Showing Tag: "14er" (Show all posts)

Climbing a Colorado Mountain

Posted by Jason Hussong on Monday, July 18, 2011,

My legs shook like trees in the wind as I stopped to take a picture of a stream that ran through the forest on the east side of Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in all of the Rocky Mountains. I paused to rest for a moment - wondering if a few more trips to the gym would have really helped the situation - and covered for my weakness by taking a quick

photo. I needed the break more than the memories, if I was going to skip across three stones in the water to continue back down to the t...

Gearing Up for My Climb to the Top of Colorado

Posted by Jason Hussong on Monday, May 9, 2011,

I ended the week feeling demoralized. I thought I had worked hard, but apparently it wasn't enough, because I struggled climbing a hill only 8,000 feet above sea level, Sure, to a low-lander that may sound like a veritable mountain, but in Colorado it only constitutes a hill. I now can tell that I'm not only going to need to spend my time in the gym better, but also purchase some more tools to help me along the way.

The week began with a false start. I drove up the scenic Poudre Canyon t...

Beginning My Climb to the Top of Colorado

Posted by Jason Hussong on Monday, April 25, 2011,

There are fifty-three mountain peaks in Colorado that climb over 14,000 feet into the sky from sea level. That number can be disputed to one side or the other based on certain measurements, but fifty-three, all of which have a 300 foot peak prominence, is a fairly accepted number. Climbing these mountains, some in record times and ways, is a hobby of many Coloradans. For me, they've always been a thing best admired from the bottom.

Well, that is until now.

Matthews / Winters Park sits o...

Pikes Peak & America the Beautiful

Posted by Jason Hussong on Wednesday, August 18, 2010,

O beautiful for spacious skies,

It was a beautiful day as I drove up Pikes Peak with my friends Brian and Keith. The two are brothers that I've known since my college days at the University of Minnesota. They were out visiting for the weekend and wanted to go to Colorado Springs to travel to the top of one of the most famous peaks in the world. They didn't know the history of discovery behind the mountain, but were familiar with the song by Katharine Lee Bates that made it famous.

For amber...

Mount Evans in a T-Shirt

Posted by Jason Hussong on Wednesday, August 19, 2009,

I've done more than my fair share of stupid things in my life. And after going up Mount Evans, one of the notable 14ers of Colorado, in only a t-shirt, you can certainly add another to that ever growing list.

When I left home in the morning for a day of nice, leisurely hikes, the thought crossed my mind that I should be wearing jeans and that I should bring a coat along as well. After all, it only makes sense when you're going over 14,000 feet in elevation. But, for a reason that escapes ...