Climbing Mt. Elbert (report, pics)

Krein · 08-20-2005

I knew that the time wasn't right. But there it was, visible from Lee's kitchen window. Calling, calling with its siren song so irresistible. I held out for a few days, using every excuse in my ever-growing arsenal of injury and fatigue. But Mt. Elbert sang to me each morning as I awoke and looked out the window. As I sat mesmerized by it one morning, I knew it was too late. The machinery in my mind was already in motion and very little could stop it now.

There was every reason not to climb it. My hands, still numb from racing the Great Divide, had been further abused on beautiful trails ranging from Salt Lake City, Grand Junction and Leadville. I was drained from the rides, the driving, the camping and interactions with family, new friends and strangers. My right ITB was still tight. I didn't have what I felt were the appropriate tires and gear ratios (this was by design, to discourage me from doing it).

But there was also every reason TO climb it. At 14,433 feet, Elbert stands the highest peak in Colorado and second highest in the continental US. None of it lies within wilderness and I had heard that Dave Morrison had hike-a-biked and summitted back in 1951. Looking at the topo map it looked like it might be possible to ride it. If I made it to the top it would be my first 14er and indeed the highest I've ever been. When I saw the turn off to Elbert on the Colorado last year I had to physically restrain my bike from taking it. The top half of the mountain was then covered in deep snow.

This time Lee and I took the turnoff, after warming up on 1000 feet of calm dirt road climbing to 10,600 feet. Straight away the trail turned technical and steep. We walked as the questions and doubts circled around our heads. Maybe the time isn't right. Or maybe this is just too ridiculous. Neither of us wanted to be the one to hold the other back, so we said nothing and just kept heading up the fall-line trail.

Lee was up ahead, pushing his bike at a grueling pace. I tried riding as best I could, but I only managed short rallies before collapsing in a soporific heap over my handlebars. Some sections I didn't even attempt.

As we crossed the threshold between trees and tundra the riding turned more reasonable. Now I'd hop on for extended sessions before the inevitable soporific collapse. I could feel the blood coursing through my body and the crisp mountain air struggling to be absorbed in my lungs. I felt alive.

Each collapse was followed by a chance to view my surroundings. How lucky am I to be alive, to have the health and strength to be experiencing this?

We next transitioned from quiet meadows to high alpine rock fields. The first couple pitches were so steep that I didn't even attempt them. I resigned myself to the possibility of walking the remaining 2000 feet of vertical.

Lee and I walked and chatted. Actually, this wasn't so bad. Riding the Arizona Trail had trained us well. "The bikes actually roll, and my feet don't slide with every step." Hiking an unloaded bike just doesn't seem much a challenge, anymore. I knew we'd make the summit and that it wouldn't be too hard.

Lee loves hike-a-bike

But as I observed the trail I wondered how much, if any, I'd be riding down. Was there any point in carrying up only to carry back down? Soon enough I found a 0.25 mile stretch that I rode, grinning ear to ear. Amazingly, the conditions continued to improve as we neared the summit. I cannot describe how awesome it was to feel my tires find traction as I rounded rocky and tight switchbacks at 14,000 feet. This was some of the best climbing of my life.

I couldn't find enough purchase to pedal more than 10 feet near the very top. Dreams of cresting the peak while astride the bike were quickly shot, and just as quickly forgotten. Attaining the summit had opened up the previously unseen view to the west and into the heart of the Rockies. Wow, this was definitely worth all the work.

Scott and Lee at the Summit

The tops of mountains like this are always surreal to me. Yet, they are so much more real than the developed, life-draining places we humans choose to spend most of our time in. The time on the top is cherished and over all too quickly.

The real

I rode from the top to the first few turns, then walked mostly out of fear and lack of true bearings than anything else. My mind had not yet switched from climbing to descending mode. After the switch was complete I settled in to one of the most challenging and amazing descents of my life.

Having mountain biked obsessively for some 15 years, I have a pretty good idea of what I can and cannot do on a bike. Coming up I was studying the trail, imagining how it would be to ride down it. But as I descended I could tell that I was largely off. I rolled over things with more ease and had a much higher confidence level than I should have. I can only attribute this to the 29" wheels.

Although I've ridden my 29er several thousand miles, most of that riding has been with a rear rack and camping gear, or on non-technical dirt roads. When I rode the Moore Fun trail with Mike Curiak a few days previous it had been one of my first exposures to unloaded technical riding on a 29er.

That ride was also somewhat responsible for my level of confidence. It's not that I learned anything specific from riding with Mike, just that I had to ride up to his level. Riding with good riders is the best way to improve.

Lee descending at ~12,500 feet

The descent was never ending -- from 14,433 to 9,200 at Twin Lakes. You couldn't have erased the smile off my face with industrial strength cleaner. I took many breaks to rest my hands and regain myself. Since it was all very slow, careful descending I never felt like I was damaging them too much.

While riding the last few switchbacks into town I caught myself mesmerized by Twin Peaks across the way. I wondered, as I often do, what it would be like up there. Then I realized I had, within the hour, been higher than that. For a few moments it didn't make any sense. It didn't seem possible looking at how high it towered above me. I doubted that we had even done it.

Approximate riding percentages:

Up: 40% (perhaps a bit generous)
Down: 90%

15.5 miles
5567 ft of climbing
4:28 moving time
19.3% average grade

These numbers include descending to Twin Lakes and climbing back to the South Elbert trailhead on pavement and Continental Divide Trail. (see map)

Bigwheel · 08-20-2005

Nice Report. Lincoln and Bross above Alma are a good way to bag two 14ers in one ride.

Rainman · 08-20-2005

There is something about mountains that draws some people like flies to honey... and I am one of those people..

Thanks for the ride report and pics.

R.

Cloxxki · 08-20-2005

OMG, I SOOOO envy you guys for living there...I only climb real mountains in my dreams.
Congrats on a fine acheivement, that view IS a great reward!
Is that like the highest peak of North America?

ozlongboarder · 08-20-2005

The guy in the background looks like he is chuckling away at you for pushing your bikes up, but you guys get the last laugh on the way down. Well done.

The SS Boz · 08-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloxxki

OMG, I SOOOO envy you guys for living there...I only climb real mountains in my dreams.
Congrats on a fine acheivement, that view IS a great reward!
Is that like the highest peak of North America?

Highest peak in CO for sure....hiked it a few times...never thought of biking it...wow...i bet it was a blast.......

-Boz

dstepper · 08-20-2005

List of higest peaks in America.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001798.html

mikesee · 08-20-2005

Awesome writeup, even better photos, and a great accomplishment. Why the hell didn't you invite me?

I'm very hurt.

Not.

Next time, at least give me the option to beg off...

Oh yeah, and for those that may have been lulled into believing what Scott said about "riding up to my level", stop believing it. He ruled the trail that day. Truthfully, our number of 'dabs' was probably about the same, but the difference was that I've ridden this trail dozens of times, and he'd never seen it before. Plus, he was leading. Add it up and he was the boss.

Great rider, fun ride, and I hope to do more riding with you in the future.

MC

banks · 08-20-2005

Yup, Mr. Blackwell is one hellofa T O U G H cookie!

Krein · 08-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesee

Awesome writeup, even better photos, and a great accomplishment. Why the hell didn't you invite me?

I'm very hurt.

There's a little more to the story. It was sort of a 'let's go see what it looks like' type of deal. Knowing how we are, though, I should have known that there wasn't much that could deter us. We might have ended up just riding the CO trail, though.

That "generous" 40% number is begging to be increased. I'm planning for it next year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesee

Oh yeah, and for those that may have been lulled into believing what Scott said about "riding up to my level", stop believing it. He ruled the trail that day. Truthfully, our number of 'dabs' was probably about the same, but the difference was that I've ridden this trail dozens of times, and he'd never seen it before. Plus, he was leading. Add it up and he was the boss.
MC

Dab counts & leading aside, I still felt like I elevated my riding a few notches. Maybe that means I need to find better people to ride with, but the feeling was definitely there. Thanks again for taking the time to show me the trail. I too look forward to future rides.

Scott

Krein · 08-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

List of higest peaks in America.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001798.html

Thanks for the link. I corrected my mis-statements about the elevation and Elbert's rank in the US. My info was based on the "14er" book by Mr. Schmuck. While an excellent book, it was the 70's version and evidently the USGS has updated its numbers since then.

Scott

mward · 08-20-2005

What an excellent report. I had been wondering if you could ride on elbert or if it was restricted (wilderness or something). I have tried to climb that mountain twice now and been chased off both times by vigorous lightning. Once from the south side by the twin lakes cabins and the other time the way you guys went. The last time (same way you guys went) we got to treeline and some people were coming down pretty fast and we asked what it was doing on the summit they said "Lightning, hail, and snow" Suck!! Maybe next time I try I'll bring my bike for good juju. Love the pictures. Thanks for the great story.

rocky rode · 08-21-2005

Patti and I were riding the Colrado Trail between twin Lakes and Half Moon last Sunday, out and back. On the Half Moon side we talked to a hiker that said there were two guys on single speeds on top of Elbert. It appears from the photos you guys were geared so it must not have been you? BTW, the CO Trail through that area is really smooth. We also rode from Blanks Cabin to Mt Princeton and that section has some hike-a-bike sections. Good job and take care of those hands, Scott.

A riding buddy of mine and maybe Matthew Lee are doing the Colorado trail from Spring Creek Pass to Durango in September. Self contained, ultralight. My buddy has also ridden the whole length of the trail.

Gary in Del Norte

Carl Mega · 08-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krein

Actually, this wasn't so bad. Riding the Arizona Trail had trained us well. "The bikes actually roll, and my feet don't slide with every step." Hiking an unloaded bike just doesn't seem much a challenge, anymore.

After doing a self-contained fully loaded bike-pack on the CO trail, I couldn't agree more. Bikes that don't weigh between 80-100lbs hike much easier.

Nice write up.

Debaser · 08-21-2005

Oh yeah! Nice accomplishment! This is one of those things I think about doing... Glad to see some folks out there are doing what i only think of!

Bearbait · 08-22-2005

Bigwheel nailed it with this one.
I did it when I lived back in Colorado. Start in Alama and climb till you can climb no more, its nearly 100% ridable. Then there is a knarly rocky traverse over to lincoln, and you can bag Democrat while you're up there, from Lincoln you can pretty much bomb down from 13,5 back to the highway.
Have fun!