Mt. Elbert Trip Report 08/14/2007

Peak(s):	Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
Date Posted:	08/14/2007
Date Climbed:	07/04/2007
Author:	Pazuzu

Mt Elbert - Northeast ridge, first 14er climb
I've been reading this website for some time and have found some very valuable information here, so now I'd like to contribute in some small way if I can. This is my first trip report so go easy on me! I decided earlier this year that I was going to climb a 14er just to prove to myself that I could. I chose Elbert because I figured if I could survive the highest peak in the Rockies I could handle anything! Also its classification as an "easy" mountain had a lot to do with it. I prepared myself the best I could for this by doing several local hikes such as Horsetooth & Greyrock mountain every weekend. Just 4 days before going to Elbert I climbed Medicine Bow Peak (12,013') in southeast Wyoming (which is an absolutely beautiful area BTW). I talked my friends Jess, Brenda, and Brian into going on this crazy adventure with me. Brian had climbed 10 other 14ers at that time, but for the rest of us this was our first experience above 14,000 feet. We decided on the 4th of July since none of us had to work. I can't think of any other way I'd have rather spent that day. We started up the trail at 6:30 on July 4th under clear blue skies. The road and the trailhead were in good condition and there was no snow to be seen anywhere. The beginning of the trail looking up at what I thought was the summit. The trail was in very good shape, and was quite a pleasant hike through a nice forest. What immediately struck me about it though was just how steep this trail is. Almost right away my heart was pounding as I huffed & puffed my way up the mountain. Mt Elbert may be a technically easy mountain, but you'll definitely get a serious workout hiking on it! After what seemed like all morning but was probably an hour or two we were near treeline. You can see how miserable I was at this point. Little did I know the real fun was about to begin. At least we were treated with some amazing views of Mt Massive from this point forward. . After we ascended out of the forest the trail continued straight up for what seemed like eternity. The higher we climbed however, the more spectacular the view became. . I knew I was in pretty sad mountain climbing shape (thus the whole reason for this trip) but it was still demoralizing to have people frequently passing me, some that looked like they were in their 60s. We did meet a nice couple from Houston that looked to be struggling as much as I was, so that made me feel slightly better. Near 13,000‘ we encountered a small lake that was an unnatural green color. . From here we could see a group of hikers directly above this lake climbing Elbert's east ridge. Then began the steepest part of our journey. At this point I started to experience some altitude sickness. I had a pounding headache, my hands were swollen to about twice their normal size, and if I tried to move too fast I would get so dizzy I'd almost pass out. The only way I made it past this grueling section was to gulp down lots of water, shuffle forward 5 or 6 steps, stop and take a few breaths, and repeat. I probably should have quit but my stubborn determination to see the summit kept me going. A lot of climbing and 2 or 3 false summits later we came to the last one, where the final summit approach was visible. Jess & I at this point. It was hard to believe but we were almost there! Jess & Brenda ran forward (they were in front the whole way), but Brian hung back with me as if he expected me to collapse from a heart attack at any moment. About 5 minutes later, at 11:30 we joined the party on the summit. It was crowded, there must have been at least 60 other people on the summit. However the experience of making it to the summit was pure euphoria, and worth all the abuse I put my body through to get there. from left to right - Jess, Brenda, Brian, and me hanging out and having some lunch on the summit. The views from up there were indescribable, and pictures can't do them justice. Being my first trip to this area I didn't know what I was looking at, but I believe this is looking west to Snowmass Mountain, way in the distance. I think this is looking south to La Plata, and this is Mount Massive with the Mosquito Range in the background. We hung out up top and enjoyed the view until about 12:15 when the clouds began getting thicker. I was somewhat re-energized after lunch, but I was mistaken thinking the journey up would be the hard part. The trip back down was indeed a scenic voyage through the kingdom of pain. I never thought I'd make it back to the trailhead. I won't go into too much detail, except to say that it took another 3-4 hours to descend the mountain and my back, knees, ankles, and feet were so sore I could barely walk for several days afterwards. In addition to that the 3 hour drive back to Fort Collins was anything but fun. Despite all of that this was one of the best experiences of my life and my only regret is that I waited this long to begin climbing Colorado's amazing 14ers. I'm now unquestionably hooked for life and most of the time my thoughts are consumed by where I might go climbing next. Mt Elbert was a hard climb for me, but each time I go climbing it gets a little bit easier. I'll always remember Elbert as my favorite, for the simple reason that once conquered it gave me the confidence to keep going back to Colorado's magnificent mountains again and again.... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mt Elbert - Northeast ridge, first 14er climb

I've been reading this website for some time and have found some very valuable information here, so now I'd like to contribute in some small way if I can. This is my first trip report so go easy on me!
I decided earlier this year that I was going to climb a 14er just to prove to myself that I could. I chose Elbert because I figured if I could survive the highest peak in the Rockies I could handle anything! Also its classification as an "easy" mountain had a lot to do with it. I prepared myself the best I could for this by doing several local hikes such as Horsetooth & Greyrock mountain every weekend. Just 4 days before going to Elbert I climbed Medicine Bow Peak (12,013') in southeast Wyoming (which is an absolutely beautiful area BTW).
I talked my friends Jess, Brenda, and Brian into going on this crazy adventure with me. Brian had climbed 10 other 14ers at that time, but for the rest of us this was our first experience above 14,000 feet. We decided on the 4th of July since none of us had to work. I can't think of any other way I'd have rather spent that day.
We started up the trail at 6:30 on July 4th under clear blue skies. The road and the trailhead were in good condition and there was no snow to be seen anywhere.

The beginning of the trail looking up at what I thought was the summit. The trail was in very good shape, and was quite a pleasant hike through a nice forest.

What immediately struck me about it though was just how steep this trail is. Almost right away my heart was pounding as I huffed & puffed my way up the mountain. Mt Elbert may be a technically easy mountain, but you'll definitely get a serious workout hiking on it!
After what seemed like all morning but was probably an hour or two we were near treeline.

You can see how miserable I was at this point. Little did I know the real fun was about to begin. At least we were treated with some amazing views of Mt Massive from this point forward.

.
After we ascended out of the forest the trail continued straight up for what seemed like eternity.

The higher we climbed however, the more spectacular the view became.

.
I knew I was in pretty sad mountain climbing shape (thus the whole reason for this trip) but it was still demoralizing to have people frequently passing me, some that looked like they were in their 60s. We did meet a nice couple from Houston that looked to be struggling as much as I was, so that made me feel slightly better.
Near 13,000‘ we encountered a small lake that was an unnatural green color.

. From here we could see a group of hikers directly above this lake climbing Elbert's east ridge.

Then began the steepest part of our journey.

At this point I started to experience some altitude sickness. I had a pounding headache, my hands were swollen to about twice their normal size, and if I tried to move too fast I would get so dizzy I'd almost pass out. The only way I made it past this grueling section was to gulp down lots of water, shuffle forward 5 or 6 steps, stop and take a few breaths, and repeat. I probably should have quit but my stubborn determination to see the summit kept me going.
A lot of climbing and 2 or 3 false summits later we came to the last one, where the final summit approach was visible.

Jess & I at this point.
It was hard to believe but we were almost there! Jess & Brenda ran forward (they were in front the whole way), but Brian hung back with me as if he expected me to collapse from a heart attack at any moment. About 5 minutes later, at 11:30 we joined the party on the summit. It was crowded, there must have been at least 60 other people on the summit. However the experience of making it to the summit was pure euphoria, and worth all the abuse I put my body through to get there.

from left to right - Jess, Brenda, Brian, and me hanging out and having some lunch on the summit.
The views from up there were indescribable, and pictures can't do them justice. Being my first trip to this area I didn't know what I was looking at, but I believe this is looking west to Snowmass Mountain, way in the distance.

I think this is looking south to La Plata,

and this is Mount Massive with the Mosquito Range in the background.
We hung out up top and enjoyed the view until about 12:15 when the clouds began getting thicker. I was somewhat re-energized after lunch, but I was mistaken thinking the journey up would be the hard part. The trip back down was indeed a scenic voyage through the kingdom of pain. I never thought I'd make it back to the trailhead. I won't go into too much detail, except to say that it took another 3-4 hours to descend the mountain and my back, knees, ankles, and feet were so sore I could barely walk for several days afterwards. In addition to that the 3 hour drive back to Fort Collins was anything but fun. Despite all of that this was one of the best experiences of my life and my only regret is that I waited this long to begin climbing Colorado's amazing 14ers. I'm now unquestionably hooked for life and most of the time my thoughts are consumed by where I might go climbing next.
Mt Elbert was a hard climb for me, but each time I go climbing it gets a little bit easier. I'll always remember Elbert as my favorite, for the simple reason that once conquered it gave me the confidence to keep going back to Colorado's magnificent mountains again and again....

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

ldreher13

Saw you on the summit!
11/30/2010 5:20pm

I remeber seeing you guys on Elbert! My husband was quite excited about the coffee press in Jess's jetboil.

That large group you took a picture of was a sight to be seen - you could spot them from far away. We were excited that they moved slowly enough allowing us the rare opportuity to pass instead of being passed.

Glad you enjoyed your first 14er!

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