Mt. Elbert----14,433 feet
Here are two photos of our magical journey together up the highest mountain in Colorado, the second highest in the lower 48 states. This was by far not the first mountain trek for Randy, but for Mary, it was a goal she had made since the two of us fell in love. She saw the picture of Randy on top of Mt. Elbert when the two of us began dating and fell in love with the picture. When we got serious about each other, she made it a personal goal to be the first significant other to go climbing with Randy and be on top of Mt. Elbert with him. She trained hard and heeded (with a minimal amount of complaining) all of Randy's coaching and nutritional advice to get into shape for the nontechnical, but physically challenging climb. Mary's sister and brother-in-law (Christina and Doug) came to visit and join in the climb as neither of them had ever climbed a fourteener and wanted to experience Colorado's beauty.
We arrived in Leadville on Sunday, August 2, 1998, and made camp at Turqouis Lake. We found a convenient campsite near the lake, yet still secluded. Randy took his new bride and his in-laws on a tour of Leadville and the old mining district, driving partway up Mosquito Pass to some meadows of hundreds of blossoming wildflowers, much to Mary and her sister's delight. The next morning we awoke with great anticipation at 6:30am, made all our preparations, and drove to the trailhead. We began our trek at 8:00am in beautiful weather; cool, but not cold and a bright blue sky above. Very few people had gone before us and no one was at the trailhead with us. The climb was incredibly beautiful and scenic, leaving Mary, Christina, and Doug breathless with the beauty of the views (as well as the lack of oxygen: Christina and Doug are from California and have never been to Colorado before, or that high). Fortunately, Christina and Doug are avid fitness nuts and kept up without much problem. We summited at 11:30, which is incredible considering three first time climbers were in the group. The last time Randy climbed Elbert with a beginner, it took 4.5 hours.
The experience was especially emotional for Randy. He realized for the first time what a true gift had befallen him. Mary became the first woman/wife/girlfriend to ever train with him, hike with him, and most important of all, stand on top of Colorado's highest peak in the middle of the most beautiful state in the union with him. To share such an incredible experience with the person you love is definitely a PEAK experience!
The two love birds on top of Colorado (and the world for that matter!)
Both of us like it on top!
From left to Right: Doug, Christina, Mary, Randy
An experience that we'll always treasure.