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My fourteener "quest" began in 1979 climbing Grays Peak. At that time I was a new transplant to Colorado from Iowa and climbing/hiking the fourteeners became a casual goal. Raising 3 kids with all their activities I finally reached my goal by hiking the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert.
My good friend and hiking partner, Rich ( whom I introduced to 14ers by climbing Snowmass from Geneva Lake) and I decided to hike Mt. Elbert from the South Mt. Elbert trailhead via the east slope route. The 4wd road to the trailhead was not bad at all with only a few rocky sections. Shortly after a shallow stream crossing the road to the trailhead turns to the right with good parking dispersed to the trailhead.
The trail starts with a bridge crossing and is very mild for the first 15/20 minutes going through some very nice aspen groves. When you turn off the Colorado Trail the climb begins.
It is a steady elevation gain from here to the top. Near treeline there are some very nice campsites, which I would like to try sometime. Once we were above treeline we could make out most of the route.
Rich set the pace and after 2 weeks away from doing anything physical dut to vacation I lagged behind him. There were at least 8 people on our trail and we could see many more on the standard northeast ridge route. Rich reached the summit ahead of me and apparently told the others on the summit that I was finishing the 14ers, because when I arrived at the summit I they were clapping and cheering. It took me a toal time of 2 hrs. and 42 min. After shaking hands and receiving congrats I looked above and thanked my Dad (who died from cancer at age 40) for watching over me, this is something I have done on each of the summits. Rich and I celebrated with a good brew and took in the moment and the views.
I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has been involved in my quest, my wife Sherie, my family Sven, Alexis, and Donathon, climbing partners Sven, Donathon, Rich Sanchez, Mike Byanski, Jon Krecker, Jay Connell, Ken Alford, and Warren Bradshaw. Thanks to the 14ers.com website family for route info and insight.
I now plan on repeating some of the climbs using alternate routes
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
That is going to be me someday, except i plan to finish on Pike‘s so that whoever doesnt want to hike it, can still join in the celebration. That is a good idea though, doing an easier one for a finisher.
dougie, it‘s been a pleasure hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, & climbing with you, & an honor to summit elbert with you. i wouldn‘t have had it any other way! thanks for draggin‘ my a** up snowmass to get me started. here‘s to many more adventures!
rich
Way to go Doug!! What an Accomplishment! 9/9/2008 1:49am
Doug, I am so happy and proud of you!! Of course you made me cry about looking up to Dad and thanking him for watching over you!! Dad would have been VERY PROUD of YOU! I know we miss him very much but just remember he is always looking down on us and can see everything that we do!! Love you so much!
Congratulations
Congratulations! I like that you saved an "easy" one for your finisher.
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Of course you made me cry about looking up to Dad and thanking him for watching over you!! Dad would have been VERY PROUD of YOU! I know we miss him very much but just remember he is always looking down on us and can see everything that we do!! Love you so much! 
