Many apologies for going MIA for a couple weeks. I have been “busy” with fun summer activities and have desired the outdoors more than sitting in front of my computer 🙂 I also had a week long hiking adventure where I was up early to climb mountains and to bed early at night. For some of you that have been following me on facebook or twitter, you have seen my activities but here is a little recap…
Day 1- Mount Evans (14,264′)
Yes, this is the one 14er that you can drive to the top…but that would be cheating if I said I “climbed” it 🙂
There are a few different starting points for hiking Mount Evans. We wanted to take the trail from Summit Lake but the snow on the trail was too deep (Mount Evans had only recently opened). We ended up just hiking up the road but luckily it wasn’t overly crowded with vehicles yet.
I am always a Happy Camper (Santa Fe Brewing) to reach the top 😀
Day 2- Mount Shavano (14,229′)
The first attempt to hike Mount Shavano was unsuccessful…as we were almost out of treeline a storm rolled in. It was starting to lightning and snow blew in. We tried to wait a little while to see if it would blow over but it seemed like we were completely surrounded by storm clouds so we headed back down.
Day 3- Mount Yale (14,196′)
Mount Yale had a very nice trail all the way to the top. However, due to snow/ice in some parts, there was confusion on the path. In one area, you just had to try and follow tracks in the snow but even that led us astray a few times.
Then as we approached the top, ridiculously high winds came up. Instead of walking along the ridge where it seemed the wind would blow you off the mountain, we chose to climb along the side.
We only stayed on top of the peak long enough to take a picture. My feet and hands were pretty numb at this point and I was ready to get down and out of the wind!
Boohai Red Ale from Crazy Mountain Brewery at the top of Mount Shavano.
After returning to Buena Vista we celebrated at Eddyline Brewery.
Day 4- Rest Day at Elevation Beer Co.
Elevation Beer Company is in Poncha Springs which was only about 30 minutes from where we were staying in Buena Vista. There will be a full review coming soon!
Day 5- Mount Princeton (14,197′)
Mount Princeton was well marked for most of the hike but you were climbing rocks for pretty much the whole trail. This can get very tiring on the way back…my legs just didn’t want to lift over another rock!
My mom had been following slowly behind but reached the final stretch (still about an hour up) as we were just getting down from the peak. Since she had already made it that far she really wanted to finish and didn’t want to do it alone…so I headed up to the peak for the second time! Not sure how I made it.
Canker Yanker IPA from Eddyline Brewing at the top of Mount Princeton.
Day 6- Mount Belford and Oxford (14,197′ and 14,153′)
This double peak made for a long and exhausting day! It had one of the nicest trails but with high winds almost the whole time, I was drained. Not only does wind give a larger beating on your body but it really tests your mental strength.
Representing Wild Woods Brewery!
Day 7- Rest Day at the Hot Springs
We went to the Cottonwood Hot Springs to soak our sore bodies. This was my rest day so no pictures! 🙂
Day 8- Mount Shavano (14,229′)
Second attempt to reach Mount Shavano was successful!! We left really early for this one to make sure we did not run into any storms. We also wanted to do a double with Tabegauche Peak so that we could reach our 7 14er goal but we did not succeed at that. We started to hike that way but after going a little ways we saw a lot of snow along the ridge and thought it would be tough. We were also very tired since this was our last day of our week long hiking adventure.
Pale Ale from Upslope Brewing Company at the top of Mount Shavano.
Music For Your Ears:
~Real Life by Tanlines
More To Love:
welcome back! looks like a great time!
Thanks! It was a good time 🙂
What a great post – and it looks like you had a wonderful trip too.
Thanks Georgina! It was fun and tiring 😛
Amazing, looks like a really good time had by all!
It was amazing 😀
Wow! You are totally my hero! 6 -14ers in a week, awesome!
Aww thank you!! 😀 It was tough but fun.
Loving your adventures – nothing better than doing it with a drink in hand too – ha! Happy Adventuring:)
You know how I roll! ha ha 😀
Wow – that’s what I call An Adventure !!
Thanks Cecile! 🙂
Busy is right seems like you had a wonderful time 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I did! Thanks CCU!
Are you on vacation from school right now?
Breathtaking! (Figuratively — and literally, for you!) That sky is so beautiful, and I’m impressed with your strength and your appreciation of all this loveliness (that blue sky is amazing!). Time away from the computer is good for the soul, and this trip looks especially refreshing. Thanks for sharing.
It really was a great trip…not only do I love the physical activity and the amazing outdoors but it is a lot of time to yourself in a way. You are hiking for 7-9 hours a day and you are so out of breath you can’t talk. You are just silent and in your own thoughts…it really is an amazing thing 🙂 It is so breathtaking!
you have way. too. much. fun! love the hiking-beer story you told with pictures 🙂
ha ha thanks Liz! Just cause I was hiking, does not mean I was slacking in the beer area 😀
You have been busy! Nothing says summer like hiking in the snow 😉 My favorite picture is from Day 2. I love how organized the trees are, and you look cute as always.
Thank Andi! On 14ers you never know what kind of weather to expect…you may be sweating and down to shorts and t-shirt and then layering up with gloves and hats as you get higher 🙂
I love the way you celebrate beers and beverages like that under any given circumstances 🙂 And good to your all-smile photos.
Fun post. Loved it.
ha ha thanks so much! It seems like I drink more than I do! Honestly, I just always post about my beers 🙂 Thanks so much for reading 🙂
Not many people can say they’ve been enjoying a brew after a hike up a mountain.
🙂