28 replies to this topic

[BigAl]

On July 18th, I got off work at 6am (Central time), drove home, loaded up the pack, and headed out to the Longs Peak trailhead with Elizabeth. She had been talking about climbing a mountain together since last fall, so I asked her about it early this summer. She said 'Sure. How about Longs?". We signed in at 1:50pm and took off up the trail. I had been in Oz for 10 days, hadn't slept all night, and was wearing 45lbs to top it all off. Needless to say, I was a wee bit altitude sick and was moving pretty slow up the trail . But soon the amazing sights and sounds of the alpine tundra breathed some new life into me. Unfortunately, a T-storm moved in on us shortly before Granite Pass and completely soaked our pants and shoes. Around 7:30, we made camp in the Boulderfield and had some supper and I passed out around 9. We woke up around 5:30, had breakfast, and then Elizabeth climbed up the Keyhole route like a complete champ, making the summit in 2:15 from the Boulderfield camp. I am very proud of her - she never complained at all, even when we were completely soaked in the rainstorm or when her feet were killing her on the last parts of the trail.

I put together some pictures of our adventure together on my picture gallery.

[mwilson]

Congrats to Elizabeth! What an awesome adventure for the two of you to experience together. I liked the pics!

Marsha

[Melanie]

Amazing. Congratulations, Elizabeth! You ROCK.

Melanie<><

[bpv_UW]

Awesome, way to go Elizabeth!

-Brandon

[foxfire]

Awesome, way to go Elizabeth!

-Brandon

Yes! Yes!

Fox

[Aaron]

Way to go Elizabeth

--Aaron

[Mark Zemmin]

That is awesome. You guys both rock!!!! Cool pictures.

Mark

[misssilly]

Congrats to Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing the pics, Alan!!

Jen

[Jo]

Great pictures! Those pictures of the ledges, narrows and homestretch portrayed better than any I've seen what they're actually like. So I can now say for sure that I'll never attempt them! I'm very impressed with Elizabeth!

[Bill 007]

Yeehaw!!
I'm laughing with joy for her!! What a chip off the old block! Way to go Elizabeth!

Bill
(I'm betting that had to be an ultimate buzz for you Alan & Lori!)

[SandyP]

Allen, Elizabeth! Words can not even begin to express how impressed and in awe of you guys I am! Especially Elizabeth. I remember looking at the Get-Together photos wondering where Elizabeth was because I hadn't seen any pictures of her in a while. She has grown up to be so beautiful! I can't believe her first mountain climb with dad was Long's Peak!!

Jeeeez! Elizabeth, you are my HERO!

And I'm with Jo. Those pictures of Elizabeth on the ledge confirm to me once and for all that Long's is for my heroes, and not for me! My heart pounded even seeing the pictures. I'd have a heart attack from fear if I was actually ON those rocks!

Way to GO guys!!!

[SandyM]

Oh yeah! That little gal has wayyyyyyyyy more guts than I do. Way to go Elizabeth, you're my hero! And way to go Dad for giving her a memory that will last her a lifetime.

What a story she will have to tell the kids when they return to school in a few weeks.

SandyM

[B-Jay]

Incredible! Elizabeth truly has a great sense of balance. It looked like she was just strolllng up some of those steep and narrow sections.

Such a super accomplishment and terrific memory for both of you.

B-Jay

[iceberg]

What an accomplishment! congratulations Elizabeth!

[dennis]

What a great feat! I did the hike with my son, and it remains a great memory for me. We didn't stay at the Boulderfield but I am looking forward to doing that with my grandson sometime soon! Thank you for those great pictures.