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Amy and I started up the standard trail at 5:38am, hitting the pass(11,600') at 6:25am. At 7:09am we were over the creek(10,600'). Most of the campers were just rising. We followed the nice trail up through the trees. Once above treeline(11,600'), it becomes more difficult to follow, but the goal is clear enough. We passed several hikers on this portion and hit the relatively flat portion before the final hill.
Amy continued leading the way, and as we ascended the last 500' several hikers passed us heading down. Another hiker had stayed with us for a while after we passed him, but thanks to Amy's speed he dropped back. We summitted at 9:29am, and I guessed we would have about five minutes alone on the peak.
I considered my future, then decided to attempt the crux move. Amy had stepped off the summit block, and I asked her to return for a photo. Interestingly, what came out of my pack was not a camera but a small jewelry box. I asked her if she would marry me.
We enjoyed a couple more minutes alone, then a crowd collected on the summit. The weather was pleasant, so at 10:12am I sped over to Holy Cross Ridge, a nice scramble. Clouds were increasing, so Amy started descending. She waited for me down at the creek and then started a blistering pace back up the pass, which we reached in 35 minutes. We arrived back at the trailhead at 1:59pm.
Oh, and whether due to the low oxygen level or mild cerebral edema I don't know, but she said, "Yes." |
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