Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/4147489240
Against general advice, I climbed the second tallest peak in the Rocky Mountains less than 24 hours after flying in from Michigan. Did I suffer from altitude sickness as I approached that 14,421′ summit? Yes. Did I enjoy my first Colorado 14er experience? Absolutely. Did I do it alone? No, I had the fantastic company of an adventurous mountain-loving girl named Aly that I had met for the first time in-person when she picked me up from the Colorado Springs airport the evening prior. Aly had already climbed Mount Massive and had about two dozen other 14er summits under her belt. I was not acclimated to the elevation but had built up a good endurance base through a solid summer of ultra running. It was just enough to get me to the summit and back.
We set super early alarms and drove in the dark so we could get to the trailhead at dawn. We lucked out with the weather. Mountain conditions are unpredictable, especially in October, but we enjoyed snow-free trails, blue sky, and only minor amounts of smoke from distant forest fires. It was chilly and windy, especially above treeline, but otherwise a pretty perfect day. We took the East Slopes Route, which is the standard route for Mount Massive. The trailhead is at close to 10,000′ and the total gain for our route was approximately 4,500′.
We had no trouble finding a parking spot at the trailhead, where we layered up and put on our hiking packs. I had read that you go through water faster in altitude, but given we were hiking rather than running and with the cool weather I expected that 3 liters would be an ample amount. I had run 50Ks on less than 3 liters before, and on warmer days. But it was not enough. I did carry more food than I could eat, but struggled to eat solids like granola bars and our delicious peanut butter banana muffins. Aly saved me thrice when I needed it by sharing 1) some of her water, 2) apple sauce packets, and 3) toilet paper (I should have known there wouldn’t be any soft leaves at 14,000′). I learned some lessons.
We started slow and stopped frequently to take pictures (a great excuse to catch my breath). The trail was easy to follow and featured relatively straight sections with only a couple of switchbacks. The first few miles passed through beautiful conifer forest and aspen stands at peak fall color.
We crossed a couple of creeks and the trail gradually ascended until we reached the treeline, after which we had great views of Mount Massive and surrounding peaks but also increasing exposure to the wind.
From there we could see Mount Massive ahead. It was just a long, uphill hike through the thin air from there! We passed or leapfrogged a few small groups of other hikers on the way up. I fared well until we reached an elevation about 12,500′ but above that I had to take more frequent short breaks to catch my breath. I tried to eat a muffin but was only able to nibble and chew a portion of it. Aly and I pulled our rain jackets out to fend off the cold wind.
There were patches of ice and snow on the slope, but the trail was in great condition. We also saw and heard some pikas, but they were too far away to get a good photograph. Perhaps my favorite part of the hike was the moment we reached the ridge and saw the amazing view of the Sawatch Range on the other side.
Although I was hydrating well, the elevation and lack of acclimation were hitting me. I didn’t have a headache, but was feeling a little dizzy and nauseous, similar to a yucky sensation of motion-sickness. So, the hike up the ridge to summit was slow-going and Aly (a veritable mountain goat) was very patient. Finally, we reached the summit and I stomped a hiking shoe on the high point. My first Colorado 14er! Well, at least the summit was achieved. I still needed to get back down the mountain to Aly’s car.
We took some time at the summit to admire the view, snap a few photos, and eat some quick snacks. It was cold and windy so we didn’t linger long. I also finished my water on the summit. I was feeling woozy coming down the ridge, so had to move slowly and carefully. Once we left the ridge, descending the east slope was a little easier for me. But I felt another wave of dizziness once we reached treeline and I struggled through what should have been an easy hike back through the forest. Probably because I was dehydrated by that point. I needed to sit down a couple times. Aly let me have the last of her water and patiently guided me back to the car, where she had smartly stashed additional water bottles.
After finishing our 14-mile hike Aly drove me into Leadville so I could check it out (note to self: if I ever run the Leadville Trail 100, acclimate!). Then we enjoyed a delicious vegan pizza and pumpkin beers at Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub in Salida. Getting some food in me helped.
The next day, I was feeling much better! We drove to the top of Pikes Peak and later climbed the Manitou Incline. Aly crushed it in just under 35 minutes. I was proud enough of my 41:19, for a first attempt and a day after climbing Massive. I really enjoyed my first introduction of the Barr Trail, and relished running down it from the top of the Incline.
It was a fantastic trip and I look forward to tackling my next 14er!
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