'Theories are not matters of fact, they are derived from observing fact. If you don't have data, you don't get good theories. You get theology instead.' John Lawler
Onalaska, WI
Mount Elbert    October 2008    38 images
I went to Colorado to visit John at his new job. We played some Texas Hold 'Em, hung out with his friends, and... oh yeah, we climbed a frickin' mountain. Mt Elbert, the second-tallest peak in the continental US, to be specific. This was my first mountain, and at 14,433 feet it was a great place to start. The trailhead is at about 10,000 feet near Leadville, CO, and the book says the trail has 4,700 feet of elevation gain. We started out well before sunrise and traveled with headlamps until we were above the treeline. Sunrise at 12,000 feet is awesome. We had great weather, no major injuries, and we summited. A great first experience for me, and I think more will follow.