Crunch. Crunch. Crunch is all I hear. The crunch of the wet gravel under my feet has replaced the sound of ice and snow that met me here on the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park only 10 short weeks ago. Secluded from the crowds, my friends and I complete one on my last hikes for my summer here in Estes Park and I take a moment to appreciate their company and savor the last days I get to spend with them here. If you would have questioned my in June, I was moving out here and that was final. As time has worn on, I still want to move out here but realize that in all I just do not want the summer to end. The friends I have formed here are ever-lasting although the summer will not be. Once I leave here, everything will change; Mike and Amanda will set forth on their adventure to Latin America for the Peace Corps, the weather will transform into blistering cold, and the summer hikes will be blanketed in snow that will discourage even the most avid hiker from venturing out. Change. It is never easy especially if it is done right. It is inevitable. All we can do is memorialize our time that we have spent together and hope we do it the right way the first time.

A Mile High Music Fest

My partner in crime, Dawn and I, waiting for Dave in 100 degree heat at the Mile High Music Fest the day after our Long's attempt and very little sleep since Thursday! We left at 10am and got home at 2am but had a blast!

The main stage. Over 40,000 people came and it was quite a well organized event!

Dave Matthews played for 3 hours with his band....

and it was amazing! They say Colorado is the capital of Dave Matthews Band fans and his performs his best concerts in this state and now I can see why!! (Think of his live recordings at Red Rocks and Folsom Field, both in Colorado)

Try #1

At 10pm, after a long day of work on Friday, 4 hikers set out on a hike that they knew woud challenge them both physically and mentally. With their headlamps and nerves ready, they began the 14 hour trek. Within the first hour and a half, we had travelled over 3 miles and above the treeline. For Dawn and myself, this was a feat that we had only dreamed about on our first hike of the season that began at that trailhead. The physically and mental struggles of those first hikes still stung fresh in our memories and our legs and we were beaming to have made such progress. Matching our mood, the moon was out in full force, seemingly acting as a 5th headlamp in the dark of night.

We come to the first mountain, Mount Lady Washington and decide to take the shorter, more strenuous route, straight up the side of the mountain, rock scrambling our way up. This challenge lasts an hour and a half and the winds are picking up by the time we hit the top. We cannot enjoy this summit thanks to 30 degree weather intensified by 50-60 mph winds. We decide to descend to begin our ascent of the next peak.

By the time we reach the Boulder field that acts as a bridge to Long's and Storm peaks, we decide to skip Storm for now and go straight for Long's. When we reach the Keyhole, all we can hear is the howling of the wind, indicative of huricanne force winds ahead. It did not disappoint. As I climb through the Keyhole, I am blown up against the rocks, unable to progress any further safely. We wait for an hour but the wind only increases to about 80mph. Disappointed, we turn around, knowing that safety does come first.

Are we disappointed? yes. Tired? Yes as it is still only 3am. Content? somewhat as now we know we can physically handle the mountain, if only the elements cooperate. We are back in the car at 7:45am as we stopped to enjoy the sunrise. Are there pics? Well 95% of the hike was in the dark so sadly no... but it will be a lasting memory.

Right before we left!

Prepping for Long's

A view from the top of Deer Mountiain

At the beginning of last week, my friend Mike came to work with a propsal... to climb not only Long's Peak, the highest peak in the park at 14,259 feet, but also Mount Lady Washington 13,200, Storm Peak 13,000, and MOunt Meeker, 13,911 feet, all neighboring peaks of Long's. We estimated that it would take us 14 hours of intense hiking to complete and Mike assured me I could accomplish this feat. Despite his enthusiasm, I needed to put my endurance to the test. I decided to solo hike Deer Mountain which is a relatively steep hike after work in the shortest time possible. It took me 1 hour to complete the 3.2 miles to the summit and I was ready to undertake my Long's challenge.

The YMCA from the top of Deer. I am going to miss this place and the people in it!!

Long's peak and its neighboring peaks beckoning me from the top of Deer!!

Running in Florida never gives me views such as this!

Lakes from Sat 7.12 cont

A few lakes and a glacier