I have read a bit about the 53 Colorado 14ers - peaks over 14,000ft, and from photos I have seen, it sounds like a majestic place.
I used to do quite alot of hill-walking and mountaineering when I was at college, but since then I have not done much at all. The biggest mountain I have climbed in recent years is Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, South-East Asia's highest peak. That was quite a while ago too! My only recent trips into the mountains have been snowboard holidays.
I am really looking forward to attempting this goal, as the mountains are such special places, and I can't wait to get back out among them.
However, I am a bit concerned about fitness levels for an undertaking such as this, and will have to get to work on the legs a bit to toughen them up again!
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Vote now for "Add 5" extra goals Sunday, July 13, 2008
There have been hundreds of suggestions for extra goals which could be added to my list, many of which sound absolutely fantastic. It has been pretty tricky to narrow it down to only 20 to choose from.
There are so many wonderful places to go too, many of which I have never considered before. I think that is one of the big problems when you start travelling, and see some great places, and meet others who have travelled too. The more you see, the more you realise that there is out there that you would like to see. So instead of getting shorter, your list gets longer and longer.
Anyway, there are a few travel goals on the list, a few activities, and a few experiences too. This list of twenty needs to be trimmed down to five, which will get added to the 95 that I already have.
Cover yourself in honey bees Climb Big Ben Learn to ride a unicycle Spend a week in a silent retreat See an active volcano Live someone elses life for a week See Kakadu National Park, Australia See Angel Falls in Venezuela Climb "7 peaks in 7 days" from the 53 Colorado 14ers (14,000ft+ mountains) Spend a night in a haunted house - alone! Ride an ostrich See the giant redwood trees in California See the Red Paperclip house Attend a live concert at the Hollywood Bowl Visit Red square in Moscow White water rafting See Burg Hohenwerfen, 'Schloss Adler' in film Where Eagles Dare See a plane land at St Maarten Island Become vegan for a month Adopt an animal (preferably an endangered species)
My favourites are (but don't let this influence your voting!!): Learn to ride a unicycle Ride an ostrich See Burg Hohenwerfen, "Schloss Adler" in the film Where Eagles Dare
"Add 5" voting now ended!! Monday, July 21, 2008
Voting for the "Add 5" extra goals has now finished. I have been watching the voting with interest, and have not been too worried about which ones make it into the 100 list, as I think they are all pretty exciting.
However some of the movements are interesting, and it would seem that some people have their own particular favourites, and are very keen for them to be in the top five. A couple of the goals seem to have come from nowhere to appear at the top of the list, whereas others which were early leaders for a while have dropped away. On a couple of occasions a goal has appeared to have several hundred votes in the space of a couple of hours, when other goals have received none!
So in the interests of fairness I asked my web-designer-guru to weed out all the multiple votes from the same IP address, and the final results are as follows.
The five goals added to the other 95 to make up the total 100 goals are as follows (click on the link or the picture to find out more):
Well, as I find myself still jobless in Perth, and therefore with a bit of time on my hands, my thoughts have turned to some weighty issues, and in particular, my goal to get back down to my previous weight of 70 kg (154lb, or 11 stones).
I don't really consider myself to be overweight at all, and have managed to maintain a reasonable level of fitness throughout most of my life. But I have been in better shape than I am now.
Up to the age of around 30 I never had to consider at all what I ate or drank, and always remained thin and fit, as I had an active an physical job and lived a similar personal lifestyle too.
But from my mid-thirties onwards my jobs have tended to be a bit more sedentary, and hobbies have been a bit less physical. I got married, and settled down a bit, and life was pretty easy when we arrived in Australia. (Pizza is very cheap, tasty and convenient here too, which may also be a factor!) My increacing age is another factor, of course, and over the last decade I have had to be much more careful about diet and alcohol intake!
When my marriage came to an end, I was probably the biggest I have ever been; again, not hugely overweight, but I had certainly added a quite a few extra kilos (or pounds if you prefer).
In the UK, weight is measured in stones and pounds (or st and lb). One stone is 14lb. Up to thirty I was always between 11 and 11 and a half stones(or between 154 and 161 lb for our American friends). In Australia everything is metric, and I have now become used to thinking of my weight in kilogrammes, and these weights equate to between 70 and 73kg.
After my separation, my change of employment direction took me to work out in the desert in mining, and there are two distinct options there in regards to health and fitness. I decided to join the sporty, gym crowd rather than those who rushed headlong into the pub as soon as the shift ended.
Throughout 2007 I found myself living on a remote mine camp in the far north of Western Australia, which had great facilities. My favourites were the cooling outdoor swimming pool and the gym. Over the year, with a conscious decision to eat alot more fruit and veg, and a regular exercise regime, I ended up in great shape. I was back down to 70kg, and pretty well toned from both the swimming and the gym.
Since then, I have lapsed a bit - too much time sitting behind a computer initially when I began ALife4Sale, and since I began travelling, too much easy and convenient junk food.
So today is the start day to seriously work towards three of my goals. I plan to get back down to 70kg, get quite a bit fitter for my up-coming "7 Peaks in 7 Days" challenge, which is timetabled for August, and develop a bit of a six pack stomach too!
So today I got the weighing scales out of storage, and found out how much work I have to do. I weighed in at 76.2kg this morning. Not too bad, 7.6kg, or 13.6lb. Time to get on with it.
I will keep a daily chart, and update it every now and then on the blog - after all, this sort of thing is always a bit easier when you make yourself publically accountable in some way. But I will save you the trauma of the "before" picture, at least for now!
Ah, but wait a minute, I have a ticket for a big outdoor concert this afternoon, Kings Of Leon, among many others. Music, sun, beer! Maybe I will make tomorrow the start day!!
Some new plans coming together. Thursday, March 12, 2009
Along with tackling my Australian-based goals, and taking a bit of a break, my main focus while here in Perth is to plan my upcoming travels for the next few months. It's a complicated process, as there are alot of factors to take into account. The biggest hurdle is that many of the goals have specific dates and locations, so for example, to see the Carnival in Rio I have to be there in February 2010, as I missed it this year.
In November there are three events in different parts of the world: Festival of the Dead in Mexico, the Elephant Round-Up in Thailand, and the March of the Red Crabs on Christmas Island. If there is any chance of getting to all these within the space of a few weeks, it is going to involve alot of travel and alot of expense!
But then when I started this journey, I knew it was not going to be easy, or cheap! When I made the final list of 100 goals I did not edit it in any way, and simply listed the things I really wanted to do, regardless of cost or location. That is already giving me a few challenges, but I suppose that is all part of the fun.
So over the past couple of weeks I have started to get organised, and have maps, calendars and lists covering one whole wall. I try to do a bit of planning and research each day, and feel that I am getting a bit closer to an outline idea of how the next year or so may look.
I am still looking for a well-paid driving job in the mines here, and if I get one I plan to hang around and save up some money for about three months, and set off again in July. However, I don't seem to be looking too hard for a job, and am already starting to get itchy feet, and if a job doesn't fall into my lap over the next month, I think I will be off on my travels again in early May.
This outline is by no means complete or finalised, and will be subject to all sorts of change and modification over the coming weeks and months, but it is certainly starting to take shape.
As always, there is the offer to anyone who would like to join in with any of the goals to do so: as I have always maintanied, "Happiness is not real unless shared." So if anything takes your fancy, have a look at the "Join In" page, and get in touch.
And once again, if there is any way that you think you might be able to help with any of this is any way whatsoever, please take a look at the "Help Out" page, and contact me.
Regular updates on my planning and preparation on "The Plan" page.
A few days down in Devon. Saturday, June 27, 2009
My friend Simon, who wrote the very first press release about ALife4Sale back in March last year, and started the ball rolling on the huge amount of international coverage that my auction received, lives down in Devon.
So with a few days to spare before heading off to Spain, I packed some stuff in Martin's trusty car again, and along with Martin and his box of food, we headed west out of London. Martin has a ticket for the huge Glastonbury music festival this weekend, and was meeting up in a motorway services area with his friends who had rented a camper van for the event.
After a quick bite to eat, Martin's pals showed up, and he moved his gear into the camper van, and I continued south, eventually crossing Dartmoor to find the secluded little cottage where Simon and his family live. I hadn't been there long before the trials bike was out, and we were thrashing around the abandoned quarry behind his house.
I have never been very good on a trials bike, and watched amazed at some of the hills Simon rode the bike up and down. I managed a slightly lesser hill, but sensibly knew my own limits and declined to come down the bigger, steeper section that Simon encouraged me to tackle. Maybe a bit more practice needed first, I think.
The next day I headed out onto the hills to try to toughen up my legs in preparation for my "7 Peaks" goal in late August in Colorado, and walked to the top of the moors behind the house. The weather was lovely, and the views were spectacular.
Encouraged by my first foray into fitness, I got up this morning, and after a quick breakfast headed out onto the hills again on a slightly more ambitious circuit. I spent a couple of hours wandering around the hilltops, known as tors here, and thoroughly enjoyed the silence and tranquility.
I think Simon and Helen may have trouble getting rid of me, it is so lovely here. However, I think the weather at the moment certainly helps. I can imagine it is a long, cold, grim winter here!
Their roof of their house can just be seen here on the right hand side of the first of the three pictures below - what a fantastic location!
I am having a day off from the fitness training tomorrow, although a quick walk over the moor to the local pub for Sunday lunch may be on the cards. Then on Monday I have planned a route covering a reasonably challenging "Ten Tors in one day", as more toughening for my legs and feet. Hopefully the weather will remain clear until then!
More goals invites.... come and join in. Wednesday, August 5, 2009
My RV is now repaired, and departure is imminent! The next leg of my trip will take me around the western states of America, where my next set of goals and challenges are scheduled to take place. As always, the offer is there for anybody that wants to come and join in for any of the activities.
The timetable for the next few weeks is as follows:-
6th to 9th August - drive San Francisco to Wendover, Utah 9th to 12th August - Bonneville Salt Flats - Speed Week 15th August - Bobsleigh Ride - Olympic Park, Salt Lake City 16th August - travel down to Colorado 19th August - flight from Boulder, Colorado to London 22nd and 23rd August - Worthing Birdman Competition, UK 24th August - flight from London back to Denver 25th August - drive down to Colorado Springs 26th August to 1st September - "7 Peaks in 7 Days" - also includes Whitewater Rafting
This last week of August probably offers the best opportunity to join in, as there are seven days of hill walking/mountain climbing, starting fairly easily at the beginning of the challenge, working up to longer routes with more technical climbing involved. Also, in the middle of the week is the chance to join in for another goal, whitewater rafting. The schedule for the week is as follows:-
Day #1: Pikes Peak Date: Wednesday August 26, 2009 Start Time: 9am Start Location: Devils Playground Parking Area on Pikes Peak Hwy Estimated Summit Time: 11am Approximate Elevation Gain: 1300’ Approximate Distance: 2.5 miles Car P/U @ Summit of Pikes Peak - Return to C/S then Drive to Dillon, CO Early Dinner at Beau Joe’s Pizza in Idaho Springs approx 4:00pm Wednesday Night: Condo in Dillon
Day #2: Lincoln, Democrat, & Bross Date: Thursday August 27, 2009 Start Time: 7:00am Start Location: Kite Lake Route: Democrat/Lincoln/Cameron/Bross Estimated Summit Time Democrat: 9am Estimated Summit Time Lincoln: 11am Estimated Summit Time Bross: 12pm Approximate Elevation Gain: 3700’ Approximate Distance: 7.5 miles Happy Hour @ Arapahoe Cafe Dillon, CO approx 5pm Thursday Night: Condo in Dillon
Day#3: Drive to Ouray Via Glenwood Sprgs & Black Canyon (6 hr Drive w/ no stops) Date: Friday August 28, 2009 Leave condo in Dillon 8am Optional Hike @ Hanging Lake Trail by Glenwood Sprgs (add 2hr) Optional Detour into N. Rim of Black Canyon (add 2 hr) Happy Hour in Ouray and/or Dip in Ouray Hot Springs approx 4:00pm Drive to Campsite in Yankee Boy Basin & set up camp approx 7pm Friday Night: Tent Camp in Yankee Boy Basin
Day #4: Climb Mount Sneffels Date: Saturday August 29, 2009 Start Time: 6:30am Route: Lavender Col from Yankee Boy Basin Estimated Summit Time: 10:30am Approximate Elevation Gain: 3430’ Approximate Distance: 4 miles Happy Hour @ O’Brians Pub in Ouray approx 3pm Drive to Campsite @ Matterhorn Creek Trailhead & Set up Camp approx 6pm Saturday Night: Tent Camp @ Matterhorn Creek Trailhead Note: Grillin/Chillin/Thrillin Music & Brew Fest in Ouray 8/29 12pm - 6pm
Day #5: Climb Wetterhorn Peak Date: Sunday August 30, 2009 Start Time: 6:30am Route: Southeast Ridge from Matterhorn Creek Estimated Summit Time: 11am Approximate Elevation Gain: 3535’ Approximate Distance: 6.5 miles Happy Hour @ Packer Saloon & Cannibal Grill in Lake City approx 3pm Drive Lake City to Salida - Approx 2hr 20min drive Sunday Night: Chalet in Salida
Day #6: Travel to Westcliffe or Weather Contingency Day Date: Monday August 31, 2009 Leave Lake City or Gunnison: TBD Royal Gorge Rafting Trip beginning @ 8:30am - (4hr + $60)* Hike up to Colony Lakes Base Camp: 3pm Monday Night: Tent Camp @ Colony Lakes *If interested in raft trip, contact Raven Rafting (800)332-3381 - mention that you are with the 7 summits/7 days group and receive a $5/person discount. We are doing the 1/2 day trip
Day #7: Crestone’s (Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, or Both) Date: Tuesday September 1, 2009 Start Time: 6am Route: North Couloir from Colony Lakes Estimated Summit Crestone Peak: 11am Estimated Summit Crestone Needle (if attempted): 3pm Approximate Elevation Gain 4700’ - 5300’ Approximate Distance: 6 miles - 15 miles Drive back to Colorado Springs
As usual, contact me through the "Contact Me" page if you would like to be involved at any point.
Following the week in Colorado, I plan to head to Las Vegas to play some Texas Hold 'Em, and then make my way to LA to try to score a small part in a Hollywood movie - does anyone have any contacts that might be able to help out there?
7 peaks - day 1. Wednesday, August 26, 2009
After my late arrival the night before, I had a fairly easy day around Colorado Springs, and was shown around some of the local sights by Val. We went to see Garden of the Gods, which has some spectacular rock formations, and met with a TV news reporter who wanted to do an article for the news that evening.
We collected a minibus which Val planned to use for the next day's hike to Pikes Peak, and I met a few people at Val's workplace, a couple of whom may be joining us later in the week for a couple of peaks.
That evening Val and Branda had organised a BBQ at their lovely home, and I met many of their friends. Several of them will be joining us for some or even all of the seven peaks.
The next morning we got a reasonably early start, and several fellow climbers turned up at the house for the trip to Pikes Peak, probably Colorado's most famous and accessible 14,000 foot peak, also known as America's Mountain.
There is a road that leads all the way to the summit, and we started our climb pretty high up the mountain, as Val wanted to give me a reasonably easy introduction to mountaineering at such altitudes. There were also a few other beginners like myself in the group.
The weather was cool but clear, and we made our way up towards the clouds which hovered just above the summit. The climb itself was relatively easy, but the air is very thin, and pretty soon I was panting hard, and my heart was pounding. Many of the others in the group seemed to be able to walk quite a bit quicker than me, holding a conversation at the same time, while I simply struggled to gasp for breath.
We reached the summit around an hour and a half later, and I was amazed to find a full car park, a gift shop and restaurant, and a cog railway (the highest one in the world) that comes up to the summit on the other side of the peak. It really is accessible to all.
After a quick break a few of us elected to walk back down to the start point, while others elected to return in the minibus. By the end of the walk my head was starting to pound a bit, and I was certainly feeling the effects of the altitude.
We only had a couple of hours to get ready to set off for the rest of the week, and I hurriedly re-packed and organised my bags, still feeling the after effects of the slight altitude sickness that I had.
Val's friend Tim, who would be joining us for all 7 peaks, drove us to Dillon, where more of Val's friends have a condo that we will be using for the next couple of nights. I elected to take the back seat, and promptly fell asleep for most of the journey. I felt much better when I woke, and we have now settled in to the very scenic apartment for the evening.
Thanks to all who joined me for the first of my Colorado 14ers, making this the biggest ever group of people to have joined me so far on my travels. A great, and reasonably easy introduction to high-altitude mountains.
One peak conquered in one day, only six more to go! More info on Pikes Peak here:- Pikes Peak
7 peaks - day 2. Thursday, August 27, 2009
Day Two of my attempt to climb seven of Colorado's 14ers (peaks higher than 14,000 feet) began early with breakfast at the condo, and an early departure for the day's start point about an hour's drive away.
There would be a group of eight of us climbing today, myself, Val and Tim, who are hoping to achieve all seven peaks, and also from yesterday, Bob, Mary, and Justin. New additions to the group Eric and Paul also joined us. Eric plans to be with us for the rest of the week, and having climbed Pikes Peak before, is also pretty-much doing all seven peaks.
It was cold in the shadow of the mountains as we began our climb, but we soon climbed up into the sun and the layers of clothes started to come off. The day was bright and clear, winds light, and the climb fairly steep, but not too demanding.
I was feeling pretty fresh again, and took my time climbing, and although I could feel the same gasping shortness of breath at times, the first peak of the day was soon conquered, and we stood on top of Mount Democrat, at a height of 14,148 feet, 38 feet higher than yesterday, and a new record for me. (Before yesterday the highest I had been was 13,435 feet way back in 1999, when I climbed Mount Kinabalu in Borneo)
I was feeling fine, and confident about the next two peaks planned for the day, which would take us on a circular route without losing too much height. We dropped down to the saddle and started climbing again, crossing another summit of over 14,000 feet. Unfortunately, Mount Cameron is not counted as a true 14er, as there are several criteria that need to be fulfilled to do so. Mount Cameron is 14,238 feet high, but between there and the next peak, Mount Lincoln, there is less than 300 feet of drop, and less than a mile distance, both of which are required for inclusion in the list of 53 true 14ers.
By the time I reached the summit of Mount Lincoln, at 14,286 feet, lagging a little behind most of the group, my altitude headache had started, and I sat with my head in my hands for a while. More water, and a bite to eat improved my condition, and after another summit photograph, I was ready for the descent to the next saddle, feeling good again.
But the final climb to the 14,172' summit of Mount Bross, was a real struggle, and my head was really pounding by the time I got there. I laid down and closed my eyes, feeling a bit nauseous too, and it was all I could do five minutes later to drag myself up for a final summit photo. I improved a little with some rest, and felt better as we begun our long steep descent back to the vehicles.
By the time we got down I was feeling pretty rough again, and slept in the car on the way back to Dillon. I woke feeling much better, and beer and a burger at our happy hour bar soon sorted me out again. It really is surprising how quick the altitude sickness can come, and then how quick it can go again.
The whole trip took around seven hours, all of which was spent at over 12,000', most of it well above 13,000'. We now have a rest day planned for tomorrow as we travel from Dillon to Ouray, and Val thinks that I shouldn't have too many more problems now, as I should be fairly well conditioned for the altitude. I hope he is right, as the last hour of today's descent was pretty miserable.
The actual walking and climbing itself is reasonably easy, and in England, a walk like today around peaks in the Lake District, or down in Devon, would be a nice easy day out. But at yesterday's altitude, it became one of the toughest days I have ever spent in the mountains. But afterwards, when the head stopped pounding and I had had a bit of sleep, I certainly felt proud of the achievement.
Thanks again to all who came along on tough Day Two, and also for all of the support and encouragement that was much needed. Four peaks in two days!
We left the condo at Dillon at around 9am, and headed west towards Grand Junction. There were now only four in our group, myself, Val, Tim and Eric, the four who would be doing all of the peaks. We made a couple of stops, for fuel and to look at a pretty waterfall by the roadside. The main road, I-70, is spectacular, and at one point winds through a narrow gorge, where the river, railroad, and four lanes of traffic all vie for space, until it gets so narrow that the westbound lanes are built over the top of the eastbound lanes. There is also a cycle track that would be a fantastic ride, almost all downhill from the pass at Vail Summit.
At Glenwood Springs we headed south, and then turned off the main road to a place called Marble, where marble is quarried and shipped all over the country. We had lunch at a fantastic BBQ place called Woody's, and then headed on up into the mountains.
I had expressed an interest in seeing an abandoned town in the mountains, and for four miles we battled up the roughest track I have ever seen in my life. Nobody else seemed at all surprised by the road conditions, and when I asked, I was told that most mountain tracks are like this.
Eventually we arrived at Crystal Mill, which was such a surprise, as it seems to be in the middle of absolutely nowhere! It is very dilapidated, and a sign explained that the historical society was doing its best to keep it in reasonable shape, but that each year the tough, harsh winters would take their toll.
After looking at the mill, and clambering around taking photos, we continued up the track, and I was surprised to see a sign suggesting that we drive slowly through town! We came up over the top of a rise, and entered the town of Crystal. It used to be an old mining town, but had long since been abandoned except by a hardy few that return each summer and maintain the buildings. There was a small gift shop, and a few cabins that could be rented. It would certainly be an out-of-the-way holiday destination! Quite amazing to find there so high in the mountains.
It was almost dark by the time we arrived at Ouray, and we headed out of town to set up camp. Once organised we went back to town and we had a couple of beers with dinner at O'Briens pub, where we were joined by Eric's wife Jackie, sons Brian and Dylan, Loren and his sister Lisa, and Bob and Patrick. It was going to be a busy day on the mountain the next day!
Afterwards we headed out of town to our mountain campsite, and were all early to bed, ready for an early start.
7 peaks - day 4. Saturday, August 29, 2009
5.30am seemed to come very quickly, and I was very comfortable in my sleeping bag, but it sounded like many of the others were up and about, so I dragged myself out of bed. It was still dark, and the sky was incredibly clear. Breakfast consisted of a handful of granola, and a breakfast bar, and a much appreciated cup of tea kindly provided by Eric.
The trip from camp to the trailhead in Tim's 4WD was extraordinary. I have never travelled on such rough roads, up and up into the mountains, an amazingly steep gorge dropping away right beside us. This trail made yesterdays trip up to Crystal look tame by comparison! Eventually we climbed out of the gorge into a huge basin surrounded by mountains on all sides, where we met John, who would also be joining us again, having missed the second day. The sun was coming up, and the views were stunning. We soon geared up, and headed on upwards.
The day's climb was much steeper and rockier than my previous 14ers, and although a bit slower than many of the others in our group, I felt pretty good, and climbed steadily at my own pace, making good progress. I even managed a bit of a conversation with Brian, Eric's son, until he took off at speed again.
The climb became even steeper, and before the peak, Loren sat astride a large buttress pointing the way. I opted for the more difficult climb, and really enjoyed the approach to the peak.
The peak of Mount Sneffels is 14,150' high, and offers a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains. Conditions were clear, and there was hardly a breath of wind. It really was amazingly beautiful. After the obligatory summit photos were taken, and the summit log book signed, any of our group soon started to head down. I held back, as did Loren, and as everyone else disappeared, we sat and enjoyed the view in silence. Colorado is truly a stunning, and very special place.
But the day's adventures were not yet over! After the return to the vehicles, we went back down to Ouray, and enjoyed both the hot springs and the beer festival in the park, followed by a fantastic Mexican meal. It is a lovely town hidden away at the end of a cliff-sided valley.
The next part of the journey took us over Engineer Pass, which goes from Ouray to Lake City, the highest point being 12,800'. It is an incredibly steep climb, over the roughest roads I have seen so far, and that really is saying something, after the roads I have seen so far! But the most incredible thing was that Loren elected to take his old Subaru Legacy over the pass too, along with the other 4WD vehicles.
Loren had bought the Legacy for $1,200, and it had over 160,000 miles on the clock. For those not familiar with the model, it is an all-wheel-drive vehicle, but has no extra clearance, and is really only a standard family vehicle. What Loren managed to do with it was brilliant, and the most entertaining part of the trip so far. The only damage was a broken fog lamp, and a couple of dents in the sills and floor pan. A truly awesome drive! I have loads of video of the amazing drive, but until I get it edited, here is one picture that might give you a bit of an idea of how mad these Colorado guys are!
Update: 3rd Sept: Video is now done, check out Loren's amazing feat of offroad driving:-
It was pretty dark by the time we got over the scary 12,800' summit of Engineer Pass, and I was sort of glad that I couldn't see the drop-off for most of the journey. We decided not to bother with tents, as it was so late, and simply emptied the truck beds out, and slept in the back of the pick ups. Alarms were set, and we looked forward to another 5.30am start! Five peaks in four days so far!
More on Mount Sneffels here, including a great panorama pic from the summit:- Mount Sneffels
7 Peaks - day 5. Sunday, August 30, 2009
Once again the keen local boys were up before I was, and once again I had to force myself out of my warm sleeping bag. The flatbed of the pick-up had been surprisingly comfortable, and it had been a clear, dry night.
The early morning routine was becoming quite familiar, as people wandered around eating breakfast and packing bags for the day. When everyone was ready we made the mercifully short trip over the now unsurprisingly rough approach road to the trailhead, and were ready for departure at 7am.
On the early stages of the trail we bumped into the final additions to the day's climbing contingent, when we met Bruce and friends, Jerry, Kevin and Tim. The planned route to the summit of Wetterhorn Peak, at 14,015', was longer than yesterday's climb, and involved more vertical height gain too, so day by day things are getting tougher.
However, again I was feeling pretty good, and hoped that I would fare as well as yesterday, when I had had no real ill-effects from the altitude, other than the expected breathlessness.
Eventually the winding trail led to the saddle, and the climb became steeper, and just below the spectacular summit, the climbing became even more challenging and exposed. It was a great route, and again we were lucky at the summit to have some awesome views, as we were just below cloud base. The weather was closing in a bit though, and we had a brief flurry of snow on the summit before heading down again.
It was a long trek back down, but we maintained a good pace, except when we came across a couple of marmots sunning themselves on the rocks, reluctant to get out of our way. I had only seen smaller ones before, and had no idea that they grew so big. They are quite funny, squeeking as walkers go past, and dashing about without much fear of climbers. Eventually we made it back to the vehicles just inside the planned six hours.
Many of the large group we had gathered over the course of the weekend said their goodbyes, and finally we were left with the core group again of the four of us.
From Lake City we drove through Gunnison, and on into Salida, where it was raining by the time we arrived. Without too much discussion, it was agreed that a comfy room at the Days Inn was much preferable to a wet night at the campsite.
Another fantastic and challenging day in the mountains. Six summits in five days! Tomorrow is a planned rest day, although we are not planning on taking things too easy, as we are booked for a whitewater rafting trip first thing in the morning!
Goal 56 - Whitewater rafting. Monday, August 31, 2009
Our day off from slogging up the mountains was far from relaxing. After a great night's sleep at the Days Inn, and a fine breakfast we were on our way to Raven Rafting at the head of Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River, where we met Diane, Val's cousin, who would be our fifth rafting team member for the day.
We were geared up, some of us opting for wetsuits, other tougher locals happy to simply wear shorts and t-shirts. I went for the warmer wetsuit option! A short minibus ride took us to our start point, and we launched pretty quickly, our guide Carrie happy to give us our instructions and safety talk once we got moving.
The first rapids were pretty shallow, and we scraped and bumped down them, and started to get our paddling teamwork together. We had arrived pretty much at the end of the rafting season, and the river was low, the flow being about 280 cfs (cubic feet per second). In June, when the river flow is at it highest, the flow can be over 3,000 cfs! However, the lower levels would make the trip quite technical, and would mean we would actually have to do alot more paddling to make our way through.
As the walls of the gorge narrowed and we entered the canyon the rapids got bigger, and we started to drop into some more exciting, tricky sections. At one point we got well and truly stuck, and Carrie later told me that I needed write in the blog for anyone familiar with the river that we were left at Bird Drop (oops!) in Sledgehammer Rapid! I guess we weren't meant to go that way! It certainly took some teamwork to get us out again.
The scenery was very spectacular, and the steep sided canyon had all sorts of interesting and unusual features. A railway ran through the gorge, and the train passed by a couple of times, filled with waving tourists. There were remnants a water pipe that used to run along just above the river, from a past era of mining here, now just a skeletal framework. There was a steep cog railway up out of the gorge, a rollercoaster that hung out high above us over the steep cliffs, and the highest suspension bridge I have ever seen!
Halfway down the river there was an opportunity to get out of the rafts and do some jumping off the cliffs, which was fun. Well done to Diane, who pushed herself to make the jump, and did so in fine style.
After a couple of final exciting rapids we began the easier final approach into Canon City, and I got to have a go at steering the raft, and calling out the instructions for the rest of the crew, which was fun, although I don't feel I was quite awarded the same amount of respect that our guide Carrie was!
What a fantastic trip, thanks again to Val for organising things, to Tim, Eric and Diane for joining in too, and of course, to Carrie, our wonderful guide, and the rest of the staff at Raven Rafting.
That night we made our way back up into the mountains, up a 4WD track out of Westcliffe, that, believe it or not, made the previous tracks look relatively smooth. We found a fantastic campsite just below Colony Lakes, and made a campfire. I made the most of a couple of hours of down-time to try to catch up on writing about the previous days' adventures, which seemed to amuse the others. I admit it must look unusual to be sat in the middle of the wilderness with a computer perched on a log, but it's been a busy week, and you have to fit blog-writing in whenever possible!
7 peaks - day 7 - Goal 57 finally achieved! Tuesday, September 1, 2009
We didn't quite get the early start we had hoped for, but were still on the trail towards South Colony Lake at the foot of the Crestones before the sun came up. Once again it looked like the weather was going to be kind to us, and we would have a full week of perfect conditions.
Above the lake the climbing soon became steeper, and the four of us made good progress towards the saddle. Above that the path became much steeper and rockier, and the hughely enjoyable climbing began.
The easiest route suggested climbing to about 13,800' up the east gully, then traversing into the easier top section of the west gully, but there is a slightly harder climb which continues up the east gully. I was climbing well, and felt pretty confident on the solid rock, and elected to continue straight up. I climbed fast, now above the others, and decided I wanted to be the first to the summit for my final peak, and pushed on, panting hard.
It was such a fantastic climb, in perfect conditions, on great, solid foot- and hand-holds, that despite the effort, I had a hugh grin on my face. At the summit, I had about four or five minutes before Eric arrived, followed by Val and Tim. I signed the summit log book, and for a short time, I was the only person who had been on the summit of Crestone Needle during September!
The weather was perfect, not a breath of wind at the summit once again, but the view was quite hazy, we suspected because of hugh bush fires currently burning to the west in California.
We sat in quiet reflection on the summit, our goal having been achieved, and were soon joined by Laura, who Val knows from his work, and her brother Brian. They were planning on continuing onward across a very steep looking traverse to Crestone Peak, which we had also considered, but had decided we would probably not do.
However, after some discussion, and a bit of time spent surveying the route Val, Eric and myself decided to join Laura nad Brian. Tim, who has already done all of the Colorado 14ers, decided to head back the way we had come, and we all wished each other well.
The descent off the needle was a steep down-climb on good holds, but with quite an intimidating drop below. All our group managed without need to resort to the ropes we had, and we continued down and across the steep terrain towards the next summit.
Navigation through the steep crags was tricky, and we headed down one steep gully and around towards the next. There was more up and down climbing, and eventually we were almost below the summit of Crestone Peak. I elected to stay on the steeper, but solid rock and climb up, rather than head around to the next gully. Followed by Eric, we headed upwards, and reached the peak without too much difficulty, on great climbing holds in a fantastic location.
The others joined us, and there were congratulations all round. After a bite to eat it was time for the journey down, which took us down a steep, loose gully, probably the most dangerous part of the day, as occasionally a slip would send a rock cascading down to those lower down. All went well though, and after another steep climb down and out of the gully we reahed better terrain, and slightly easier conditions along a rocky ridge.
I really was at the end of my stamina, and the journey back to the vehicles looked like an endless trudge ahead, and I was amazed and very impressed when Laura nad Brian decided to collect a third 14er, by heading up the steep but easy slopes of Humbolt Peak.
We eventually reached the vehicles, and after a tortuous journey down the rough track, we made it back to Westcliffe, and treaded ourselves to a well-deserved beer and burger.
What a long, hard day. We were away from the vehicles for almost 12 hours, most of which was pretty tough going, but eventually we have not only managed to achieve the goal, but over-achieved by managing 8 peaks in 7 days. I think we all felt justifiably proud of ourselves.
I have had an amazing week here in Colorado, which really is a stunningly beautiful place. Despite all the miles we have driven, the tracks we have battled up, and the trails we have climbed, I feel like I have only just scratched the surface of this incredible place.
My hughest thanks to Val, who has done an incredible job of putting all of this together, and offering me a truly wonderful experience, and a tough, rewarding challenge. This goal has certainly been the one which has required the most consistent and long term effort, from cycling and swimming while in Perth, visiting the gym with Martin and Rachel in London, and climbing the steep hills of San Francisco, followed by a steadily increacing set of challenges here in Colorado.
Hugh thanks also to Tim and Eric, who accompanied Val and I for the whole of the challenge, and did a fantastic job of driving around the whole enormous state, and up and down some of the most roughest roads I have ever seen.
And thanks of course to everybody else who came to join us on one or more of the peaks - Brenda, Jackie, Bryan and Dylan, Laura and Brian, Loren and Lisa, Bob, Patrick, Jerry and Mary, Paul, Justin, John, Amanda, Jonathon and Camilla, Eric and Aletha, Jack and Susan, Bruce, Jerry, Kevin and Tim. I hope I haven't missed anyone, but apologies if I have, I have met so many people here, and so many people have come along on the climbs. This really must be one of the fittest places I have ever been to! Great people, great place, great fun. Thank you all.
After finishing the "7 Peaks in 7 days" challenge I had a couple of spare days before meeting my friend Andrew, also from Australia and also travelling around the States at the moment. As I was due to pick him up at Denver airport, Val and Brenda suggested that I could stay with them an extra day or two and relax a bit.
Their friend Kris, who I had met at the BBQ before we went off climbing, offered to show me around a bit, and we had a great afternoon driving around with the top of her convertible Saab down, through the beautiful Garden of the Gods, and took a tour around the fantastically situated house, Glen Eyrie.
Kris has faced some significant challenges in her life, and does some motivational speaking, and I was keen to hear more of her inspirational story, and quiz her a bit on how she got started on the speaking circuit. What a great afternoon! More about Kris here: Kris Harty
Kris dropped me off as Val finished work, and the next activity really caused me to wonder about the nature of relaxation here in Colorado. Val had suggested trying out The Incline, where locals go for a bit of excercise, and I thought it sounded like a good idea!
The incline is an incredibly long and incredibly steep climb up the remains of an old cog railway. All that is left now are the wooden sleepers (or ties, as they are called here). Val's target time was around 35 minutes, as he is a regular at this, and comes a couple of times a week. At the start of the climb we bumped into Laura, who had joined us on a couple of peaks over the previous week, and her training partner.
As soon as we started I found myself at the back of the group, with Buddy, Val's dog, occasionally running back down to me to see how I was doing, and encourage me onward.
The climb was long and tough, and I was panting hard all the way, but pushed myself on. The false summit before the end is a bit of a heart-breaker, but I was very proud, despite being the slowest of our group, to achieve a respectable time of 43 minutes on my first attempt. I am certainly fitter than I was a week ago.
Unfortunately, Andrew's plans had to change, and family circumstances meant he had to fly back to Australia at short notice, so I changed my plans a little too. Val was planning a surprise party for Brenda the next day, and suggested that I should stay for that.
He also mentioned that it was Labor Day Weekend, and the Colorado Balloon Classic was on in the local park.
We were up early the next morning, and taking me to see the hot air balloons gave Val the perfect excuse to get Brenda out of the house for a while, so her family members could get into the house and prepare their surprise.
Weather prevented the balloons from taking off, but the sight of them all inflated ready to go was quite spectacular.
Brenda's reaction was fantastic when she discovered her family from all over the country in her front room. Val had done a great job of getting everyone organised, and Brenda had had no idea that something was going on.
In the evening more friends arrived, and I enjoyed catching up again with many of the people who had joined us on one or more of the peaks. Val and Brenda's nephew Matt was also celebrating his birthday, and was keen to go skydiving, and before long, Val, Eric and his wife Jackie had also decided they would go and jump the next day. I rang the dropzone, and confirmed that I would be able to hire gear there and jump too, and we had an enthusiastic group organised.
This morning we were off fairly early, and at the Canon City dropzone, once my paperwork was checked, and everyone trained for their jumps, we were into the plane and off. I had to sit by the open door, which was slightly nerve-wracking, and my first jump was from 4,000 feet. Also on board were Matt and Val, and their tandem masters. At my exit height I had no room to do anything but roll out the door, and after about 8 seconds of freefall I pulled my chute, and enjoyed the flight down.
On the ground I was given a second parachute, and along with Jackie and Eric, headed back to the plane, meeting the first jumpers as they landed. Matt's face was a picture of excitement, and he had obviously thoroughly enjoyed his first jump.
Back in the plane, now with a lighter load of fuel, I could go to maximum height with Eric and Jackie, and had brought along my small camera that fits in a glove on my left hand. The video from it is okay, but as my left hand also had the altimeter in it, and is used to steer the canopy too, some of the video is a bit shaky.
It was fantastic to get back in the air again, and also good to be a little more current, as I have a few skydive goals to attend to soon. The last jump I did was back at Easter in Perth.
Well done to Matt, Val, Eric and Jackie. What a fantastic day, and all organised at the last minute at a party the night before. That's relaxation Colorado-style!
We were back at Val's for lunch, and after finishing this blog it is time to hit the road again. I plan to take my time heading to Las Vegas, as there is alot to see between here and there.
I will be sad to leave here, as I have had such a fantastic time. Colorado is such a beautiful place, and I am sure I will be back again one day. My thanks to Val and Brenda for being such wonderful hosts, and my thanks too to all their friends and family who have welcomed me to their group with open arms. What a a brilliant couple of weeks.
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Colorado United-States - No specific date
