The Rocky Mountain range spans 3,000 miles from western Canada all the way through the U..S. into the states of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, & Arizona. It is one of the best scenic pieces of land in the world which was created 70-80 million years ago.
The tallest mountain in the Rocky Mountain range is MOUNT ELBERT(14,440 ft), which is also the tallest in Colorado, and the Second tallest in mainland USA. I wanted to climb this mountain. My desire became my motto and I made my way to Leadville, CO, the Highest altitude city in the US at 10152 FT high.
I wanted to climb the mountain BUT when I looked from the road it was too tall and someone like me who is not physically athletic might be too big to ask for myself. I was discouraged by looking but determined to get started. Started early at 5 am, I reached the base at 5:30 am- it was dark and I had a torch light, the first 3 miles below the tree line was a relatively easy but gradually inclined path, then started a steep, rocky path. I was tired, sleepy and had difficulty breathing with thin air- I happened to not carry oxygen with me.
I felt altitude sickness with a heavy head, and headache and decided to back down.
After returning few steps- I took two Advil and rested for 5 minutes I thought to myself, whatever I have achieved so far it already beyond my own belief of myself as I have already climbed over 12,500 Ft which itself is a milestone, then I turned around and decided not to give up then started climbing again.
It was freezing cold (33’F or 0’C), started to rain and I couldn’t see the road forward with the thick fog- definitely, today wasn’t the best day to climb the mountain. The trail was crowded when it started but many people didn’t make it to the first false summit. I overtook some and a few others did that to me as well.
After the first false summit which I was aware of there came a second summit and I thought I reached the top but this was the false summit again which made me more discouraged. My headache was getting better but now I could hardly move my feet forward and was breathing longer and my heart was beating faster- It was the altitude that was the big hurdle as I was gaining about 1000 feet per hour and a total of 4500 elevation gain to reach the top.
I was again about to give up but convenience myself to give a final push. I need to be honest here, I thought about giving up and returning back many times, probably 200 times and 201 times- I told myself to stick with my plan and here I made it to the top of the PEAK at 11 am. This 1 extra time is a HUGE number as it took me to the top.
There were many other climbers on the peak and we all shared the accomplishment together- took some pictures and rested and ate the sandwich I carried in my backpack.
It was windy, freezing cold, and mild rain. The mountain was covered with thick fog and couldn’t see the otherwise beautiful sight from the top (I am including two pictures from google- one in winter and one in summer views, which I couldn’t see).
I feel a great achievement for making it to the top. Then it’s time to descend after staying there for 30 mins as the weather was getting worse and a thunderstorm was predicted at about 2 pm. Let me tell you one more thing- climbing down isn’t easy as well, especially the rocky part and needs so much muscle and hurts your knees, using a hiking pole is a must.
During the hike here are few life lessons I learned for myself:
1) If you want it- You will find a way to do it;
2) Nothing can stop you from achieving your target;
3) The path to success isn’t easy and everyone around you won’t believe you will achieve it until you do;
4) Don’t give up on your dreams until you made it into reality;
5) Yes, you can do it;
6) There is only a limited time you can be at peak- you ultimately need to climb down
I hope you liked my travel journal as you have read this far. Best wishes to you to achieve your wants, desires, and dreams.
YaY!!!, I am a PROUD 14’er!!!
