Mt. Bierstadt Trip Report 07/17/2014

Peak(s):	Mt. Bierstadt - 14,066 feet
Date Posted:	07/17/2014
Modified:	07/21/2014
Date Climbed:	07/17/2014
Author:	holy cross 03

Postponement and Prep Done Right!
Bierstadt is my 2nd 14er after having accomplished Mount Evans last year. I have always been a thrill seeker to the point of using up most of my "9 Lives", but age and wisdom have been good teachers these past couple of years. My trip to Mount Evans in 2013 taught me a few tough lessons: 1: I had a sinus infection for days prior to and on my trip which, in addition to getting AMS, laid me up for approximately 2 months with severe respiratory issues and the infection spread to a full body condition 2: Although I took Advil, plenty of water (64 oz) and food on the trip, I only drank about 8 oz, ate nothing and did not take my Advil dosages, resulting in extreme fatigue, muscle weakness and AMS 3: I did not rest at the Summit - I took pictures and was so excited, I immediately turned back for my descent, contributing to fatigue where I took a double summersault down the scree field, resulting in a hematoma on my femur which lasted 6 months and I was unable to walk for 2 days. That all being said, here in 2014, I planned Mount Bierstadt with hindsight. I read back through my Mount Evans journal and made corrections at every "red flag". I also beefed up my gear by adding trekking poles, a head lamp, a waterproof map pocket and a crash-proof cell phone case. I studied everything available to me on 14ers.com and re-read the material several times, printing maps, pics and routes - assembling them together for my trip. Very much prepared for my set date of 7/15/14, many things, unfortunately started to go wrong the day before. I struggled with a sinus migraine and related issues all day, I was unable to get hydrated or stay hydrated, my "gut instinct" did not feel right and above all, Denver was 2 days into Monsoon weather with rain storms and flooding in certain areas. I went to bed with determination that I was going to get up and go anyway, but could not sleep. The rain storm, in addition to my now skepticism of going to Bierstadt kept me awake. Discouraged, I made a decision at 1:30 am to postpone my trip. The next morning I realized that I made a very sound and wise decision, remembering back through my 14er study that, "The mountain will still be there tomorrow." I checked the upcoming weather for Bierstadt and postponed for Thursday 7/17. In the day and 1/2 prior to my trip, I took the time to super-hydrate myself and stay hydrated, I dealt with my sinus issues, ate well, studied the mountain further and in no time my "gut instinct" was in line. I was ready to take on Bierstadt. Everything on 7/17 was perfect. I arrived at the trail head and started out at 6:05 am. on the route 1 West slope. Steady, and consistent, I corrected my issues from Mount Evans by taking 3 doses of 600mg Advil throughout the trip; drank water at every short rest; rested, ate and drank at the summit (9:05 am); and descended with my trek pole and steady stride with no fatigue or physical issues whatsoever. A perfect hike done right by having the wisdom to postpone and prepping with hindsight. And sure enough, "The mountain was still there" when my time was right. To display your photos (uploaded below) in the final trip report, type the image number (i.e., 1, 2, 3), highlight it with your cursor, and click on the Image button on the right. Example: More image format examples: Float image right: Float image right, width of 300 pixels: Float image left, width of 175 pixels: External image: Float external image right, width of 600 pixels: Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Postponement and Prep Done Right!

Bierstadt is my 2nd 14er after having accomplished Mount Evans last year. I have always been a thrill seeker to the point of using up most of my "9 Lives", but age and wisdom have been good teachers these past couple of years. My trip to Mount Evans in 2013 taught me a few tough lessons: 1: I had a sinus infection for days prior to and on my trip which, in addition to getting AMS, laid me up for approximately 2 months with severe respiratory issues and the infection spread to a full body condition 2: Although I took Advil, plenty of water (64 oz) and food on the trip, I only drank about 8 oz, ate nothing and did not take my Advil dosages, resulting in extreme fatigue, muscle weakness and AMS 3: I did not rest at the Summit - I took pictures and was so excited, I immediately turned back for my descent, contributing to fatigue where I took a double summersault down the scree field, resulting in a hematoma on my femur which lasted 6 months and I was unable to walk for 2 days. That all being said, here in 2014, I planned Mount Bierstadt with hindsight. I read back through my Mount Evans journal and made corrections at every "red flag". I also beefed up my gear by adding trekking poles, a head lamp, a waterproof map pocket and a crash-proof cell phone case. I studied everything available to me on 14ers.com and re-read the material several times, printing maps, pics and routes - assembling them together for my trip. Very much prepared for my set date of 7/15/14, many things, unfortunately started to go wrong the day before. I struggled with a sinus migraine and related issues all day, I was unable to get hydrated or stay hydrated, my "gut instinct" did not feel right and above all, Denver was 2 days into Monsoon weather with rain storms and flooding in certain areas. I went to bed with determination that I was going to get up and go anyway, but could not sleep. The rain storm, in addition to my now skepticism of going to Bierstadt kept me awake. Discouraged, I made a decision at 1:30 am to postpone my trip. The next morning I realized that I made a very sound and wise decision, remembering back through my 14er study that, "The mountain will still be there tomorrow." I checked the upcoming weather for Bierstadt and postponed for Thursday 7/17. In the day and 1/2 prior to my trip, I took the time to super-hydrate myself and stay hydrated, I dealt with my sinus issues, ate well, studied the mountain further and in no time my "gut instinct" was in line. I was ready to take on Bierstadt. Everything on 7/17 was perfect. I arrived at the trail head and started out at 6:05 am. on the route 1 West slope. Steady, and consistent, I corrected my issues from Mount Evans by taking 3 doses of 600mg Advil throughout the trip; drank water at every short rest; rested, ate and drank at the summit (9:05 am); and descended with my trek pole and steady stride with no fatigue or physical issues whatsoever. A perfect hike done right by having the wisdom to postpone and prepping with hindsight. And sure enough, "The mountain was still there" when my time was right.

To display your photos (uploaded below) in the final trip report, type the image number (i.e., 1, 2, 3), highlight it with your cursor, and click on the Image button on the right. Example:

More image format examples:
Float image right:

Float image right, width of 300 pixels:

Float image left, width of 175 pixels:

External image:

Float external image right, width of 600 pixels:

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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