Mike, Harry, and I are all high school friends that have been coming to the Colorado 14ers now
for ten years. We have posted trip reports in the past, but we have not done so for a few years. We
started when we were all about 60 years of age and now we are all approaching 70. Every year has been a
wonderful adventure and it has been a learning experience for all of us. The first year we did Mount
Democrat and Mount Sherman. We did Democrat first and it was all we could do to make it to the
summit. Ten years later we now come to Colorado better prepared to climb. We have all gotten into
better physical condition. The mountains are very motivating for us to keep ourselves physical fit.
When we were planning this years Colorado trip I suggested that we climb Oxford and Belford
from Elkhead Pass. I have always argued that the easier way up Belford and Oxford was by way of
Elkhead Pass. I know it is farther, but the slope is much easier and I felt it would take less energy than
the standard route up Belford. I thought that if we used Elkhead Pass we would have a shot at a double.
We had been to Missouri Gulch in 2011 and 2014. In 2014 we all did Missouri Mountain. In
2011 we all attempted Belford. In 2011 I had my second hip replaced in January and I was worried about
being able to make it up the mountain with my new and old fake hip. I worked out and was in good
condition, but my head was not in the climb. The steep climb up the standard route scared me and I
wanted to use Elkhead Pass. I lost the discussion and we went up the standard route. As I said earlier my
head just wasn't in the game this year. About half way up the switch backs all I could think about was
taking a nap. When we took a break I told Harry and Mike that I was returning to the trail head. Harry
and Mike made it to the summit. This has bothered me since 2011. I just didn't want the summit bad
enough to get myself into the correct mental attitude to make it to the summit. Since 2011 I have done
my best come to Colorado with a lot of âWant To.â You have âWant Toâ make it to the summit or you
just not going to get yourself there.
This year I just knew we were going to get a double with Oxford and Belford. We started the
climb from the trail head at about 6:30 am. The start of the trail is steeper than I remembered. When the
switch backs started they were a welcome change from going straight up the gulch. You are gaining
altitude from the start of this climb, but nothing like you do when you get to the Northwest Ridge of
Belford. I again lost the discussion on using Elkhead Pass. The Northwest Ridge really takes a lot of
effort and energy and it takes a lot out of your legs. This year I was not stopping. I had this one and
wanted Oxford also. We made it to the summit at about 11:30 am and we had the summit to ourselves.
This climb was so sweet for me and I feel so good making it to the summit. Belford had been the only
mountain in which I had not completed the climb. It took me six years, but I finally accomplished it.. I
kissed the summit marker.
Now the discussion started on if we were going for Oxford. We knew it would add maybe a
couple of hours on to our climb and there was bad weather coming in. We decided to head back to the
trail head. We went down the standard route as we thought it would be faster with the bad weather. The
wind picked up and it was cold. We got hit with some sleet as we were getting off the summit. This front
passed and then a second front come through with cold wind only. After that the sun came out and we
had a hot hike out to the trail head.
Maybe it was best that we didn't go to Oxford, as we all were a little tired toward the end of the
hike. We were able to take our time on the way down after all the weather passed us. Even though we
didn't get a double we felt good making the summit of Belford. Thank You Mike and Harry for repeating
Belford for me.
After a day of rest we all climbed Mount Shavano. Shavano is rated as a harder climb, but we all
felt that Shavano was much easier that Belford. The Northwest Ridge is a bear to climb, and I think that
Belford should be ranked higher on the scale than it is. We have made it for ten years now and we have
no intentions of stopping. We are already planning our next year in Colorado. Maybe next year we will
try Elkhead Pass and get Oxford. If we don't do it together I'm going to do it someday with my
Grandson. He will take my place someday in the mountains. He has five 14ers now and we plan on
adding to his total in the years to come.