Pikes Peak

This was my tenth Colorado 14er, and first this year (I hope to do ten more this summer). I summited from the Crags on Friday, 12.5 miles and 4,100 feet of elevation gain. Aside from the section along the road with all the cars, this was a beautiful hike. The last 700 feet of elevation gain included a talus scramble over ice. Too many people on top (cars and railroad) to want to stay long. I climbed again on Saturday, 11.2 miles one way from Barr Trailhead, with about 7,500 feet of elevation gain. Had a group waiting on top to bring me down, otherwise I would have done this in two days, camping at Barr Camp. The Barr trail is beautiful, though I did the first two hours in the dark, to ensure a good summit by one pm. Grueling, doing it twice in two days, but a feeling of real accomplishment.