My 14er record attempt

[Neil]

Ok! Getting back towards 1200 ft/hr now! Do it Homie!

[thebeave7]

Back on the free wifi in Buena Vista. Update on last night. I arrive at N cottonwood just before Jason took off (good to see you man), so briefly chatted with Gerry & Jennifer before hitting the trail around 945ish to go find Homie. Caught him about 1/2mi before the Kroenke lake turnoff in a pretty rough spot. His quad had locked up, and he couldnt bend his left leg the entire hike off Columbia, making for slow progress. Got him up and moving, the leg finally loosened up and we power hiked at a brisk pace back to the trailhead.

He needed some sleep/rest before hitting Yale, though he had contemplated connecting it directly from the bridge over N Cottonwood, we discussed the route as we both know it well. He said he's running a lot better when he can get aid in shorter time frames, so we'll see if he can muster up the courage to hit the whole Elks in one go. Andy is out on Yale with him right now, I'm gonna head to the TH to see them down. Minimal hiking for me, as I've gotta rest for something big Friday. Will check back in periodically today from BV or Leadville as I can. Weather is beautiful this morning and only a small sprinkle last night, here's to hoping it holds.

Eric

[Steve Knapp]

Hopefully Homie got some good rest last night!

I am concerned as well. Looks like Yale will now take up a good chunk of the morning, he's only at 12,200 right now. Maybe Massive/Elbert or Huron/La Plata today? Which would only be a three peak day. Perhaps he can do more, but can't go too late into the night since he has to get rest before the Elks traverse. This could end up pushing Holy Cross to Saturday, which would make a huge day starting with Castle, the other pair mentioned above he didn't get today, and Holy Cross. This will most definitely come down to the wire and its way to soon to speculate if the record is broken. But he knows his body and what needs to be done. He's come a long way, but it must be daunting to picture what lies ahead with only four full days left. There is so much riding on the Elk traverse tomorrow.

Go Homie!

[dsunwall]

Wow, good timing Eric, very glad you made the decision to head up there. A safety or two through the Elks will be very important. I know Homie could make that Elk traverse if he was fresh, doing it at this point might be taking on too much.

I also think if he decides to pull the plug now he will still be a hero and should have little regret.

[Jason Halladay]

Beautiful sunset last night (8/29/2012) while descending Columbia with Homie. His quads were tender but he was gritting his teeth and making it happen.

[mtnrnnr]

Jason and Dwight...and maybe Jeff,

As both of you were with him, how is he eating? And moresoe.....what is he able to stomach at this point? If i remember correctly, when he did Hardrock a couple years ago....stomaching food became an issue for him. Staying fueled for an endeavor like this has to be nearly impossible and I'm just curious what he's able to handle at this point.

dwight...i agree...he's done enough at this point and if he stops, he'll still have accomplished a great feat.

Pete K. (really old screen name)

[Neil]

+1 on no regret. His accomplishment are extraordinary. Plus, for what it's worth, he's inspired me to do better.

[thebeave7]

He's come a long way, but it must be daunting to picture what lies ahead with only four full days left. There is so much riding on the Elk traverse tomorrow.
Go Homie!

When that subject came up he just chuckled and pushed it aside, I'm sure its hanging over him like a massive thunder cloud, waiting to explode.

For someone who asked about splits for the Elks traverse, here's a rough approx (Capitol->Pyramid).
Cap Creek TH 0h
Capitol Peak 6h
Snowmass via Pierre lakes crossover to S-ridge 8.5h
Maroon Peak via Trailrider/ridge 12h
N Maroon Trav 13h
Crater Lake 14.5h
Pyramid 17.5h
Maroon Lake 20h

Just a rough estimate based on peak times and what he/I have done in the past, but it could easily swing an hour either way for each leg. Also depends on weather, which sections are done in the dark, and how his leg holds up.

Edit: His stomach was great last night. Pizza, burritos, soup... he did say pizza has been the food of choice though so I may bring him a little Leadville Mt High Pie later today

Eric

[MtHurd]

Hope his leg holds up. Eat bananas. Potassium.

[JQDivide]

For Homie's last peak, Longs, does he only have to summit, or decend 3,000 feet to make it official?

[Tom Stockton]

Jason and Dwight...and maybe Jeff,

As both of you were with him, how is he eating? And moresoe.....what is he able to stomach at this point? If i remember correctly, when he did Hardrock a couple years ago....stomaching food became an issue for him. Staying fueled for an endeavor like this has to be nearly impossible and I'm just curious what he's able to handle at this point.

I ran a good bit of Hardrock with him that year. He wasn't doing well at 50ish (Grouse Gulch) but his stomach came back around with 30 miles to go and he smoked that last bit. He took 4 hours out of me in the last 25 miles (Jason was pacing me, I blame it on him). So he can get his stomach back.

[jeremy27]

Another attempt to visualize his progress. Longs(still to be climbed)/San Juans(done)/Sangres(done)/Pikes(done) not pictured. Green means climbed. Red means still to be climbed. I've given him Yale already because he is so close.
Go Homie Go!