Climbing fourteeners. POTD 1-18-07
Colorado is full of mountains above 14,000 ft we call "fourteeners." There are people who make it their challenge to climb them all, and believe it or not...they complete their challenge, sometimes in one season. I'm in awe of these folks for I know the endurance and strength it takes to climb one, let alone all of them. My DH and I recently climbed Pikes Peak and wow, was it an amazing expeirence-but challenging as well. We started at 3:00am, ready to go...completed the journey at 3pm. Pikes Peak is 12.6 miles up and yes, then...you have to turn around to come down. I personally found it difficult once we past the tree line (where trees don't grow anymore) because the air becomes quite thin. You can't stop and start and bunch of times, you have to keep up your momentum. That was my mistake. I wanted to stop and take photos. Yes, I will do just about anything for a photo and think I went through 3GB of memory...in JPEG none the less!! Once you get to the top, there are gazillions tourists wanting to talk to you for you just climbed a mountain. All you want to do is hit a bathroom and get a donut from the donut shop on top of Pikes Peak. I won't even tell you how my hair looked or how I smelled. I'm amazed anyone wanted to talk to me to tell you the truth.
I love a challenge! I love living here, but this year...I especially love it. Everyday I'm reminded of the challenge I completed when I look at Pikes Peak. I think to myself on what personal reward it was climbing that mountain and then...thinking to myself "What were you thinking?"
Off to my next adventure....
16 comments:
Great story behind the beautiful picture! You've got more stamina than me--I'd never be able to climb a mountain!!!
Beautiful!!! Ya for you for doing that!!! It will be a great memory every time you look at that mountain!!
Good for you!! That sounds like fun! And that's a great shot.
The picture is beautiful! More beautiful is your story! I'm in awe.. I could NEVER climb a fourteener in the shape I'm in! Kudos to you!!
Great story behind the that fabulous photo. I bow to you for making the climb, what an accomplishment, congrats.
I've climbed Pike's Peek! It was probably the worst time of year for it . . .middle of summer with a heavy backpack along. Ugh! But beautiful, anyway. I really love all the pics you've posted in the last couple of days. Keep up the good work!!
Your hometowm pictures and stories are so amazing. I cannot wait to see more. TFS
Beautiful picture and great job on the climb...I love the mountains, and am looking forward to doing some hiking myself up here in the Canadian Rockies, essentially a couple hours outside my back door.
Wow what an amazing pic. Congratulations on the climb. This sounds like a wonderful place to live.
Great shot! I've really been enjoying your pictures. We went to Colorado Springs on vacation in 2004 and loved it there!
too cool to have climbed a mountain! now you can say that you can do anything! nice pictures too! LOL
A 14'er is quite an accomplishment! Way to go! Lovely picture, too!
amazing. i can't even go up the stairs at work w/o being winded. but i'll get back in shape soon enough and i'll tell you all about my hikes (ok not really but still). you have a beautiful backyard (and training site too). tfs!
I love your story.Great pic,too!
Great photos & even better story!!! I just love seeing your photos of Colorado. I am in love with that whole state. We had to miss our annual trip this year since my hubby is deployed, so I especially appreciate seeing it through your lens!
I've been to Pike's Peak... but I took the easy way! ;) And Garden of the Gods is one of my most favorite places on Earth.
Beautiful mountian top. Love how you captures the snow blowing on the mountian top
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