There isn't any way to get ready for the altitude. Plus, we'll be staying in Loveland, which is at about the same elevation as Denver, about 5,000 feet. We previously stayed in Estes Park, in the mountains, at about 7,500 feet. So we'll be losing the benefit of sleeping at the 2,500 ft. higher altitude. Increasing our metabolism and respiration with exercise is the best way.
Leaving on Friday morning by rental car, we'll be staying in Lincoln NE overnight, and arriving on Saturday afternoon around 3:00. After depositing our gear at camp, we'll head straight up trail ridge road. At the top of trail ridge road, about 12,000 feet, we previously took a little trail up a hill 7 years ago, and that's where I proposed to Vicki.
We will be in the mountains for 1 week, plus 2 days driving there then back. Vicki has never climbed a peak above 12,000 feet, and I am very excited that we'll be able to do that together, maybe multiple times, perhaps even higher than 13,000 feet.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/national_parks/rocky_mountain_map.jpg
I am also going to collect ideas and reference images for large fine art pieces. More on that as we go.
All of our hikes will be in Rocky Mountain National Park, starting at Estes Park. Estes Park is home to the hotel that Stephen King stayed at while writing The Shining... The Stanley Hotel.
If all goes well, on the last day, Friday June 28th, we will climb Longs Peak. At 14,255 feet, it is one of the highest mountain in the continental united states. Elevation gain will be 5,100 feet, and the trail is 15 miles round trip. The hike has to start no later than 4:00 am, so as to avoid the frequent noon thunder and lightening storms at the peak.
Tonight: Begin packing.
June 17, 2013
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