I am finally back with my fellow flatlanders after having spent much of the last 2 weeks at or above 7,500 feet in altitude. The highest I got was atop La Plata Peak (14,336 feet):
The highest point in the lower 48 states is only 149 feet higher, so I feel pretty good about the climb. In terms of difficulty, La Plata is pretty easy for hardcore mountaineers. But, for a novice such as myself, it was a tough climb; but gratifying.
In 1999 and 2003, I went with my buddy, Tom, on trips to Rocky Mountain National and Yosemite, respectively, and was good for about one or two hikes on each occasion. The second one usually ended with me limping severely on the last half of the hike, my knees foreclosing the possibility of further excursions. I think my fitness kick of the past 1.5 years really helped in that respect. I felt a twinge here and there, but my knees held up very well.
After La Plata, we took it easy for a couple of days in Ouray and Pagosa Springs, both in the southwestern corner of Colorado. Rested and ready for one last climb, we camped south of Breckenridge, and went up Quandary Peak (14,271 feet) which is, fittingly, just south of Hoosier Pass. In fact, Quandary was once known by some as “Hoosier Peak”. Once I heard that little factoid, I knew I had to go up the thing. It’s an easier climb than La Plata, but still a solid hike for an amateur like myself. But, you know it’s not a killer peak when large mammals are hanging out at the top — in our case, a family of mountain goats.
Even so, Tom and I were happy to be up there — what a view!
Tom had the camera, so I’m still waiting on the bulk of the pictures, but if you’re interested there are a few more here.
(One of the oddest moments of the trip came on the way down Quandary. We came across an elderly gentleman heading up the mountain. He greeted us by saying humorously that he was making forward progress and exhibiting vital signs. Then he handed Tom a card that said something like, “Learn the Truth” and then giving a web address. Turns out the address was for the John Birch Society. Man, did he have the wrong two guys.)
>John Birch Society
I had heard of it but had to do a quick Wikipedia search. From the description I can see where he wan’t going to welcome you into the fold any time soon.
A couple of interesting wiki-facts:
The John Birch Society was established in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 9, 1958 by a group of twelve “patriotic and public-spirited” men led by Robert Welch, Jr., a retired candy manufacturer from Belmont, Massachusetts.
A noted founding member was Fred Koch, founder of Koch Industries, one of the largest private corporations in America.
Doug- These are some awesome pics! What a great trip!
Brenda- thanks for pointing me to the wikipedia entry. John Birch Society = libertarian? That surprised me. I’ve circulated far and wide with the Libertarian Party, and can think of only two libertarians who promote the JBS. They do always get me rolling my eyes, because they sound the conspiracy stuff, using phrases like “Council on Foreign Relations”, “Bilderbergers”, and “One World Order” that tend to drive my interest away rapidly.
For my money, I thought JBS was populist, especially in their opposition to NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT, etc.
Welcome back! I’m a little jealous that you’re wearing long sleeves in the pics…must be a jolt coming back to 95+ temperatures…
I think he was counting on oxygen deprivation to help his sales pitch.
(if only he could have taken you about 10,000 feet higher, he might have had a chance!)
Yeah, no humidity and 40 or 50 degrees up at the peaks. Whipping winds on the ridge lines. It’s a close call between those conditions and the 90+ degrees with high humidity here in Indiana.
Stay at the 11,000 or 12,000 foot line, and the weather was beautiful.