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Elevation: 14,433’
Elevation Gain: 5,039’
Distance: 12.7 miles
I left my house in Golden at 4:00 AM yesterday and arrived at the winter South Elbert TH at about 6:15 AM.
As I was gearing up, a good friend and fellow gridder (who wishes to remain anonymous) pulled up next to me in her car. She was also planning on doing a solo ascent of Mount Elbert. I opened my window and asked “The Grid?” She replied “Yes”. We laughed and got ready to start hiking.
The Grid is one of the best things to come out of 14erWorld (thanks to John Prater), because it has given many of us a new challenge and a good excuse to return to our roots, the 14ers.
We didn’t wear snowshoes to start out, but decided to put them on at the base of the south ridge. Bringing the snowshoes proved to be a good decision because shortly after donning ours, we came across a hiker on his way down who turned back because he didn’t have them.
No matter how many times I climb this route, I still get fooled by the number of false summits. Maybe its wishful thinking, but I always forget about the final one.
As we had done so many times in the past, my partner and I raced each other to the finish and I was childishly pleased to reach it first, if on by a few steps. We laughed, and she commented that I haven’t lost my third lung.
We arrived at the summit in 5 hours and 30 minutes and were back down at the cars after a total time of exactly 9 hours.
It was a great weather day and the unexpected company was a real treat. I hope for many more accidental meetings in the future. |
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