What a fantastic day, full of adventure, walking on ridge lines, and ~6,800 ft of total ascent.  It would have been even more ascent but we were stopped short by our second hail storm of the day in possibly the worst place ever, the top of a mountain.  It’s been over two hours since we’ve been in the tent and I only just now feel warm enough to do something other than shiver under my quilt.

Knowing the Colorado storms hit in the afternoon, we got up early so we could start hiking early and ideally avoid the situation we are in now. It seemed to be going so well!  However, around noon we left the Colorado Trail and seemingly instantly found ourselves on a barely-there trail in the middle of a hailstorm.

I didn’t mind the hail since it was still relatively warm and since I was going uphill.  Straight uphill, actually.  Also, most of the hike this afternoon was guesswork on where the trail actually was, although since it was on the ridge line it usually wasn’t too difficult to figure out.

I absolutely loved it up there, even though it was difficult - the ridge line went up and down, following the spine of the mountains, and there was no such thing as a switchback. However, everywhere I looked was an amazing view.  My jaw dropped many times as I tried to commit the sights to memory. I apologize for the crazy amount of mountain pictures, I just couldn’t stop taking them.

Around 3 pm we made it to the last water source for a while and where we had considered camping.  The best part about this spot was the goats.  We had seen them from afar and then walked through the herd on our way to the water; when we got to the water (really just snowmelt), we were happy to see the goats were joining us.  They were extremely entertaining, particularly the baby.  Even better, they got used to us being around after a while and didn’t shy away.   It was awesome.  I apologize for the crazy amount of goat pictures, I just couldn’t stop taking them.  :)

After enjoying the goats and a little break, we decided to keep hiking.  It was only 3pm and the weather seemed to be fine - the hail had stopped almost as soon as it began and we (wrongly) figured that was the weather event for the day.  My goal was anther 8 miles to the next water source; Nick felt that was ambitious but doable.  

The terrain continued to be brutal yet beautiful- the uphills were very steep and rocky, but I was feeling good and still felt we could make it to the next water before 7:30.  Please enjoy more pictures that I simply couldn’t stop taking.  

Things seemed to be going well, but then we encountered a huge uphill.  As we made our way to the summit, I could see the fog rolling in.  It looked awesome, but at the same time I felt a little hesitant to go up to the top, which was at 13,200 ft and shrouded in fog.  

We went up anyway, and it wasn’t too bad even though it was eerie.  Right after hitting the summit, we stumbled upon more snowmelt.  We stopped, debating whether or not we should stop for the day.  It was mostly flat there and there was water.  Plus, we were going to be at over 13,000 ft for the next 4 miles.  We weren’t sure what to do - it was already getting late and the wind was starting to pick up, making the air extremely cold.  Even though camping on top of a mountain isn’t exactly the smartest thing, we decided to stay.

As soon as we decided on where to put the tent, it started to sleet.  Not much at first, thank goodness, but enough that getting the tent up and collecting sufficient water were suddenly urgent tasks.  As I scooped water into our bladders using our cooking pot, I immediately lost feeling in my hands, making the task nearly impossible (but I suffered through and got the job done, whispering “it’s going to be ok, you are ok” to myself over and over). Nick was somehow able to get the tent up before his hands went numb, but from the sounds he was making I know it was a struggle.

Once the tent was up, we wasted no time getting inside.  Outside, it started to hail.  At first it was small, but very soon the hailstorm intensified and the hail got much bigger.  I was really worried about the hail punching holes in the tent, but she did great.  Then it started to thunder and lightning.  It was incredible.  I cannot imagine what things would have been like had we decided to push on and am very grateful we made the decision to camp when we did.  Actually, I’m very grateful for the meltwater, because had we not stumbled upon it we WOULD have kept hiking.  

Even though a hot meal would have been most excellent given the circumstances, it was taking so long for the water to boil that we turned off the stove for fear of using up all of our fuel.  As a result, dinner was lukewarm and barely rehydrated.  That’s ok, it was calories and it still tasted ok.  Besides, I like a little crunch in my meal.  :)

After a while, the hail turned to rain, and at this moment there’s just a cold wind blowing. I’m in all my layers and am just barely warm, although it feels like I could start shivering at any moment.  Hopefully the fog will lift tomorrow morning and I’ll get to see the view.

We’re going to the top of Grays Peak tomorrow, the highest point on the CDT (over 14,000 ft).  As I said before, the reason I wanted to leave Breckinridge earlier yesterday and the reason I wanted to push the miles today is because I wanted to be sure we were positioned to summit Grays Peak before the afternoon storms roll in.  We’re 4 miles short of my goal, which puts Grays 14 miles away.  We’ll be cutting it close.  

————Oh shit - I have to pee.  I don’t want to leave the tent, particularly since it just started to precipitate again. Sigh.  It’s just going to make me stronger, right?!?

————Nope. Can’t get out of the tent - the zipper is frozen shut and I can’t get the leverage I need from inside to open it.  I’ll just wait for Nick to wake up so he can free me, I know he’s going to have to pee soon.  

Along the trail:

Camp (taken in the morning, it was too cold and precipitating too much to take tent pictures last night):