I promised more info on the big hike, the hike to the top of Pikes Peak, which I’ve been trying to do for two summers running. About a month ago, I realized that if I kept waiting for other people to be ready, I might not ever get to go. I told the others that I was going, and one by one, they expressed excitement. We set the date for this weekend, which ever day will be best for walking. The most severe danger on the mountain is thunderstorms, which roll in almost every day through the summer and it’s best to get to the top before they arrive.
Today was too wet. Also very cold for this time of year. It’s still very gray and we haven’t seen the Peak all day.
Tomorrow’s forecast for Pikes Peak is brilliant, about as good as it gets this time of year—sunny and crisp. It will be cold at the top. There will be probably be snow, since it’s been raining down here all day. I’ve got my clothes together (much of it borrowed from CR’s plentiful stores of Gortex and high end thermals) and my Camelbak is packed. Kelli, my best friend from junior high, is going. Renate has a cold and is very disappointed, but probably can’t. There might be one more. Christopher Robin is the driver (he only runs Pikes Peak!) and will pick us up a the top.
Hooray! I am SO looking forward to this!!! I’ll report back and let you know how it went.
EDIT: 5:13 am Sunday. It’s cloudy and I was worried, but it looks like it will clear by 6 and we’ll be fine. Woohoo!