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North Maroon - Standard Route
Father and Son
14er Finisher!!
This is a pretty special trip report for me because it is the ending to a 24 year journey. My dad took my siblings and I on our first 14er trip July 8th 1990. We climbed Pikes Peak over two days on the Barr trail. I was 10 years old at that time. My brother and sister lost interest soon after, but I caught the mountaineering bug. We were farm kids from eastern Colorado but I felt like I belonged in the mountains. Soon after my dad and I made a promise to climb all the 14ers - let the adventure begin!
I remember when my dad bought me Roach's book. I couldn't put it down. I memorized every map and route description, just waiting for the moment on each peak to recall all that hard studying.
We climbed several 14ers over the next years while I was in grade school. We then stopped for several years while I was in high school and college because of sports and summer jobs. We picked up pretty hard soon after, completing our last 39 peaks in the past 6 years.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to attempt this adventure. It wasn't always easy, but always enjoyable. We got to see parts of the state I would probably never encounter otherwise. Traveling the back roads, visiting small mountain towns, mines and other peaks were almost better than the 14ers themselves. You learn a lot about your perseverance climbing this many peaks.
I couldn't be prouder of my dad. He was an amazing athlete in his early years and still is. He was an ultra-marathon runner in his younger years, participating in such events as the Leadville 100 numerous times. He will be 60 next April! I can't imagine some of the pain he encountered on some of our trips. Every time I was hurting, I tried to remind myself that my dad is twice my age and not complaining. Our pace may have slowed over the years, but that means I got to enjoy our surrounding longer!!
On to our last climb.
We attempted North Maroon last fall and had to turn around at the top of the second gully. The first snow storm of winter came two days prior to our planned trip. We decided to give it a go anyways. We had several family members and friends waiting for us at the lake watching our progress through binoculars. The progress was slow and the snow getting deeper with the elevation gain. I made the ridge above the second gully, but snow was knee to waist deep just below the ridge where my dad was. We were unable to get him above the cliffs. The day was getting late and we were tired. We called down to family via radio and let them know we were headed down. That was very hard to do. I could see the summit of our last peak.....
Fast forward to Monday:
We left Loveland at 9:00pm and drove to Aspen. We arrived at Maroon lake 15 minutes till 1:00. We decided to head out at 1:00am due to afternoon storms threatening. The hiking was easy in the dark because we already knew the route. We had a little trouble locating cairns as we crossed the rock glacier. Luckily I could make out the cliff silhouettes were we begin the traverse into the first gully. We continued up the first gully in the dark and began to see headlamps leaving the lake at this time. We crossed over to the second gully and made it all the way to our turn-around point (top of second gully) before the sun came up. We made the ridge and enjoyed sunrise. Sunrise above the second gully
From here to the top was new territory for us. The chimney comes very quickly after gaining the ridge. I made it up the chimney with no problem, but dad didn't want to try it. I located the Class 3 option from above that is to the right of the chimney and helped him up. Blue - Chimney, Red - Class 3 Route
Continuing up...
The precipice is fun to stand on, make sure and look over the edge. Precipice
The route finding from the precipice to the summit looks intimidating from far, but is no big deal as you work your way up. Route from precipice to summit
We made the summit at 7:02 am and shared a special moment.
We stayed on the summit longer than normal, mainly because the weather looked good and this was the ending. We took pictures and made phone calls. It was hard leaving the summit, but we packed up and headed down. We ran into the first people of the day as we entire the second gully. We would see no other climber the remainder of the day. We made it down both gullies and across the rock glacier without incident.
Then comes the new trail from the rock glacier to the river crossing. The crews did an amazing job making this new trail. It very easy going up, but beat us up on the way down.
We finally made it to the lake, took our last picture and headed home. North Maroon made #55 for us. We did the standard 53 ranked 14ers plus North Maroon and El Diente Peak to make 55. I also completed the other 3 making up the 58 peak list.
I think what makes our story unique isn't necessarily that we are a father-son team, but the first time we summited each peak was the first for both of us. We never climbed a peak without the other. I had plenty of opportunities to climb with friends, but turned them down until dad and I completed it first.
I have so much more to share, but its hard to put into words.
I only have two pieces of advise:
1. Dont attempt anything outside of your abilities or comfort level.
2. You must pay attention to the weather!
Later that night I got a phone call from Kevin Torres @ 9news. He heard about our story and wanted to do an interview. We met with him the following morning and shared our story. He did and incredible job putting it together and it aired on the 6 o'clock news.
Here is the link:
9News story
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I love everything about this! That's one heck of an accomplishment for anyone, and the fact that you got to do it together with your dad.... I'm sure that means the world to you both! Congratulations guys
I don't comment here much, but I had a bit of ”dust” in my eye when I read this and watched the news story. Congrats to you both. It's an inspiration to see such kindness and commitment.
My dad is my main climbing partner too. He has been on most of my first time ups and I have been with him on most of the ones he didn't want to solo. He finished last year at age 68 and I still have 7 left. No matter who you climb with, you are going to form some kind of bond, but when it is your dad, it is just that more special. Savor the accomplishment and all of that time spent together.
Great piece on 9news! My father and I have climbed many 14ers together, and although we won't come close to your accomplishment, every one has been special. Nice job
Congratulations!
My father and I have a similar story (I'll probably write a memoir about it) and are currently sitting at 43 of the 58. It's encouraging to see that it can be done!
Fantastic story! My brother and I are sharing a similar experience with our father. We started in 1991 and have done all of ours together as well. We are hoping to finish with Capitol and Evans next year and celebrate as you and your father have done. What a way to spend time with family!
It's amazing what you can do
Push yourselves to the limits climbing these peaks.
Physically ,mentally and more
The reward is so great !
It's awesome you did it together :-)
What an inspirational read. Thanks for sharing it. No one in my family is healthy enough to share a climb with me, and I envy those who can share summits with their parents. So special !
I love this trip report. It embodies all that is good about hiking, family, setting/reaching goals and a love of the outdoors. Cheers to many more years of climbing together.
...without saying congratulations. I climbed them with my daughter; it's ultracool.
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