Racer D

July 26, 2018:

It is a short night in the peaceful arms of Snowmass Lake. I spend most of it awake looking at the ceiling of our cozy tent that has become our traveling home for the last three days. Unable to sleep anymore, I ease out of my sleeping bag while the night is still half young. I see the beautiful moon casting a warm glow on the lake, just as it is beginning to set over the mountain we will soon be climbing. I am excited and ready to meet my climbing group at 4:30am. Our headlamps light up the trees surrounding our camp where everyone gathers before we depart. I try my best not to wake up Cary and Johnan who are both peacefully sleeping in their tents as I leave.

We all fall in line behind the church group leader, Dan, picking our way through the marshy scrub around the perimeter of Snowmass Lake. We are already up on the rocky slab slopes above tree line when the sun comes up, and I peer below searching for movement or headlamps in our camp. There is none. Our camp is at the opposite end of the lake snuggled in the trees where it is still dark.

Midway up the slopes, we come across several tents with a group of REI outward bound students. We all agree and are impressed that they are a bit more crazy than us to camp so high above treeline without protection from the elements.

We take frequent breaks to make sure everyone is getting enough oxygen, and I glance below where the sun continues to warm the mountains. Normally, this broad flat area of the mountain stays covered in snow most of the year, and thus the name, “Snowmass”. But we are here at a fabulous time and what I consider the best week of the summer in Colorado when the snow has all melted. Others would argue it is easier to walk across the giant mass of snow that is normally here before it melts, rather than the rocks. I am indifferent.

Dan points out the route he sees to the left, even though our ultimate goal is the tall peak to the right. Often to reach a summit, you can’t just go straight up, and this is one of those times.

We all gaze up for additional rock cairns to help lead the way. First we need to traverse around the left side of the mound that is lower down, and then follow the route along the backside of the mountain up to the summit.

A little higher up, I snap a picture of Spencer, one of the younger kids in the group wearing a Minnesota Viking hat. He looks stunningly like my nephew Josh at a younger age, who recently passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. I can’t help but know that Josh is with me on this hike. I am determined to make it to the summit, as today would have been Josh’s 23rd birthday.

We continue up the sea of rock and the route is steeper now with good Class III scrambling.

We make it to a small notch on the ridge and can see both sides of the mountain from our viewpoint. Spencer stays back to watch over one of the gals in our group that chooses to wait here. The rest of us continue on. This is something Josh would have done also – always thinking of others. Josh was blessed with a big heart, a contagious smile, a strong hug and a huge personality.

The other side of the mountain is rocky and steep, and we now climb on this side for the remaining route to the top. What a nice walk/climb up the mountain this is compared to the steep, loose scramble up Maroon Peak on Monday. I am thankful I have someone with me that knows the route.

A unique giant rock along the way stands tall over all.

This mountain is beautiful, and the kids show me the “Diving Board” feature once we reach the ridge. I watch them take pictures, and of course, I climb up on the rock as well. The diving board is just that, a rock that juts out off the ridge, and when you stand on it as if to jump off; I can feel the slightest wind and it makes every muscle in my body tighten to avoid the sensation of feeling like I will fall.

We are so close to the summit I can feel it. I can see it, and I think of Josh. My sister is also on a trip to the mountains, celebrating Josh’s life on the other side of the country. I think of her and the rest of my nieces & nephews and send them good vibes from this mountain top.

We reach the summit just before 9am.  Snowmass Mountain is 14,092 ft above sea level. The group all circles together for a minute, and I tell them about my nephew and that I climbed in memory of him. We say a brief prayer. I feel it has been unusually easy; Josh surely was with me on the climb.

The 360 degree view is so vast and I feel so small.

On our way back down, we take fewer breaks than on the way up, but still, we rest. I soak up the views and rest my toes. I wonder if Johnan is sitting near our camp on the edge of the lake below watching us descend.

Here is the entire group I climbed with, and if I ever run into them in the future, I would join them for another climb in a heartbeat. What a great group!

The wildflowers are still blooming everywhere in the alpine tundra. I think of my dad and how he always sent me pictures of the alpine wildflowers when he went to Rocky Mountain National Park. Today has definitely been a hike of reflection.

Meanwhile back at camp, Johnan enjoys the day of rest in the hammock. She has a great view through the trees of the mountain where we are climbing back down. Some may argue this would be more enjoyable than climbing. I say it depends on the day. Today, I was happy to be up there on that mountain, and feeling close to those I have lost in my life recently.

We arrive back at camp just before noon. I relax and we eat an early dinner. Here are a few of my favorite snacks to bring along again for both climbing on the 14ers and just to have in my pack.

And one item to definitely not bring next year because these plastic sporks will snap in half, and in fact did. Johnan ended up with just a tiny spoon which was only really good for stirring coffee, and even that is a stretch.