Mr. Todd is helping to organize our mountaineering WOD this summer. I will put a link on the upper right below the lifting class so we can easily navigate back to this post and check on the plans, discussions etc. Thanks Todd!
Yo, you mind putting an announcement up on the blog re: a fourteener? I did Democrat on Sunday, and given the white-out weather / snow up to my hip (in places) experience, I think waiting until August is probably a good move. However, we should get it on the calendar soon, so people can plan their weekends.
My suggestion is that we could probably do a two-part fourteener--basically what I planned to do last weekend, but did not complete because of the snow. There is a route that is just Mt. Democrat and is only a comparatively easy 4 mile round trip (which I did this weekend with the snow).
Here is the route: http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?route=demo1&peak=Mt.+Democrat
About a half mile down from the top of Democrat you can choose to either proceed back to the car, or you can hit 3 more peaks (Cameron, Bross and Lincoln) for a total 7 mile trip. You stay up around 13,600 for most of the three "extra peaks" so there is not huge amount of additional up-and-down. Plus, you don't have to make a decision about what you are going to do until after you've done Democrat.
Here is the combo route: http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?route=bros6&peak=Democrat,+Cameron,+Lincoln,+Bross
Here is the interactive map, that is pretty clear on where you’re going:
http://www.14ers.com/flash/overviewtopos/overviewmaps.php?peak=Mt.%20Democrat&wwparam=1245681820
I thought this gave options for the hearty, and the new, to be able to hike together, but push it as much as each person wanted to (or give an easy(ier) out!). Anyway, I am certainly open for suggestions on mountains, routes and dates, etc…
37 comments:
As long as you all are willing to "babysit" . . . I'm in! I have never done this, and it sounds exciting!
I can't believe I'm actually considering this...never would have a few months ago, but this CrossFit really gives a person a kick in the pants to do things you've never done before! If it's going to be in August, it'll be my birthday hike!
Very cool, i hope that you guys can all make it! Just take it as fast or as slow as you want. I am pretty confident that everyone who does crossfit s/be able to do this w/o much problem. Who else is in???
I am interested... do you have a date selected?
I was thinking August for dates for the 14'er: August 1 or August 8. Ian is hositng a BJJ clinic on the weekend of the 15th. Any preferences?
I vote for the 1st!
I could probaly do the first
I'm cool with the first.
Derek and I are in..the first of Aug. works for us!
It's on my calendar! haven't done one in quite a few years!
anyone interested in staying up there ? make a night out of it? let me know I will research places to stay.. there are some hotsprings up there too.. might be fun..after WOD WOD.
Maybe Brent would let us all stay at the firehouse!
So, looks like August 1st is the date. So far confirmations from:
Todd/Anne
Jen (+1?)
Lorie/Derek
Catherine (+1?)
Corene (+1?)
Ian(+1?)
Aaron (maybe?)
Dean (maybe?)
I know Scuba Steve had mentioned some interest, too. Anyone else?
Count me in for 1 on the first. I think that Marion and the kiddos will be in New Orleans visiting her family during that time. (I don't go to New Orleans in the summer.)
My +1 will be Mark!
I messed up, August 1 is the Breckenridge Quickstick Lacrosse tournament, and I committed to play months ago. I calendared the wrong date, and generally dropped the ball.
I am still more than happy to coordinate things for people on August 1st: get directions for everyone, get a gear list together, get the maps, etc--I just won't be able to go on the 1st.
If people want to move to move it to the 8th, I would love to go, but I certainly do not feel right about changing 12 people's schedule's on account of my mistake.
Again, I am more than happy to continue to coordiante things for the 1st for everyone. If the 8th works, great! But I am not asking for the laws of physics to change and the world to start revolving around me! Sorry about the confusion.
Todd, that is funny that you would even think that the laws of the physic world would even begin to revolve around you...it clearly has been revolving around me for a long time! :) But besides that..I think Derek and I could do the 8th as well, we just need at least a couple of weeks notice. It wouldn't be right if you didn't show up to do this with us..we might get lost!
Silly question . . . how much time do I need to plan for this? My high school reunion is that day, but not until the evening (and it is here in town).
**Lorie . . . you're too funny!
Lorie, you're right, at best I am "dwarf planet" like the planet formerly known as Pluto.
As to the question for how much time you'll need, it depends. I fyou're just doing Democrat, I think you can do it in no more than 3-4 hours.
If you're doing all 4 you're probably looking at 7-9 hours. That is a rough estimate--you may be much faster-if you're with me I am not very fast and I've had some knee problems).
You DO want to get on the mountian and going as early as possible (read: you're driving in the dark/early light to the trailhead), you want to be over half way done by 11-noon because of afternoon storms.
The 8th works for me and I'd love to join the group. August 1st was a little iffy....
I'm good for the 8th. When a few more people chime in I'll let the BJJ people know too if they would like to participate.
Sure - the 8th will work. For the 8th, have me plus 3. I'll bring the fam.
Would anyone mind if my friend Amy joined us on the 8th?
You can bring anyone you like!
In case anyone is interested...the REI at Wadsworth and Belleview is doing a mountaineering class (free) on Thursday night at 7pm. The staff member said he would recommend it highly for anyone in our group who is hiking a 14'er for the first time. He also said to let everyone know that Bross is off limits to the public at this time. It was also mentioned that if the weather was too poor for Democrat that Quandary might be another option.
Probably not a bad idea to do the class. I am not an expert by any stretch, so I think I may try to make it, thanks Jen!
I looked up the closure of Bross and it's a mixed bag. Technically the summit (only) of Bross is closed due to the landowner (i did not know this was not completely owned by the givernment) not consenting, yet. You can still do the trail, you just skirt the summit.
I read some recent trip posts and the consensus was that if you're going to do the whole tirp you HAVE to be there really early (i.e. 6). By 7-8, they said the trailhead is packed. Plus, you want to get off the mountain before mid-afternoon. So, FYI, you'll be leaving your house in the dark. T'will still be fun though!
If you want to read about Bross, see
http://www.14ers.org/peaks_Mosquito_Bross.php
still not sure if I in or not! depends on the tummy :)
Hey all, I may have missed this. But can we figure out a meeting time at the trailhead?
And who is camping overnight, anyone?
Hey all - 2 quick things:
What do we think about everyone wearing our Crossfit Littleton shirts that day - we could take a group photo at the top??
Also, anyone up for carpooling - no need for all of us to drive separately if everyone plans on heading back home after the hike...and some adult beverages too of course.
I would suggest that the earlier we get started the better, afternoon storms are the thing you really want to avoid. I don’t know if most people are going to try to do the 4 mountain trip or the 1 mountain trip. I am going to try to do the 4 mountain, but given some problems with my knee I probably won’t make the decision until after hitting the top of Democrat. Sunrise is at 6:10am on Saturday, and if you’re contemplating hitting all four, I think we’ll want to be at the trailhead and going right about then. Reasonable minds can disagree, I am conservative.
Carpooling is a very very very good idea, as parking is limited and this is pretty popular place. Anne is not going to make it this time, so I have plenty of room in my jeep, or I can tag along with someone else.
From the town of Alma, the trailhead is about 15-20 minutes of rough dirt road (you turn West on Buckskin road in Alma). I would NOT suggest driving anything but a 4x4/SUV; you can do it in a car, but it would be a very bumpy-dodgy drive.
There are M/F toilets at the kite-lake trailhead, in case you’re wondering.
Directions and trip reports can be found at the links in the main part of this post- I would suggest taking a look, the 14’ers site is really good.
Other tips:
*I am going to bring walking poles, you can rent from REI for under $10;
* Remember to bring cold weather and rain gear (jacket and long pants) as it can be pretty freakin chilly (layers, layers, layers)—a good gear checklist can be found at http://www.14ers.com/gearlist.php ;
* My cell phone actually worked a great deal of the way last time including on the top (I was not expecting that)
* Hydrate
* My hands swell at altitude and I, personally, take off my wedding ring
* Be familiar with altitude sickness—see http://www.ismmed.org/np_altitude_tutorial.htm if nothing else read the golden rules at the bottom of the page.
Again, I am not an expert by any means, so if you have other tips, tricks, devices, concerns, contrivances, details, plans, schemes, info, or thoughts… please share!
I say we meet at the gym for carpooling.
4 AM or 3:45?
I'd say that meeting at the gym before 4 is a good idea--although I could pick you up, Ian, in Golden on our way out.
ONE OTHER THING: if you wanna be a good guy, and possibly save yourself some money if you ever needed to be rescued you can buy a
Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card (from the State) online at:
http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/fa/sar/sar_purchase.html
It may prevent you from being billed for certain rescue costs (in the unlikely evcent you'd need to be rescused) by purchasing it and getting access to the State fund. It's cheap $3 a year or $12 for 5 years.
More info? Look at
http://www.coloradosarboard.org/csrb-COSARFund.asp?wwparam=1249492112
Let's keep it simple and not much earlier! I'm telling everyone 3:45 at the gym. And the fewer cars the better. Then we can rotate if we need to on the drive home cuz people will be tired.
Sadly I am not going to go. Which is sad for all of you since when I hike I actually talk less, complain less, and go faster!
Just still not comfy with the tummy specially in the woods! Plus the pinky toe! Take lots of pictures!!!
Will be with you in humorous spirit!
I'll need a ride. I'll be at the gym at 3:45.
Big thanks to Todd and Ian for getting this all put together - what a great time!
Everyone did awesome, what a testament to the benefits of Crossfit. Great job on your first 14er Jennifer....those are some big mountains!!
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