Video Mt. Elbert East Face, Solo--Highpoint #11

After reading that the South Mt. Elbert Trail was only 11
miles roundtrip (and you can cut 1.8 miles off of that via a forest service
road), my initial reaction was that of overconfidence and a general feeling of
relaxation and tranquility. The hike could be done in a day. No basecamp, heavy
pack, days of dedication required, etc. Sure, it was a fourteener with 4,600
feet of elevation gain, but only 11 miles. Can't get any easier.

And it was. Sorry to spoil the end, but there's not much to Mt.
Elbert via either of the standard routes. That's why I'm unfilled now and had a
huge realization after the climb. You see, a month earlier I had summited Mt.
Whitney and as soon as I was back at my desk in Ohio, I was buying plane
tickets to Colorado for another venture. But a less challenging one. I would,
however, have a traveling partner for the first time in my wife, although she
wouldn't be hiking.

We got into Denver around 9 p.m. Friday and stayed at Hotel
VQ, right beside Broncos stadium. As a disgruntled Browns fan, I was
disappointed in my reservation.

Saturday we headed west on 70 for about 80 miles and then
dipped south to Leadville, the highest incorporated city at over 10,000 feet. Then
further south to a cabin in Twin Lakes. It was my birthday. Didn't drink to
mark the occasion for the first time since I turned 21. But my wife made me
"wrestle" a lot to honor the day and my legs were shot for the hike.

Like Whitney, I pounded water all day trying to acclimatize.
Then up at 4 a.m. Sunday. But it was so different. Waking up on summit day in a
bed? Being able to make breakfast in a kitchen? Using indoor plumbing? Crazy.
Short drive to the trailhead. Up the forest road (really fun driving if you
have a rental car that you don't mind destroying) and on the trail at 5 a.m.
with leadlight. Only one other car in the lot.

Sunrise right before the Alpine zone. Fantastic views of
Twin Lakes and other fourteeners in the area, like Quail Mountain. Two dots on
the ridge above. Started chasing them—I wanted to be the first on top. Finally
caught then 10 minutes from the summit.

Older couple from New Hampshire. It was their first big peak.
He wanted to join a search and rescue team back east and this was his tryout. Above
the treeline, I was really surprised with the constant wind pressure on the
body, willing you in any direction.

Summit of Mt. Elbert, CO

Alone at the top. I've had the peak all to myself for Mt.
Frissell, Mt. Greylock, Backbone Mountain and Mt. Davis. My climbing partner
cousin of mine and I have been alone at the top of Spruce Knob and Mt. Marcy as
well.

As many understand, if you want less people, go a harder
route (or a less popular mountain). But if Class 3 is your solo limit like me,
then you have to be a bit more creative. For example, I only climb the
mountains east of the Mississippi River in winter and I usually start hiking in
the dark early morning hours. On the descent, there's nothing better than
passing the herds of hikers on their way up, bottlenecking and crowding the
whole time.

Total hike time was four hours, 19 minutes. My legs were
weak and I didn't acclimatize well enough so there was more pain than usual.

The overwhelming euphoria didn't come over me either. Was
just too easy of a hike. Since I started highpointing, it has been about going
to the next level. But Elbert was regression. Time to get serious about Mt.
Rainer or time to consider retirement.

If I do the "Southern Six Pack" this winter and
Mt. Hood in the spring, I think I'll be ready for Mt. Rainier and real climbing
in 2016.