Revelation

Late September 2019. After a summer of training and watching youtube videos, my friend and I set off to Capitol Peak. When we got to k2 the weather had obviously changed for the worse. Turning around was a easy decision.

We made it back to camp at the lake before the heavy rain and lightning moved in. (Not that a tent is lightning proof lol) That night we had a disturbing experience where something was out stalking around the tent in the middle of the storm. We figured bear or mountain lion, and did not sleep well at all.

We awoke to a blue bird day, chilly, and snow up on the peak. The snow was being blown around off the high levels of the peak as we watched from the lake. Hiking out we figured the worst was behind us. Then we arrived back at the TH to discover our cars battery had died. After a little trip to Aspen and back we jumped it and left. We unfortunately had to spend a unexpected night in aspen before we fixed the car. We should have had fun at a party (we couldn't chose where we crashed for free).....We were both too tired to have fun or even think it seemed. Spring 2020, another friend and I went camping in the valley only to return to TH and see a tree on his truck.

I decided once the weather was good I would have to return in order to "avenge myself on the mountain". I came shortly after the 4th of July and made past the knife edge and back. A big high pressure system moved in, and I set out at 4AM on July 11th from the TH.

The sun rose and the day became a summit day to dream of. Little to no wind most of the day and no clouds around. I crossed the Rubicon, that is I left k2 around 11 with the peak looming in the background.

Many people camping in area were already coming down and encouraged me to keep going. Everything was dry. Past the knife edge and up the ridge I went slow and steady.

A group caught up around the ledge crossing part, and we stayed together until the summit. Summit time was 115PM. Views were incredible. After a hour plus break on summit (I know I know) I headed down.

I meet 2 people coming up just after I crossed the knife. They seemed high speed and awesome, I wished them luck as I made my way down. Off k2 just after 4, I made my calls before losing cell service.

Run into the third part of the party going up. He told me of his friends ahead, and was heading back to lake.

They came to camp at late and went for summit because weather was so good. Talk about awesome lol.

A few hours later back at lake I geared down for the hike back to the car.

After a brief visit with those camping around I made my way back down the valley as the sun slowly set.

The mountain and valley gave me quite a farewell. I made it back to my car full of apprehension, but discovered everything was ok this time! l was expecting something to be wrong with my car in some fashion.

This was my first visit to Capitol without mishap, and a summit!!! (When a tree falls on ur car, and a different time ur battery dies, its kinda hard to forget that stuff, especially when it all happened at the SAME TH!!!) (If it wasnt for bad luck, there would't be luck at all) (or so it seemed) The story didn't end here though.

Back in breck, my friend I came with in the fall was really excited for the news and wanted another return.

Great weather accompanied us the next weekend, the 18th and 19th as we set out.

We camped in the valley in the big meadow area. It was cloudy on our summit day, but they were harmless and broke up as the morning went on.

We followed a party up, and at the summit one of them told us he had just finished. About 9 of us shared one of the best 14er summit views in the state and recharged for the descent.

He quickly then said he wasn't totally done until safely off the saddle. Some clouds rolled in and we had some snow. The snow lasted for a few minutes, long enough that we could see a snow rainbow off in the distance. It was pretty cool. The snow did cause someone to slip, but it was only for like 3 feet or so, and into a safe area. When he slipped as we were going down, everyone held their collective breaths.

Everyone was ok, but we downclimbed a little slowly until the sun came back out. Any snow quickly melted, and before we knew it we were back off k2 into safety.

As we broke camp and hiked out we couldn't help but smile as we thought about our first experience with Capitol last fall... ps I have a mobile device and need to fine tune report as it reordered some pictures, thanks (hopefully looks better now)

"The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood-idols that cannot see hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts." Revelation, book 9, verse 20, 21.