Woke up early this morning and made a short drive from Breckenridge to climb Quandary Peak, our first Fourteener. There are 58 peaks in Colorado that rise above 14,ooo ft. and Quandary ranks 13th on the list in total elevation (14ers.com). We took the East Ridge route which starts at the trailhead elevation of 10,850 ft. The route covers 6.75 miles and rises 3,450 ft. to the peak which sits at 14,265 ft. Loved sharing the day with Deb and about 20 others...can't describe the views and the experience of standing at what feels like the top of the world. I can't imagine what Everest must be like sitting twice as high as what we experienced.
7:01am
Heavy rains the night before caused some flooding on the way to the trailhead
Quandary Peak - 14,265 ft.
7:12am - Gathering at the trailhead
Never a dull moment
7:15am - The climb begins
7:42am - Starting to come out of the forest
8:12am
8:29am - Came across these little guys
8:32am - Views already impressive...note the lakes in the background which you see along way as our elevation rises
8:38am - The peak looks close enough to touch but is still miles away
9:05am - Looking back at how far we've come...still lots to go
9:42am - Getting up into the clouds
9:52am - Doesn't look far but look at how small the people look in front of us
10:09am - Snowball fight
Watch your step
10:50am - Almost there
10:58am - Mission Accomplished!
360-degree panorama
What are you all doing in my house?
12:31pm - We have to go all the way back now...these guys followed us down for about an hour
The first of many...I'm addicted now
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