This year we planned a 50-miler in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. Fifteen boys and 7 leaders set out for what we expected to be a week long adventure that would take us to several high-mountain lakes and to the top of several 12.5k+ foot mountain peaks.
(Click picture to open window to zoom)
Day 1: After losing the trail and 2 leaders to injury on the first day, I knew we were in for a great week! We ended the first day at our planned destination, Stewart Lake, hours late. Nobody chose to take the planned evening hike to Lake Catherine.
Day 2: The second day created men out of the boys and put us old guys closer to the grave. It was a work out that included running like idiots through Horse Thief meadow in the middle of a torrential downpour, and then climbing straight up towards Pecos Baldy Lake. We ended day 2 cold, wet, and beyond exhaustion camped on a slope just below the lake.
Day 3: The summit! Day 3 started with a morning summit of East Pecos Baldy and a broken arm for one of the boys. We split the group and sent the masochists towards Truchas Peak, while the rest of us headed back down to attend to the injured.
Day 4: Ah the nice leisure stroll downward towards a trail head. I secretly pitied other groups we passed who were heading up the trail. This was a very cheery day!
Day 5: Pack up! We cleaned up, packed our bags, and devoured the remaining of our food stash. Then we headed towards a buffet in Amarillo, Tx...unfortunately, I picked the wrong ride and ended up missing the buffet while waiting at a local hospital getting yet another boy repaired.
Here I am proudly perched on top of East Pecos Baldy at 12,500 feet.
2 comments:
Wow. You look like a real camp leader. Can I borrow the hat sometime?
Yes, what a cool hat! The mountain goats envied the shade I enjoyed under that hat.
I borrowed it from Shane...so you'll need to get it from him.
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