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Solo hiked from the creek crossing at 10,850' after driving up the 4WD road. You'll want good clearance for some of the obstacles on that road. The toughest part of the road is right at the start, so you'll quickly find out if you should abort and hike the whole road or attempt the 3 miles up the 4WD single track.
Those last couple miles dragged on forever, but yes that stream crossing toward the end brought life back into my soles!
Lesson learned: trekking poles are the way to go when hiking barefoot. The first ten barefoot 14ers I did without poles, and on the blustery day on Redcloud/Sunshine last summer (report & video: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=23129) I really wished I had them for stability.
I also realized that the clinking of the poles on the ground provides sound while hiking solo, alerting wildlife of your presence and allowing them to flee. (At least, that's what I told myself!) Hiking barefoot makes you silent and stealthy, like a... mountain ninja.
I was pleasantly surprised to find sandy beach conditions along the rocky Antero road. If you haven't hiked barefoot, you're missing out on the sand between your toes!
The ridge proper was the highlight of the day, sprinkling a little fun on the sufferfest. It feels amazing to climb with your feet on this grippy rock, and there were certainly a few fun moves!
Expectations are everything. I expected this experience to be one of the most grueling 14ers to climb barefoot (so I was happy to get it checked off the list) but was greeted with comfortable sections and some scrambling action.
Few more pics:
Cronin Peak watching your every moveUp the switchbacks of the old mining roadShav & TabMarmot posing in front of Shav & Tab on the descentIf you are interested in taking Karate lessons, I hear this place is pretty good.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Comments or Questions
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