Day 38-50: Humboldt Peak (#32), Crestone Peak (#33), Crestone Needle (#34), Challenger Point (#35),
I can stand for the entire team by saying that the Sangre de Cristos has been absolutely exhausting in more ways than one. Our bodies have been beaten up, our mentality about this trip has been tested, and our emotional connections strained.
Regarding the hikes--they have been grand accomplishments. We climbed 5 of the 17 hardest Fourteeners in a single week; a couple of those having our first Class 4 routes. We finished the Crestone group (Humboldt, Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, Challenger, Kit Carson), in only three days. When we did the Blanca group (Blanca, Ellingwood, Little Bear, Lindsey), we finished those in three days as well.
Blanca and Ellingwood were physically demanding, because the 5.5 mile road that led to the upper trailhead was the worst quality road-hike thus far. It was also our biggest elevation gain: 6,900ft. The next day, we climbed Little Bear (one of the Class 4 routes). There is a section called the Hourglass (a.k.a The Devil's Bowling Alley) where, if a rock tumbles down, it is funneled into a section about 10 feet wide. On our descent, a guy above us accidently knocked a rock loose bigger than my fist. The rock crashed into the wall and split into two chunks--one which almost hit my head, and the other which did hit Daniel right on his dome (we were all wearing helmets for such an incident). Also, marmots knocked rocks loose two seperate times. Matt got hit on the wrist by one of those rocks, but he is okay as well.
To finish off the difficult week, we climbed Mt. Lindsey yesterday, our longest hike so far--a 22.5 mile hike that punished our legs and feet.
--Thank God for rest days--
To add to the difficulty of the Sangre de Cristos, we were all put in a heavy position regarding ourselves. Two of our team members had a prolonged disagreement with each other, and it ultimately came to making an incredibly tough decision. The five other team members had to decide that either the team was going to stay together and try to work things out, or we were going to let both team members go. Sadly, we could not make a compromise. We had to let them go; we are now a team of five. We--every team member--is at fault in some way. Yes, mistakes were made and things could have been different. It was a very difficult time for everyone, but we believe that the best decision was made. Regarding specific details--I will say no more. We will continue trying to make the best decision, and hopefully be able to hang on to our friendship post-expedition.
Even though this was our toughest week, we have also been very blessed. The Crestones were absolutely stunning. It was like being under the shadow of magnificent gods--rugged and rough, like a knarled and broken jawbone. As we ascended both Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle, we were surrounded by thick fog. It was like being in another world--one where giant creatures could appear from the misty abyss below, or from around the eerie, jutted pillars of rock. It was breathtaking.
Kit Carson, Challenger, Blanca, and Ellingwood Point were beautiful as well, but in a different way. The sun was shining, and we could see the Great Sand Dunes, as well as land in New Mexico. The San Luis Valley (the 2nd largest rift valley in the world), mixed with mountains that scraped the sky, made for a stunning pattern of highs and lows.
And I cannot forget the landslide on Mt. Lindsey. Even though it increased our trip by 14 miles, it was worth seeing. You could feel the energy in the atmosphere as you walked over toppled trees, loose soil, and a small creek that had already started cutting through the wreckage.
We travel through the land of extremes--extreme heights; extreme landscape; extreme journeys through pain and accomplishment in both mind and body. In every extreme, we feel something. This is what makes life worth living for.
And even though feeling extreme suffering in the mind (specifically, mental illness) is very hard, it gives us hope that, soon, we will feel extreme happiness. Without pain, we would never know peace, and vice versa.
So, if you are hurting, take heart. This is not the end, so don't make it the end. Take heart, my friend. Even though we all travel through darkness, the sun will rise again. I promise, it will rise once more, and my God, does it taste sweet.
Humboldt Peak
Start Time: 4:30am
Summit Time: 9:40am
Finish Time: 1:20pm at high base-camp (we had a long, enjoyable descent)
Distance Hiked: 8.1 miles
Elevation Gained: 4,200ft
Elevation: 14,064ft
Crestone Peak
Start Time: 5:00am at high base-camp
Summit Time: 9:15am
Finish Time: 4:00pm at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 5.8 miles
Elevation Gained: 5,280ft
Elevation: 14,294ft
Crestone Needle
Start Time: 5:00am from high base-camp
Summit Time: 1:45pm
Finish Time: 4:00 at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 5.8 miles
Elevation Gained: 5,280ft
Elevation: 14,197ft
Challenger Point
Start Time: 2:40am from high base-camp
Summit Time: 7:55am
Finish Time: 12:30pm at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 7 miles
Elevation Gained: 4,100ft
Elevation: 14,081ft
Kit Carson
Start Time: 2:40am from high base-camp
Summit Time: 8:55am
Finish Time: 12:30pm at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 7 miles
Elevation Gained: 4,100ft
Elevation: 14,165ft
Blanca Peak
Start Time: 4:15am from lower trail head
Summit Time: 11:30am
Finish Time: 4:15pm at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 10.2 miles
Elevation Gained: 6,900ft
Elevation: 14,345
Ellingwood Point
Start Time: 4:15am from lower trail head
Summit Time: 12:45pm
Finish Time: 4:15pm at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 10.2 miles
Elevation Gained: 6,900ft
Elevation: 14,042ft
Little Bear Peak
Start Time: 5:45am from high base-camp
Summit Time: 8:45am
Finish Time: 11:45am at high base-camp
Distance Hiked: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gained: 2,400ft
Elevation: 14,037ft
Mt. Lindsey
Start Time: 4:15am
Summit Time: 11:00am
Finish Time: 4:30pm
Distance Hiked: 22.5 miles
Elevation Gained: 5,400ft
Elevation: 14,042ft
