Getting in shape

[KD Talbot]

You've seen the pictures. She's always up the steep part looking down with that inquisitive look, "What's the hold up? Are you coming or what?"

KDT

[Brad]

You've seen the pictures. She's always up the steep part looking down with that inquisitive look, "What's the hold up? Are you coming or what?"

KDT

Yes, I have seen Emma doing that too.

[Acrophobe]

I wonder if dogs suffer from altitude sickness...


Not Emma, I suppose.

[KD Talbot]

I have a wonderful book named Fourteeners/Colorado's Highest A Photo Journey by Roger Edrinn. He climbed all 54 with his dog Diente, now passed along, who was the only dog to ever climb all the Fourteeners. The photographs are just astounding. I would recommend it for anyone who loves mountains (and dogs) and it comes with a CD full of screen saver photos.

He makes no mention of the dog suffering altitude sickness, although it's a photo book and not an essay.

If anyone's interested you can get it here:

http://www.abovethetimber.com/

KDT

[Acrophobe]

I wish my dog was still around every time I pass someone hiking with one. It would make the hikes so much more spirited. Although, Lassie was morbidly obese for a dog (in a cute way) so I'm not too sure how well she'd do....

And it's funny you mention Colorado fourteeners. I've been building violins and cellos as a hobby for a while now, and there a few local craft fairs I'm entering them in. The prize money should be enough for round trip airfare to Colorado Springs (it's only two hundred-ish, not that bad, really), home to Pikes Peak. I've been interested in doing something bigger then NH mountains for a while now, and this looks like it could be my chance. I was originally going to do Mount Rainer in Washington (14,411 feet), in part because because my aunt lives in the area and in part because it's so beautiful around there. Unfortunately, a good portion of it is technical ice climbing (probably out of my league) and also, you need to get a permit to climb it alone. Unlikely they'd give it to someone like me.

So, I looked at Mount Whitney (highest in the lower 48), but there's an anti-overuse lottery held in February, and I'd missed it.

Sooo, Pikes Peak. 14,110 feet, it is, and more importantly, it's summitable by a mere hiking trail - no technical skill required, only raw endurance. The Barr trail (the main trail) is twelve and a half miles long and rises 7500 feet. Apparently, the round trip is doable as a day hike, but I'd want to savor the experience and camp after summiting. Interestingly, it looks like Pikes Peak is the Colorado equivalent of our Washington - it's got a road, a cog railway, and a big summit house full of overweight tourists who didn't climb up.

How old is Emma, by the way?

[mtruman]

Sooo, Pikes Peak. 14,110 feet, it is, and more importantly, it's summitable by a mere hiking trail - no technical skill required, only raw endurance. The Barr trail (the main trail) is twelve and a half miles long and rises 7500 feet. Apparently, the round trip is doable as a day hike, but I'd want to savor the experience and camp after summiting. Interestingly, it looks like Pikes Peak is the Colorado equivalent of our Washington - it's got a road, a cog railway, and a big summit house full of overweight tourists who didn't climb up.

Yikes - 24 miles and 7500' up and down as a day hike Makes Seek The Peak seem like a literal walk in the park. Seriously though it sounds like a great trip and a great hike - particularly with a night under the stars at 14,000' to celebrate the victory.

[Acrophobe]

Yeah, sounds like a bit much. Here's a trail report of a couple who did it in one day. Sounds like they were really suffering at the end - and don't we all know that feeling? http://www.summitpost.org/trip-repor...ay-ascent.html


And yeah, camping at 14k oughta be neat. So high oxygen deprivation might even be noticeable.


Don't suppose I could borrow Emma...?

[KD Talbot]

Emma's almost 9. You lead, she will follow, or is it the other way around?

KDT

[Brad]

Emma is definitely a leader.

[Acrophobe]

Yes, she is. You should make her a little sporty vest with "Expedition Leader" on the nametag, KD.