#2 Climb Longs Peak

Background: The idea of mountain climbing has been percolating for many years. Things have finally risen to the top to prompt me to pursue this notion seriously. And now the damn bee is my bonnet and I really want to do this…

Status: My friend MK has agreed to do this with me. His girlfriend might join us, too. Which would be awesome. I am trying to round up a number of people but I think this sort of activity is the type of thing that is easier to toss around than actually do. I have known MK since third grade. Twenty years in fact! MK did the whole Peace Corps thing, lived in a hut etc., so I am hoping his expertise and sense of adventure make this climb realistic.

I don’t know what date we would go exactly but pretty soon? I leave for CO this weekend so…

Have been doing some reading and have come across some great sites:
14ers.com has a great description and photos of the route.

I did not realize that Longs Peak was classified as a difficult climb or that it was Class 3. The pictures of the face of the narrows and ledges on the route description intimidate me. I rather wish I had not looked at that before hand. But being prepared is half the battle. This way I can visualize the climb before going on it.

Some folks summit before dawn to catch the sunrise. Wow.

Also, fitness-wise I am doing well right now. I am running 3-4 times a week with one longer run on the weekends so I feel good in that regard but I should be careful of altitude sickness since I am no longer at 5280 feet and instead reside about 2100 feet above sea level…

Plan of Action (POA): Buy some stuff?

Firm up plans when I get home to Colorado. Remember what I wrote to MK in the last email: “Ok, I just looked at the route - Longs Peak is actually classed as difficult...I did not know this. I wish I had not known this - I it kind of freaks me out. Plus I looked at the pictures of the climb - it looks intense. But we can do this. I think is gonna be awesome and if for some reason the conditions or weather is bad, there is no shame in having tried and not summiting - it is after all, about the journey; not the destination.” And, drink lots of water!