18 replies to this topic

[just_around_the_next_curve]

This past Sunday, Jan 16th, I went snowshoeing on the Longs Peak trail, hoping to get to Chasm Lake. Chasm Lake is my favorite place in the park, (probably anywhere) but I have never been able to get there in the winter. I got to the trailhead at 7:30 am and started the hike. My first job was to sign the trailhead registry for my hike, and couldn't believe who had signed the registry earlier that morning. Jon Krakauer's name was in the registry, stating a destination of the top of Longs via the Loft and Clarks arrow. Jon is the author of the book Into Thin Air, one of my favorite books, which dealt with climbing Mt Everist. I was very sceptical, that is until I met him on the trail and had a chance to talk to him. He was just coming down from Mt Lady Washington as I was approaching the trail junction for the boulderfield and Chasm lake. The wind was quite possibly the worst I have ever been in, and he had to abort his plans and settle for Lady Washington. The wind was strong enough to knock me off me feet countless times, and Jon said as he approached the top of the peak, he had to crawl on hands and knees to avoid being blown off. The snow on the trail was ideal for snowshoeing, except above treeline where it was mostly swept clean by the wind. I had to turn around before reaching Chasm, as there was a treacherous snow slope that I wasn't comfortable crossing without the proper gear. I hope to make it back soon when the wind isn't quite so bad, and with the proper equipment, but it was thrilling enough just being up there, and to meet and get to talk with Mr. Krakauer.

[smudge]

wow...that's amazing!! I love anything that guy writes....he is so good. And an amazing mountaineer! Talk about a strong guy...mentally and physically. Cool!

[slowpoke]

wow...that's amazing!! I love anything that guy writes....he is so good. And an amazing mountaineer! Talk about a strong guy...mentally and physically. Cool!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed. I have recommended that book to people who care nothing about mountaineering, and they have thoroughly enjoyed it. Someone who can write about a subject so captivatingly as to pull in a neophyte / non interested reader has the kind of talent you don't come across very often.

[DeeCeeM]

Wow! How lucky can you get! I've read a couple of his books and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. I'd love the chance to meet him in person!

[Aaron]

Wow! That's cool! I would have crossed paths with Tim Allen near Estes Park one time if I wouldn't have been lazy in slept in that morning. That was nice that you got to chat with him for a little bit too.

By the way....welcome to the forums!

--Aaron

[mountainlover]

Holy cow, what a great story! I wonder if Tom Hornbein or Ranger Jim Detterline were in the vicinity. Tom Hornbein is one of Krakauer's heros(and mine too). (mentioned in "Into Thin Air") He was one of the first Americans in the early 60's to summit Everest and actualy forged a new route that I think was named after him.

Hornbein and Detterline rescued my wife and daughter when they got lost in the tundra at night coming down from Longs. THis was back n the late 90s. The two men just happned to be getting ready to climb Longs in the morning (even with Hornbein in his 70s and with a hip replacement!) so they were not far away. It was quite a story and quite a looonnnnggg story too. To make it short, everyone came out fine and they all spent the night at the rescue cabin at Chasm Lake and enjoyed pancakes in front of the cabin as weary and jellous hikers paraded by. I later met Hornbein when he spoke at the St Louis Science Center about his climb up Everest and have crossed paths with Jim on the trail more than once. Jim Detterline is a very well known and respected ranger (nice guy too) and one of the foremost search and rescue experts. Pretty Lucky to have those guys around huh?

ML

[Aaron]

This is turning into a very cool thread. Thanks for sharing these stories you guys!

--Aaron

[foxfire]

Met Detterline at the Longs Peak Ranger Station once. My wife and I were just about to set out for Estes Cone. Mostly just small talk about the area. We both remember Jim D. as being a very personable, friendly fellow. A pleasure to chat with. Would have been neat to have met either or both of the other gentlemen. Very cool. Yep!

[GLENNinPA]

That is very cool. I love Into Thin Air.

Last Summer I came across Bill Walton. He's a former NBA player from the 70's.

It was very rainy as it was for most of the week last June. My wife and I were determined to go on a hike so we decided on Deer Mountain. It was raining very hard but we went anyway. About a third of the way on the trail it started thundering so we decided to go back down.
When we got down to the trailhead, Bill Walton was standing under the Trailhead Shelter with his bike beside him. It was pouring at this time. I asked if he was Bill Walton and he said he was. I asked if we could give him a lift and he said NO!. I'm assuming he thought we were psycopaths or something.

It never stopped pouring the rest of thge day, so he probably got soaked.

Glenn

[ProfHall]

Great thread! Haven't met any of these great folks, but have enjoyed all the minutes here and there talking with any of the rangers we've met in the park. All have been "top notch" folks. Oh, and we did horseback ride past Tim Allen's house (can you call something that big a house?) in GL...

Krakauer also has written an amazing, non-nature book, "Under the Banner of Heaven" that I highly recommend. On the narrowest thread it can be said to connect with RMNP, 'cause he has a brief section about Powell's expedition down the then-named Green River in CO and UT and on to the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.

And, it really isn't surprising to find wonderful people in the park, is it?

Maybe just a surprise to find ANYONE out in the weather like just-around-the-next-curve described! Makes me want a refill on my coffee...

[mountainlover]

I figure the next great meeting in Rocky will be when some of us meet each other at the Snow Shoe Stomp!

ML

[TempestT-37]

So does Tim Allen of Tool Time live in Grand Lake?

[ProfHall]

Not full time, as I understand it...but he does like to drive there in his HUGE bus-like RV thing. The horseback ride leader said you can tell if he's in town if the RV is parked by the so-called house. And, it was when we went by...

[DeeCeeM]

Krakauer also has written an amazing, non-nature book, "Under the Banner of Heaven" that I highly recommend.  On the narrowest thread it can be said to connect with RMNP, 'cause he has a brief section about Powell's expedition down the then-named Green River in CO and UT and on to the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's what I read on our trip to RMNP last September. Krakauer's style is so compelling that it's hard to put one of his books down once you start it. I, too, highly recommend him.

[ProfHall]

And, this "Banner" book connects with another thread here on the forums, about the new RMNP murder mystery book, since the Krakauer book centers around a particularly gruesome murder.