of the time.
We summitted around 12:40, and hung out for 20 minutes or so. Sydney @ top Us @ top
I think the toughest part was the first 20 minutes climbing down the boulder field. Something about the pack threw off my balance a little bit, feeling tired, and a little short of breath all added up, I suppose. We made it back down in 2 hours, for a total 6 hour round trip. Not including the painful 5 MPH trip back to Denver on a Sunday afternoon at 3 PM.
Observations:
Everyone we talked to was really nice. Picture taking offering, etc.
I saw the gamut of folks, at least an 80 y/o man, and someone else was carrying around a 3-4 month old baby without a pack, just wrapped in a blanket in their arms.
Somebody's pitbull took a dump at the summit, had to have been the best view ever for a dog to dump...owner didn't clean up after...
Disappointed there wasn't the elevation on the USGS pin. USGS Pin
Great trip, and a good one to start off on.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Congrats to you and the eldest, Sydney! Too bad about the dog. Glad you reported the same. From years of observation, I would note that most Pit Bull owners are about as civic minded as Neanderthals! May your future climbs be more pristine -- as certainly they will be!
Congrats on the first of hopefully many more father daughter outings! Looks like you had a great climb.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
