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Lets start this one off again with some tunes as I was digging that from before. This time from the land of the misty mountains and oversized hairy feet. "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" of Team ZoSo if you will.
Turn It Up For the English Boys
Here's how it played out: the Madmikester needed the Capitol Peakster. I already had it in winter, but thankfully this is one bad mother f*ing peak so I was fully down to repeat. I would arrive a day in advance of Mike and lay a trench down for us to facilitate the humdrum night walking. We would then attempt a day trip the following day.
Transporting to Aspen via my secret tunnel whose portal lies at the base of the 2nd Flatiron (to gain entry one must show up at midnight on a clear, full moon wearing a long, blonde wig and whisper the magic words "To be a Rock and Not to Roll"), I began the haul to treeline from the winter closure at 8:30 am on Friday.
Delightful would be the word I would use to describe this day. Sensible hour to begin a hike, light pack, alone on a beautiful winter Elk day with amazing scenery and no worries over a summit. An 8 hour, 12 mile and 3000' effort brought me back to my truck with a beautifully, b-lined trench awaiting us that night. I'm not really one to toot my horn, but this was one bad trench....
Clark Peak
600' Below Moon Lake I Called it Good as the Wind was Now Wiping Out My Efforts
Mike arrived that evening and we promptly set out to party down Monster5's empty hotel room in Basalt. Much like any true rock star, the party ceased and we turned in for bed at 7pm.
12:56 am, Saturday. That all too familiar crunch, crunch noise emanating from my feet. Wtf, who willfully does this to themselves? Around 6am we found ourselves at Moon Lake after making a little 20 minute navigation error (above treeline that is but hey, whats a little extra vert among zombies?). It was around this time that the unthinkable happened...surly it had forgotten about us but fear not, the sun began to poke out from the horizon.
Alright, enough BS. Picture Time.
The Bus Came By and I Got On, That's When It All Began
Daly Struttin Her Stuff
Makin our way to K2
Into This House We're Born, Into This World We're Thrown
Downclimb off K2 was pretty cake. Just some minor scrambling on the North Face. However, right after that we both agreed was the hardest part of the day which consisted of deep snow, steep traversing before the Knife. Sweet.
Gollum Attacking the Knify
Secret Chute Entrance
Mike Having a Terrible Time
Oh The Mighty Arms of Atlas, Hold the Heavens From The Earth
We roped up once on the ascent at the buttress that bucks you off the ridge perhaps ¾ of the way up.
What the Does One Say to Such a View?
We Stayed Roped Up since an Anchor was Setup and Mike Investigated but Soon Found Out it Wasn't Necessary
Much Like Mike, I was also Having a Terrible Time. Last Bit Ahead.
Fun Scrambling
2 hours and 10 min after topping out K2, we found ourselves on top of the Capster.
In the Words of the Late Scholar Flavor Flav.....Yeeeeee Boyyy
A serious note: on the approach in, Mike began telling me the story of his 3 year old niece Shylah. I couldn't help but feel bad for this innocent little girl whose terrible affliction came out of no where. It's quite uplifting (for me at least) to know that Mike is climbing the last few remaining of his winter 14ers for her and I truly wish her the best.
I Am Told the Smallest Cairn is For Mike's Little Man, Ben
Descending went pretty quickly, rappelling just once at the spot we roped up.
Pagan Baby, What You Got, I Need.
Lookin Down the Secret Chute
"Knife" Edge
Elevator Shaft
Once we got back to K2, we could allow ourselves to relax some. And though we tried, the peak is just too awesome and inspiring to take in over such a short break.
The deproach went quickly although we were both hurting pretty good. Arriving back at the car still under daylight was a great feeling and the nearby pack dogs howled boisterously to our success. Very soon after, Luke showed up out of the blue as he was planning to skin in to meet us (after a big day lapping Highlands nonetheless, I got some stupid friends I tell ya). Mike and I parted ways here. He made the haul to the Springs and I the liquor store in Aspen. Avery bombers fit the bill just nice.
Splits:
Start - 12:56am
Moon Lake - 6ish
K2 - 8:30am
Summit - 10:40am
K2 - 12:20pm
End - 5:10pm
Tread Lightly My Friends
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
We’ve never met but I can tell, you’re my kind of crazy. But, Jimi is my jam... Excuse me while I kiss the sky. As usual, nice work. Why do we do this to ourselves (answer’s in the title).
Great day, great write–up my friend. You’re really making me come around on this partner thing. Our 3 trips this winter have been 3 of the most memorable days I’ve ever had in the mountains. Thanks for taking the time to put this together homie, for the Shylah shout–out and for breaking trail. Your strength and speed in the mountains is inspiring.
Hey Mike, is The Kid worth a damn? I’m starting to think he is. :) Putting in a track and then repeating a tough peak in not exactly the safest conditions reminds me of the kind of selfless act that guy from Pueblo used to partake in.
Climbing with people you trust is the greatest experience hands down. The bond you form is infinite and nothing can take it away. It doesn’t matter if it is Quandary or Capitol or El Diente (cough cough), achieving a summit allows one to walk with your partners forever.
12:56 AM start time? Our earliest is 2:50 AM. Sounds like we have work to do. Congrats to you both...
ABad_ _ _ Example of climbing a route for its beauty, difficulty, and commitment. Climbing routes (rock,ice,or mountaineering) that excite something inside of a person are the most rewarding. Finishing a list is a close second. :roll: Great work on an awesome peak.
job you too. This looks sweet. Love all the images, but the last one especially! If you’d ever want to repeat that one again, let me know 8)
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