So, I felt pumped up from the incredibly challenging camping and biking trip to Utah in the late spring earlier this year. It was only natural to set another challenging goal for this summer: summiting Longs Peak. Longs Peak is not the highest fourteener of Colorado. However, it is one of the more challenging mountains to reach in Colorado – by ordinary hikers and hiking. This is mostly due to the distance of 7 miles to the top from the trailhead, the high elevation gain of almost 5000 feet, and the challenging scramble over the final mile toward the top. My wife has decided to support and join me in this attempt to sweeten the challenge. “Alright, we have to work out a lot before the climb to make this a reality,” I declared. We had two to three months until the end of Summer in September to make it happen before the weather conditions on the mountain became rough.

The 4th of July

First, we had to take our kids camping around Colorado for the long July Fourth weekend. This was also our last opportunity to spend quality time together before sending them to Grandparents for the rest of the Summer holidays. We decided to experience the authentic American 4^th celebrations in Colorado countryside near Creede and Lake City. What can be more inspiring and fitting American independence than the fireworks spiced with a mining-drilling contest and rodeo?

An exciting side adventure was a biking trip on a road heavily frequented by ATV riders decorated with American flags, too! Our lungs felt a little dusty after this, and we felt it was time to move on with our road trip. We made a bunch of nice hikes around Lake City to revisit some old mining operations’ ramshackle ruins with some stunning views along the way.   

Grays and Torreys

Then, we sent our kids off and thought we could finally focus 100% on the hiking pinnacle for this year. First, we decided to hike Greys and Torreys, two fourteeners conveniently located next to each other.   We left early in the morning and started hiking at about 8 am. We summited Torreys in a few hours with no problems and then also hiked over the Greys peak. The views were breathtaking, and I thought this challenge was a great decision, even if we’ll never make it to Longs Peak.

Unforeseen Events and Payback of Favors

We started planning our next fourteener or at least some high altitude hike for the next week after returning. Quandary Peak near Breckenridge would be lovely, we thought! But the weekend came, and then, “BAM!” my wife’s retina popped, and she completely lost her vision in one of her eyes!  To make the long story short, we needed to schedule surgery immediately to reattach her retina. This was a serious procedure with full anesthesia and several weeks of recovery required. No altitude/pressure changes weren’t allowed either because of a small gas bubble inside the eye. I was primarily worried about her health prospects, of course, but on the sideline, I thought the Longs Peak would probably not happen this year!

Luckily, the surgery went well, and everything looked alright with the recovery. However, it was clear that she could not climb any fourteeners this year. This was a daunting experience, and I would prefer it if this had never happened. But it did, and on the positive side, I felt good that I could be the one helping and supporting her through the health challenges and return the favors I have received during my MS-related struggles so far.

I did continue my exercise routine, though, and was still nurturing the idea that I could pull it off alone or with friends.

Longs Peak

As my wife’s recovery progressed well, the Longs Peak expedition team started to emerge. We had thrown a birthday party for my wife at the beginning of August, and then it was settled. Martin, Paul and I will hike the mountain with me. One day in early September, we just took an RV and drove toward the trailhead to get ready for an early morning start. We woke up at 3:45 am and started hiking at 4:15 am. It was still dark, and we had to use headlights. The beautiful sunrise caught us above the tree line a few miles further, about halfway to the top. We reached the summit at about 9 am, and apart from feeling slightly dizzy, I felt alright.   

So, we needed 5 hours to go up the mountain, and it took us about the same time to get down to the bottom and the trailhead. The hike was 14 miles and had an almost 5000-foot total elevation difference. The trail altitude profile was similar to what I did last year in the Grand Canyon, to the bottom and back up in one day. However, this was much steeper and harder, primarily due to the high elevation. Also, the scramble near the summit was much more challenging than the rather casual hiking in the Grand Canyon. So, I have reached another personal accomplishment: the most demanding one-day athletic activity yet! 

I feel very proud every time I accomplish some challenging goals I set for myself. It makes me feel good and in control, I guess. I am already plotting some other future challenges. Luckily, there are many exciting targets in Colorado. What is it going to be next year? Maroon Bells near Aspen or a multiday backpacking adventure on a bike? We will see; hopefully, my health will allow it.