Mt. Elbert Trip Report 10/18/2013

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
Date Posted	10/18/2013
Date Climbed	09/20/2013
Author	rpdawes

My first 14er - Mount Elbert via East Ridge at age of 73
Left Trailhead at 6:00 AM Reached Summit at 1:00PM Returned to TH at 7:00 PM On September 19, 2013, I left my residence in Aurora and arrived at the Upper South Elbert Trailhead around 5:30 PM after driving up on a 4WD road. After parking my Jeep Cherokee about 100 feet away from the trailhead, I walked up the trail about 1000 yards to get familiar with it for a dark morning hike. After a sunset, I could do nothing except to start counting sheep over a fence. Since the temperature was about 35 degree F, I did not sleep soundly in a mummy bag due to an awkward position in a back seat of my vehicle, but the sleep was adequate all night. At 5 AM, I woke up and got ready for my longest and highest summit climb I would ever undertake all my life. Before that, I experienced two failed attempts to conquer Mount Elbert via Northeast Ridge in July and Quandary Peak in August, thanks to threatening clouds. At 6:00 AM, I got on the trail with my headlight. About 30 minutes or so later, the sun arose for another day. My beloved Jeep Cherokee was parked about 100 feet away from the upper trailhead of South Elbert Trail. With much excitement, I spotted Mount Elbert sprinkled with light snow right after leaving the tree line at about 11,300 feet. Had the mountain been capped with heavy snow, I would delay my dream until next summer. There was a true blueberry sky with no single cloud appearing. The weather was too perfect to be true after there were too many negative weather forecasts for any summer afternoon. That is something I had been waiting for so long since last July. At my age of 73, I thought that I must have a perfect weather since it would take me 12 hours for completing a round trip as long as 8 miles. I could not speed up my hiking strides. I don't know why, but I had to listen to my body carefully. Otherwise, I could fall sick with altitude sickness if I pushed my body too hard. First view of Mt. Elbert while hiking through the woods Before I started my solo hike, I was hoping that some souls would join me on the same trail. Unfortunately, I did not see anybody until I traveled above the tree line. I finally saw a middle-aged couple from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and after a while, two young men showed up. So five of us were on the same trail to my delight. While ascending to the summit, I was able to keep those hikers in my sight. A morning fog over Twin Lakes View of Mt. Elbert from 12,500 feet level Trail past some boulders to the left Over the big hill Final push to the summit While climbing, I kept hoping that I would be above 13,000 feet level successfully since my two previous attempts were aborted at that level. Once past 13,000 feet altitude, I was all excited about going to the next levels, 13,500 and 14,000 feet. Once I achieved those levels, I had only 433 feet left to reach the summit. The higher I climbed, the more snow was on the peak. Near the summit While approaching the peak, I could see some people on the summit cheer leading me to fulfill my longtime dream. Yes, yes, I finally got atop my world at 1:00 PM at the age of 73. About a dozen people greeted me. A nice lady from Cape Cod was so kind enough to be my photographer and she took several good shots of me. While staying on the summit for about 40 minutes, I enjoyed the views of the magnificent Rockies appearing around me. Since the weather was still perfect with no clouds in sight, I was in no hurry to start descending and returning to my vehicle. Me finally at the summit Showing off a victory sign View of Mt. Massive in the center View of the historic town of Leadville from the summit a cliff hidden down. Trail leading up to the summit Good bye to the ole flag sitting on the summit View of three lakes from the summit ( Mt. Elbert Forebay and Twin Lakes) One of several cairns set up by man along the East Ridge trail to serve as a guide post Trail leading back to the woods. After I felt that I had spent enough time, I started descending on the same route all the way to the trailhead, almost solo. My Jeep finally came to my sight at 7:00 PM, 30 minutes before the sunset. My legs were about to quit, but I managed to get inside the vehicle. Then I was in a hurry to get my Jeep off the 4WD road and got to the lower trailhead. There I enjoyed a nap lasting one hour. After a wake up, I happily drove back home. Well-defined trail leading down to the tree line not far away. My Jeep waiting somewhere deep in the woods to welcome me home. Thanks to God for my safe and successful summit climb to Colorado's highest mountain! Too bad that I could not find cloud 9 so I could float on it. I wholeheartedly agree that Mount Elbert is a gentle giant. I will always cherish the mountain as my first 14er. Hope to conquer at least 40 14ers before I become too old for a summit hike. Salute to the King of the Rockies! My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): Login required to view this map... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

My first 14er - Mount Elbert via East Ridge at age of 73

Left Trailhead at 6:00 AM
Reached Summit at 1:00PM
Returned to TH at 7:00 PM

On September 19, 2013, I left my residence in Aurora and arrived at the Upper South Elbert Trailhead around 5:30 PM after driving up on a 4WD road. After parking my Jeep Cherokee about 100 feet away from the trailhead, I walked up the trail about 1000 yards to get familiar with it for a dark morning hike. After a sunset, I could do nothing except to start counting sheep over a fence. Since the temperature was about 35 degree F, I did not sleep soundly in a mummy bag due to an awkward position in a back seat of my vehicle, but the sleep was adequate all night. At 5 AM, I woke up and got ready for my longest and highest summit climb I would ever undertake all my life. Before that, I experienced two failed attempts to conquer Mount Elbert via Northeast Ridge in July and Quandary Peak in August, thanks to threatening clouds. At 6:00 AM, I got on the trail with my headlight. About 30 minutes or so later, the sun arose for another day.

My beloved Jeep Cherokee was parked about 100 feet away from the upper trailhead of South Elbert Trail.

With much excitement, I spotted Mount Elbert sprinkled with light snow right after leaving the tree line at about 11,300 feet. Had the mountain been capped with heavy snow, I would delay my dream until next summer. There was a true blueberry sky with no single cloud appearing. The weather was too perfect to be true after there were too many negative weather forecasts for any summer afternoon. That is something I had been waiting for so long since last July. At my age of 73, I thought that I must have a perfect weather since it would take me 12 hours for completing a round trip as long as 8 miles. I could not speed up my hiking strides. I don't know why, but I had to listen to my body carefully. Otherwise, I could fall sick with altitude sickness if I pushed my body too hard.

First view of Mt. Elbert while hiking through the woods

Before I started my solo hike, I was hoping that some souls would join me on the same trail. Unfortunately, I did not see anybody until I traveled above the tree line. I finally saw a middle-aged couple from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and after a while, two young men showed up. So five of us were on the same trail to my delight. While ascending to the summit, I was able to keep those hikers in my sight.

View of Mt. Elbert from 12,500 feet level

While climbing, I kept hoping that I would be above 13,000 feet level successfully since my two previous attempts were aborted at that level. Once past 13,000 feet altitude, I was all excited about going to the next levels, 13,500 and 14,000 feet. Once I achieved those levels, I had only 433 feet left to reach the summit. The higher I climbed, the more snow was on the peak.

While approaching the peak, I could see some people on the summit cheer leading me to fulfill my longtime dream. Yes, yes, I finally got atop my world at 1:00 PM at the age of 73. About a dozen people greeted me. A nice lady from Cape Cod was so kind enough to be my photographer and she took several good shots of me. While staying on the summit for about 40 minutes, I enjoyed the views of the magnificent Rockies appearing around me. Since the weather was still perfect with no clouds in sight, I was in no hurry to start descending and returning to my vehicle.

View of the historic town of Leadville from the summit

Good bye to the ole flag sitting on the summit

View of three lakes from the summit ( Mt. Elbert Forebay and Twin Lakes)

One of several cairns set up by man along the East Ridge trail to serve as a guide post

After I felt that I had spent enough time, I started descending on the same route all the way to the trailhead, almost solo. My Jeep finally came to my sight at 7:00 PM, 30 minutes before the sunset. My legs were about to quit, but I managed to get inside the vehicle. Then I was in a hurry to get my Jeep off the 4WD road and got to the lower trailhead. There I enjoyed a nap lasting one hour. After a wake up, I happily drove back home.

Well-defined trail leading down to the tree line not far away.

My Jeep waiting somewhere deep in the woods to welcome me home.

Thanks to God for my safe and successful summit climb to Colorado's highest mountain! Too bad that I could not find cloud 9 so I could float on it. I wholeheartedly agree that Mount Elbert is a gentle giant. I will always cherish the mountain as my first 14er. Hope to conquer at least 40 14ers before I become too old for a summit hike. Salute to the King of the Rockies!

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Kansan	Good Job 10/19/2013 1:02pm I'm 65 and plan on climbing into my 70s. Keep it up. You can't stop at one.
Jay521	Fantastic! 10/19/2013 1:59pm What an inspiring report! Congrats on your perseverance and I'm SO glad you made your goal. There are many more mountains that I'm sure you can summit. Best of luck to you!
nyker	Nice! 10/19/2013 2:34pm Congrats on finally getting it! Good job.
sunny1	Cloud 9 Optional! 10/19/2013 2:44pm Floating on cloud 9 is not high enough after this accomplishment. :D Way to go! Very inspirational - keep after it! Congrats!
ChicagoMike	Nice Work! 10/19/2013 2:56pm What is your next 14er?
alsrun	GOOD JOB! 10/19/2013 4:57pm Nice to see us 73 YOS still chuggin along.
rpdawes	My plans for Summer 2014 10/19/2013 6:17pm I hope to summit my next 10 14ers at my age of 74. 1) Grays Peak 2) Torreys Peak 3) Mt. Sherman 4) Mt. Cameron 5) Mt. Lincoln 6) Mt. Democrat 7) Quandary Peak 8) San Luis Peak or Pikes Peak 9) Mt. Evans 10) Mt. Antero I will have a lot of exercising to do in the meantime like walking up and down the stairs in my 4-story apartment complex. :D
kushrocks	Dude Bravo 10/19/2013 6:53pm First 14er at age 73?!?! Congrats man that is awesome and inspirational to so many of us.
screeman57	great report 10/19/2013 9:14pm and so inspiring. good luck with your goals this year--I look forward to reading more!
Nelson	Congrats 10/20/2013 1:06am Good on you, RP! These mountains will give you more enjoyment than you can ever imagine.
goingup	Very Inspirational! 10/20/2013 1:32am Just shows that you are never too old to live your dream. Keep up the good work and congratulations! :D
Andymcp1	Great Work 10/20/2013 1:52am I would be happy to join you on any of your hikes. I hiked Longs a couple years back with a guy on his 75th B-day. It's a tradition he started in his 20's and is still doing yearly. He says they get better with age
tlongpine	... 10/20/2013 7:17pm ”Hope to conquer at least 40 14ers before I become too old for a summit hike.” Bravo! Good luck!
Tornadoman	Awesome Job! 10/21/2013 3:43am Nice job reaching the top of the Rockies! Looks like you have a nice list for next year, and I look forward to seeing more reports of your 14er hikes.
TonkatsuDave	Awesome! 10/21/2013 3:43pm Great to see that you're already planning out next season - I look forward to hearing about more of your successes in the mountains!
Mindy	Way to go! 10/21/2013 5:34pm Keep the trip reports coming! :)
jdhak10	Never Quit! 10/22/2013 8:14pm Good job Buddy! Its better to die doing something we love than to sit on a couch and wonder what it would be like. Keep pushing!!
rking007	Wow fantastic! 10/24/2013 2:25am Keep getting at it! I can't imagine how thankful I would be if I was still climbing mountains at 73. Thanks for posting!
Double Oh Seven	Two Words to describe this trip report.... 10/24/2013 3:54am BAD ASS! way to go
JROSKA	Congratulations 10/29/2013 7:07am Very inspirational. I love to read accounts like yours. Thanks for sharing!
1sarge	Outstanding!! 3/9/2014 5:36am I will be heading out to do Elbert in July '14. I'm 65 and haven't tried to summit a mountain since being in Ecuador in 2009. If my knees cooperate I'm planning on a couple of more while I'm in Colorado. Reading your trip report provides great inspiration to me. I love your attitude!! Keep it up.

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