Tackling Two 14ers

On the Summit of Torreys

Saturday I tackled not one but two 14ers.  A 14er is a 14,000 foot peak.  There are 54 of them in Colorado.  I did my second and third by hiking Grays and Torreys with four friends.  I'm still an extreme newbie to doing this and for two in our group it was first time to a 14er.  You start at an elevation of 11,280 feet in Stevens Gulch.  Round trip is just over 8 miles.  We took off in 44 degree weather.  The path was green and lush bursting with wildflowers.  As we climb of course it turns more rocky.  We decided to hike up Torreys (14,267) first then Grays (14,270).  Grays Peak is the highest peak on the Continental Divide.

According to 14er.com the trail is 8.25 miles when from Stevens Gulch to do both peaks.  

 

It's a pretty tough workout with the altitude.  We definitely savored the gorgeous day.  The views were spectacular, even with the clouds really rolling in when we were on top of Grays and heading down. 

My friend Chris, who does 14ers all the time, told me the only way to get faster and better at them is to do the climbs.  Everyone reacts differently to the altitude.  You definitely get a chance to push yourself farther than you think you can go.  For beginners plan on it taking 8-9 hours to do both.  There will be lots of breaks.  More intermediate hikers will do it on average in about 5-6 hours.  More advanced hikers and trail runners can do this route in 3-5 hours.  I was having stomach issues from the get go and was fully cramped out for descent.  I made it (barely after close to 9 hours on trail).  If you've seen the movies Bridemaids, there's a scene outside of the bridal shop that could have easily been me several times on the mountain.  I know TMI.

With the pushing yourself and then the views at the top, I can definitely see why so many are hooked on 14ers!

On the Summit of Grays with Torreys in the background.

   

Climbing To New Heights

Today's workout was all about climbing to new heights.  I'm actually afraid of heights but will challenge myself to face that fear and today it was rock climbing in Breckenridge.  I'd rock climbed about two weeks ago in Estes Park.  Other than that, I'd repelled as a child so my rock climbing skills are limited.  It's a workout physically, mentally, and emotionally for me.  There are four of us climbing including two boys, 8 and almost 10.  Of course I was picked to go first.  I started out great...and then about 25 feet up I have my moments.  But I listened to my guide Eric from CBST Adventures and after several catch my breath moments I made it to the top, which was about 40-45 feet high.  It's interesting that the lower part is easier for me that the climbing mentally.  Some folks don't like the feeling of sitting back and walking down the side of the rock.  The whole process of climbing and lowers takes me about thirteen minutes.  Once down on the grounds I still have some shakes but glad to be back on solid ground.  In order to do this climb there's also a hike in and out.  It's about a 15-20 minute hike through rocky terrain and some forest in the White River National Forest.  The view overlooking Windy Pointe and Prospector campgrounds and Lake Dillon with the mountains in the distance is definitely worth the hike and climb!