Longs Peak

Yesterday I woke up at 1 am and started the 15 mile climb up Longs Peak. 14 1/2 hours later we were down. Longs Peak is 14,259 feet and the highest peak in the park. It is part of the elusive 52 Colorado 14 footers. The experience itself was hell on wheels. I have never felt in that much physical exhaustion since..well ever. Not even matched by preseason back in high school.

I am going to give everyone a play by play of the day because it was an exciting moment in my life and felt the need to share with you all.

1 am: up and out of bed...couldn't believe I was awakened from my slumber of a measly 4 hours of sleep to start the day but had to

1:30 am: in Lauren's car driving to the trailhead

2:00 am: get to Long's Peak TH parking lot

2:08 am: begin the journey

3:00 am: 2 mile marker and still pitch black; above treeline at this point

4:00 am: somewhere near 3 and 4 miles just past the junction of Chasm Lake

4:45 am: sunlight starts to twinkle through

5:20 am: sunrise and approaching boulderfield

6:00 am: sun has made its appearance and it is completely light out, rest at boulderfield for a while

6:45 am: start climb up boulderfield 

7:30-7:45am make it up boulderfield 

7:45-8:30am: make our way through the narrows

8:30-10:00 this time was blurry, shear rock, probably 80 degree angles, winds speeds were very high and finally made our way through the home stretch, slipped on ice and fell 20 feet where I almost fell to my death but caught myself with my right arm and pulled myself up

10:00am or around then: REACHED THE SUMMIT 

10:30am-1:00pm decent down the home stretch, the narrows, boulderfield

2:00pm-4:45pm- 6 mile descent down from the boulderfield

5:30pm- back at my cabin

7:00pm- fast asleep

Longs Peak was absolutely amazing. It was one of the best and worst experiences of my life. I learned how to push myself to all limits. I wanted to die at many points and give up. I am bruised and sore beyond belief but I don't regret it for one minute. Hell yea! LONGS YOU WERE MINE!!