Laila and I had just finished
running the Aspen Sky Half Marathon, which was in fact 14.5 miles--a half
marathon is traditionally 13.1 miles, but who's counting when you have 4,000
feet of elevation gain from 9,000 feet above sea level to the top of a 13,000
foot mountain before you return to the oxygen rich 9,000 foot level once again.
It was a great race experience,
but I was once again bested by my nemesis, David Eckley, for the Master's
victory. I will beat him ... SOME DAY! (David is a good friend, but competition
is competition)
The
plan was to hike in for an hour on that first day, set up camp, then to climb
the peak the following day. I loaded up my pack with the tent, both sleeping
bags and just about everything else we might need for a week-long excursion
and set out. Laila was very comfortable with what she might need for an afternoon
day hike.
We
had agreed that after one hour of hiking we would stop and set up a camp. Being
burdened with about a 100 pound pack I closely monitored my watch. At 59 minutes
I suggested we stop. Laila replied that she would be content to continue on!
Eventually we compromised and agreed to stop as soon as we found a good camp
site. Fortunately a mere five minutes later we found a perfect site next to
the creek.
As
we made this "attempt" on Capitol, in the back of my mind was my obsession
with climbing Capitol in one day in the winter--a feat that has never been done.
I have tried it twice. Our plan is to attempt it once again on Christmas Eve,
2000...Laila, myself, and Jonathan Cavner.
The day started off well,
though the clouds were ominously rolling in.
Finally as we approached
the end of the trail and the saddle it began to rain--HARD. We sought shelter
in some Krummholtz, and after half an hour ventured forth--our initial objective
the saddle high above Capitol Lake.
Over
the saddle, we traversed across the snow towards the ascent line to K2. This
was Laila's first time using an ice ax. She got her practise in as she fell
twice!
The
rain was intermittent as we continued up the slopes, but the clouds continued
to gather and visibility diminished.
Ascending
now towards K2, we were soon in "pea soup" fog. When we came on some
rock to climb, Sam and Laila waited while I scouted out a route.
I went up, found a "way"
for them to continue, but "enough was enough". Sam and Laila were
done. The rain was coming down and spirits were dampened. It was time to retreat.
More hours of misery awaited us as the rain had now settled in in earnest.
I
was astounded to find out that cattle are allowed to graze on this pristine
high altitude country. There were notices to take care not to camp next to creeks,
etc, but if bovines are tromping the land what can humans do to damage it??
This is prime wilderness. We do not need cattle violating fragile alpine habitat,
wildflowers, alpine meadows, grasslands....
After
suffering through the rain hike, our ordeal was at an end. Capitol Peak remains
"unclimbed" by this pilgrim
