pikes peak ascent, manitou springs, colorado

_ on a drizzly, overcast afternoon, we drove down to colorado springs and decided to climb pikes peak. that's it all the way in the back there, with the miniscule crescent of snow. it's the longest base to peak climb in colorado, almost eight thousand feet, and the peak sits at 14,110 feet.

_ as we packed our gr2's, we ignored the rumble of thunder, and tried to speed up. it was a strong 11 mile hike up to our destination campsite, and we didn't want to get caught out in the dark, or stranded in the rain. lightning accounts for a substantial number of deaths on the mountain, but we also wanted to avoid other, even less predictable dangers. corey prepared himself.

_ we gathered our crew and met up at the parking lot at the base in manitou springs, and then started to climb.

_ the first section of the barr trail is a series of tight switchbacks that lead up the first steep incline.

_ we almost ran up it, making good time, trying to beat the light, stopping only occasionally to cool our engines.

_ the temperature dropped 4 degrees for every 1000 feet, so by the end of the first hour we were already seeing a change in foliage.

_ our packs, laden with tents, sleeping bags, vodka and hot dogs, weighed 50 lbs each, but it was only the weight itself that bothered us.

_ pikes peak was visible up ahead, the distinctive crescent of snow still there.

_ we paused for a group photo, five green berets and two 'city kids'.

_ taking the opportunity, we filled our camelbaks at a mountain stream...

_ ...and wiped the sweat from our brows.

_ but, despite our haste, we walked into dimming day light.

_ soon it was almost night. the lights of colorado springs twinkled beneath the mountain.

_ there was no other option. we pressed on.

_ while the night thickened.

_ so we took out our headlamps.

_ and soon the forest was lit up with floating points of light.

_ we gathered wire from a loose trap for our fire.

_ and shuffled up the last six miles in pitch darkness. deciding against the longer path, we aimed directly up-hill, following the stream up toward where the treeline shelter sits.

_ in the darkness, a pair of eyes loomed up over a nearby boulder. a whisper passed through the group: 'bear'. revolvers came out, tactical lights flicked on, and we scanned the bushes ahead. we held our breath. a breaking of branches: a deer. we continue uphill.

_ and reach the timberline shelter just before 10 pm.

_ nick-named the a-frame for its disinctive shape, it was occupied tonight, so we checked out the area and found a great place hidden by boulders.

_ josh dropped his bags.

_ and jack looked down at the colorado lights.

_ we were exhausted, and changed out of our sweat-soaked clothes into fleeces and long-johns. the temp was dropping to 35 degrees, wind picking up.

_ but our fatigue was the best kind: well-earned.

_ but this was a good spot, right by the stream, in open air, with considerable natural windbreaks. we'd been really lucky that the weather had held.

_ the next order of business was firewood. some of us trekked off into the woods again.

_ while others stayed behind to build up the tents and scout a suitable fire hole.

_ corey and blake found a dead tree cresting a rock gully, and, for the lack of time, decided it was our best bet. they put all their weight against it and pushed...

_ ...and with a great crash in those silent woods, it toppled over.

_ the wood was too bulky to chop correctly, so we pinioned it between the rockfaces, and dropped a boulder.

_ jason and jack tell everyone to clear out...

_ ...and away it goes.

_ success. firewood.

_ we gather up as much as we can, and hoof it back to camp.

_ blake and brian stack the wood and bring out the lighter.

_ and with a little breath...

_ ...a fire.

_ josh mixes up the vodka and tonic we carried up the mountain, and bottles start being passed around.

_ we pierce the hotdogs with the wire from the trap, and construct wooden handles to hold them over the fire.

_ and that's how we spend the night.

_ we're all pretty tired though, so for one minute in ten we're quiet...

_ ...or lost in ranger tv.

_ eventually, we brave the night air, and fall sleep in the open.

_ morning.

_ we're up with the sun, performing our early routines...

_ ...and then, without a real warm-up, we're off again. above the treeline there's still snow on the ground, and we burn past it, making a beeline up the hill toward the last few miles of switchbacks.

_ we're at almost 13,000 feet now, and the oxygen level is about 60% that of sea-level. but now we're kind of getting used to it, so we move up the mountain steadily. for the last few miles there's very little talk, we walk with long strides, uphill.

_ and then that's it! we get to the top, unloosen our shoulder straps, and enjoy the view. (and buy coffees and donuts from the peak giftshop, which, for obvious reasons, we didn't photograph)

_ now that's living the dream.

_ until next time.