A: Grays Peak 2001/07/02. I was attempting Torreys Peak from the Grizzly Gulch Trail head, without any map and compass skills I ended up going straight up the north west face of Kelso Mt. Near the top in a fairly dicey section I looked right and saw the trail I should have been on and figured it all out. I continued to the top of Kelso, descended west into the basin, gained the Stephens Gulch trail to Grays and summited just after noon in a minor storm. It was a long return to my truck but a very rewarding experience. I had hiked and climbed some in my youth, it felt great to finally return to the mountains.

A: I was quite committed by the summer of 2002, my total was 27 that fall. I needed a form of exercise that was fun, had a goal, not too expensive, and I could do on my own if needed, since then many more reasons for mountaineering have evolved and the not too expensive reason does not work anymore

A: Capitol Peak via Mt. Daly and return by Pierre Lakes, that hike pretty much encompassed all the reasons I hike, great scenery at all times of the day, shared with friends, finished one of the toughest and most majestic summits I have done, a climbing challenge, a workout to the max, the evening hike out by the lakes and down Bear Creek was stunning.

A: Mt. Wilson, Memorial Day weekend 2003. This was my first snow climb and I have been hooked ever since. Climbing up that perfect carpet of snow in the early morning sun, great views of Lizard Head, Navajo Basin, and El Diente, knowing I was missing all that talus below, gaining the summit of another tough rated 14er, camping on the Rock of Ages Saddle, excitement on the ridge to El Diente, it just doesn't get any better than that.  

A: In the NW Couloir of Crestone Peak, I was solo, mid June 2003, lots of bad snow. I did enjoy the climb from the thrill aspect, but I played the thrill card a little too hard. This was before I took BMS, my second snow climb, I was not used to the steepness of this one, the north facing couloir was dark and eerie. I was a little nervous knowing that any slip and I would turn into a human pinball bouncing of the sides and shot over the cliff wall at the bottom. I did make the summit after some tough climbing on ice and snow covered rock, the summit felt like a hot summer day on the beach. I would like to return this spring (with protection) to see how it feels now after more experience.

A: Of course; I have already done 15 Centennials, some before I finished the 14ers. I would like to do all the classic traverses that I missed along the way, I have a list of couloirs I hope to start on this spring. Rainier, Granite and Gannet are on the short list as well. I do intend to focus mostly on Colorado however, I know there are many great peaks around the world, but knowing I cannot do everything, I am content with our great recreation area right here.