The basics of Elbert are simple - it's a 14,000'+ foot hunk of rock with a 4,300 climb over 4.5 miles.  With this being highpoint #37 for us, we knew it would be a challenge, but I was not truly prepared for what would come.  Even with 60 mile bike rides, lots of running and hiking, and 3 days at 9,000' altitude, I had never experienced exertion above 13,000'.

We started our hike from our campsite at Elbert Creek.  It was about 1/4 mile to the actual trailhead, and we were hiking by 5am to avoid the thunderstorms that are so numerous in this area.  Nonetheless, we expected a calm weather day, with a 10% chance of boomers.  Our starting elevation was about 10,100'.  We started up through the trees and immediately we were both huffing and puffing on the trail as the grade increased.  After about 1.5 hours we broke out of the trees at 12,000' and started up through a boulder-strewn meadow and up a ridge.  At the treeline I was experiencing a slight lightheadedness.  I had studied the effects of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) but I attributed the slight effect to hard breathing in thin air.  We decided to continue on.  Hunter was tired and was also struggling with the exertion and elevation, but showed no signs of AMS.

As we started up the ridge and passed through 12,500', I started feeling better and got my "second wind".  Although I was feeling better, we were taking frequent stops as we navigated the switchbacks.  We continued on, and at about 13,200' I began experiencing the lightheadedness again. With the exertion of the climb, the labored breathing, and the lightheadedness, I was seriously considering starting back down.  Hunter and I were both dealing with "spaghetti legs", but we determined we would ascend another 100' and see how I was feeling.  After a short rest I was marginally better and we continued on, resolving to monitor the altitude.  We climbed VERY slowly, taking rests every 50' or so of altitude.  As we climbed we could see the "false summits" of Elbert with the true summit just behind.   Even at this slow pace we were catching some climbers that had started ahead of us.  At 13,800' the climbing was extremely labored, and I was still mildly lightheaded but it was no worse.  I did some simple tests (such as standing on one foot) to ensure my balance was not affected.  Balance seemed fine.  Hunter and I discussed options for continuing and decided to make a decision every 100'.  As we crossed over 14,000' the lack of air made it impossible to drink water while walking.  We were breathing so hard we had to stop, catch our breath, and take sips between breaths.  We were very close to the top (433' away) and we decided to go for it.  It took almost an hour for us to climb this last distance.  As we neared the summit, I reached a point where I was not sure if I would make the last 50'.  Head down, climb on.

At the summit I was so exhausted I could barely get the pen to write down the lat/long readings.  I realized that I might indeed be experiencing a mild case of AMS, and that we needed to start down soon.  We snapped some pics, talked to some other climbers, and started down.  It was the quickest we had ever left a summit.  As we started down and I was moving very slowly and working to maintain balance.  By the time we descended 300' I was feeling much better and by the time we reached 14,000' I was feeling great.  The labored breathing of the ascent was replaced by conversation on the way down.  I talked with a man who was on his way up, and he said that if I had spent another few minutes on the summit, I would have felt better.  Live and learn.  I was more concerned with getting Hunter down safely.  The trip down was easy (though steep) and we had a very good time.

Although we push each other on our climbs, I have to credit Hunter with the success on Elbert.  Hunter probably could have climbed another 1,000-2,000' feet when we reached the summit.  I told him on the way down that if, at any point, he had said he was dizzy we would have started back down.  Hunter was the one on this hike who was saying "just another 100 feet".  I guess he is growing up (and I'm getting old!!)