The first week of June, Kyle and I took a trip to Colorado to spend some time with our friends Brian and Michele. While we were looking forward to some good fellowship and fun, the main reason we were there was for Kyle and Brian to climb Mt. Elbert (14,433 ft) and Mt. Massive (14,421). These are the second and third highest mountains in the contiguous United States. Keep in mind, please, that Kyle and Brian have never attempted to summit any mountain nearly this high but, it was on Brian's "bucket list" so, they decided to give it a go.
After one day of acclimation to the Colorado altitude, the boys set off from Winter Park, CO (where we girls stayed) to Leadville, CO to camp at the base of the two mountains. They found a beautiful lake isolated from the rest of society and set up their base camp. They each caught a trout within two minutes of throwing their lines in and ate like kings that night.
Very early the next morning, the guys set off to climb Mt. Elbert. Everything was going well for the first three hours but, soon after, the altitude and lack of oxygen began to take its toll. Now slightly hypoxic and muscles weakened from lack of oxygen, they continued pressing onward as the weather began to deteriorate. Before long, they were in ice and sleet and battling 50 mile an hour winds. Two more experienced hiking groups turned back before summitting and suggested Kyle and Brian do the same yet, they pressed onward.
Around 12:30 pm, Michele and I received a phone call from the guys telling us they couldn't go any further. At just 500 feet from the summit, our brave men decided to turn around and head back down the mountain to the safety of their campsite and, ultimately that evening, the comfort of a house and their wives. After hiking six hours, they later figured it would have taken them another two hours to climb the last 500 feet. Ultimately, it was the high altitude and thin air that caused them not to summit that day but, they did climb further than any other group that day and Michele and I couldn't be prouder of them.
After getting home from the hike, the guys decided that their hiking days were over but, as of last week, they are already discussing trying it again and also climbing Mt. Massive as well. Hopefully, next time, they will bring oxygen!
Michele and I took a couple of day trips to an outlet mall (of course we had to shop!) and we also took a train ride through the mountains of Leadville, CO. After the boys got home, we took a trip to Grand Lake, CO and spent the day window shopping and sight seeing. All in all, it was a fabulous vacation and a nice break from the sweltering heat of Texas in June!
The before shot!
The mountains in the background, invisible due to the impending weather!
The view from the guys' tents when they woke up in the morning.
The guys' campsite
Brian just above the tree line!
Kyle and his .50 cal pistol for bears or mountain lions. Fortunately, he didn't need to use it!
Very hard to see but, the lake where they camped is just above and slightly to the right of Kyle's index finger. Amazing to see how far they came!
Kyle at 13,861 ft. The summit is in the background.
The after shot!
Michele and I on a train tour through the mountains of Leadville, CO.
Our Conductor.. oh yes, he did!! Nice chops!
The four of us
My man and I!
Moose on the side of the road!
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