Posted by 24.4 miles
It’s my 50th birthday. Unfortunately due to a miscalculation in days I did not tote out any birthday gifts from town like a can of whiskey or cigar. I had planned to be in Grand Lake to celebrate with a nice steak and beer. This will have to wait now. I’m still at least one maybe one and a half days out.
Just before climbing James Peak I had cell service and saw a post of a new fire in the Mt Massive area with CDT closed between Twin Lakes and Tennesse Pass. Luckily I am through this area and ahead of the fire. Hopefully I can stay ahead of the fire season.
Today’s master piece was James Peak at 13,300 feet. Right out of the gate from camp was a 4.5 mile climb up from 10,150 feet where I’d camped. I was prepared and took my time. It took close to 2.5 hours and really slowed me down for the day
Slow and steady was the mantra to reach the summit. I could see another hike ahead on the switchbacks with the same strategy.
Reaching the summit I met Brave Heart along with Red and his dog Blue.
My one peeve for the day was the damn wind. I am so sick of the Colorado winds. Frightening ferocious and enough to knock you off your feet. Every open mountain top, every gully, winds rip up from below and straight through you. Never on your back to assist with a climb, always in your face or on the side when traversing.
Often it was so constant that I would adjust my stride leaning into the wind only for it to abruptly cut out leaving me to fall off balance when it did. At other times you can hear the massive gusts coming, rustling up through the vegetation ready to hit you full on. In these moments it is easier to lean into the hill with walking poles braced waiting for the impact and the gusts inevitable passing.
There were several long traverses of over four miles that I was buffeted every which way, pushed off balance and occasionally knocked over. It’s hard to evoke what it was like. For days now, up high, I have had nothing but that whistling noise in my ears. I am so ready for a change of scenery. I’ve seen enough big Colorado mountains.
My food bag is looking slim. Hope I can make it to town tomorrow.
Mick Beckers 