pikes peak, part 1

abbi kept the kids while pat and i climbed pike's peak.  thank you abbi!!!

 
it was my first 14er (that's what they call mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation - there are 53 such peaks in colorado!)  pat climbed long's peak a long time ago...

the first 3 miles were pretty steep and brutal.  the white signs are usually not there.  the day before was the pikes peak marathon - that's right, people run up to the top then turn around and run back down.  amazing!

 

the second section of the barr trail is beautiful, much easier, and so peaceful

 
it took us just over 3 hours to get to the halfway point, barr camp.

 
we took a little side hike to a rock outcropping about a mile from barr camp

being silly.  bottom right photo is the rock outcropping that we climbed

 

 





this is inside barr camp.  the caretakers, neal and teresa, live there year-round (and have since 2005).  pat is sitting in their living room with norbert, the only other camper there that night.  this was his LAST 14er to conquer.  yep, he's done every one of them plus most of the high 13ers.  incredible!




 

our dinner.  i highly recommend the shepherd's pie;  i recommend the pepper steak with reservations;  i do NOT recommend the banana cream pie.  gross.

to be continued...