so, we finally did it. we climbed a colorado 14er. for those of you who don't know what a 14er is, let me explain....it is a mountain that is over 14,000ft high and yes, people climb to the top of them here in the C.O. we (brad, maya, brad's friend-brad #2, and I) left denver around 5:45 and headed 1.5hours into the mountains to the base of mount bierstadt.
maya and i on the way to our first 14er!
the morning started in quite an unusual way. when we were at our cars getting our gear on the wind blew an abnormal substance through the parking lot and literally everyone in the lot started coughing and sneezing. i tried putting my shirt over my nose but to no avail. it passed after about a minute but everyone was in bewilderment. what could it have been? we may never know?
brad and brad#2 at the trailhead. we estimated it would take about 4-5 hours round trip...not too bad?
our first obstacle...a creek. i didnt want to get my pants wet....so dont mind the fashion faux pas.
yes!!!! we made it!
making our first pitstop...and fueling up for the tough climb ahead.
yep, i may have been hiking a little fast for the boys :) sorry guys.
maya did GREAT! i took her off-leash about 20min into the hike and she listened sooooo well. i am so lucky to have found such a great dog! as you can sorta see in this picture, i recently purchased a doggie backpack for her so that she will be responsible for carring her water and food. she didn't even seem to notice it was on.
a better view of maya and her doggie backpack (or as brad likes to call it "doggie saddle")
we made it! 14,060ft.
what a good pic of my friend, that's a boy.
maya did exceptionally well with all the people around her and on the trail. she didn't try to run away and hide like she has had the tendency to do in the past. she even let people pet her and of course she LOVED socializing with all the other dogs on the trail. however, she did need a little down time when we reached the top so here she is curled up in her "safe spot" :)
the emblem at the top of the mountain.
the view of the continental divide.
cute maya
view south toward new mexico/pikes peak/salida.
oh maya :) she followed me everywhere, i think this pic is from her keeping the lookout while i took a much needed 'pit stop' (if you know what i mean?)
awesome tundra flowers
maya LOVED the snow. whenever she saw a patch she would run over and dive head first into it (much like a "coda dive"). i think she is going to like winter-alot!!!
on the way down...i let the boys go in front but only for a little while bc they couldn't handle me clipping at their heels.
the view of the marsh below
the boys... thats the peak of bierstadt behind them.
we made it out just before the afternoon storms...phew! :)all in all it was a great 14er...not to hard for the first one and i can not wait to do another one. any takers?
