Mount Elbert

So this post is about a year over due...  I was cleaning out my inboxes today, and I was getting ready to post my Arkansas peak pictures when I came across these.

A few highlights about this peak.  Mount Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado and is over 14,000 feet in elevation, which makes it the 3rd highest peak in the US.  I did a 14er with Mary a few years ago (Mount Bierstadt) and while it was difficult, we made it.  I figured this would be the same.  Oh so wrong.  This hike was a beast!  The 2 mile "walk" to get from the parking area to the trail head along was the hardest hike I have ever done.

Poor Cherie was such a good sport when every 2 steps (that, sadly, is not an exaggeration) I had to stop to rest, get some water, and some trail mix.  I blame myself for being a fat ass and out of shape (btw, I'm eating a donut right now to reinforce this statement and truth), but I do think another day to acclimate to the altitude would have helped...a little.  Unfortunately, I did not make it to the top of this peak, so that begs the question of whether doing any portion of the hike counts or if I have to attempt this beast again sometime in the future.  (Please say doing a portion counts!!!)

You will not see Mary pictured here because 2 days before we arrived in Denver, she found out she was prego with the cutie pie that is now Miss Kelly Reed!