Six Peeps

July 21, 2008

Mt. Yale, trip report! You can trust me over 14,000 feet.

The verdict on Mt. Yale: a perfect 14′er in the Collegiate Range. This was a really great day trip. We started not too crazy early, 6:00 AM. We actually got up at 3:30 AM but by the time we ate and drove from Lenny’s cabin to the trail head, 2 hours had gone by.

The hike was really nice. A little steep in parts, but Lenny and I busted up the mountain, passing several people on the Ascent. We both felt to be in great shape. Lenny and I both ride our bikes instead of driving cars and they say that you use the same muscles in your legs riding and hiking upward. This was also my first 14er since losing that 25 lbs of fat so I could totally tell a difference!

At the summit ridge, there were a few Class II+ moves as we decided to leave the trail and go straight over the top. Nothing death-defying, but enough to give us a good sense of adventure. You can stay on the right or left of the ridge for an easier route to the summit.

Here are the photos!

This is Lenny, who is a great friend of mine from College. We are also business partners, as he’s the one responsible for building www.ganderproofs.com. I admire his commitment to the minimalist lifestyle that he and his family live each day. Lenny has not driven to work in over 7 weeks, prefers to ride for the fun and exercise like myself. He’s huge into gardening and you should see his backyard, they hardly ever have to go grocery shopping for food, it’s really amazing. They even have chickens for pets/eggs, which live happily in their huge backyard. Talk about living within your means! The 4 chickens cost them $2.00 each and they will be popping 8 eggs each day. So when our economy takes the toll and gas prices are freaking everyone out, Lenny and his family will be enjoying a nice quiche, or maybe some deviled eggs, perhaps a fluffy omelette, yada yada yada.

At the summit, he was striking a few poses for the camera. Somebody get him on America’s Top Model! I love the extra grainy sepia!!!

I love being so high, you can totally feel the thin air at 14,000 feet. I love being right there in the clouds. That’s about 2.5 miles above sea level! Awesome!

Next week is the biggie: I’m meeting Terence at the base of Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peak for my second attempt at those. Get ready for an AWESOME post!!!! Ta-Ta For Now!!!

July 21, 2008 |