Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Obama has early lead on Romney

Most of Obama's voters don't work! Once the "work day" is over, Romney voters will get to the polls and the race will tighten.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Soccer season ends, and my coaching career as well.

5 seasons, 6 teams, 70 weeks and 44 games later, thanks to my players - and certainly not due to my soccer coaching skill - I estimate my career record at 36 wins, 3 losses, and 5 ties. Bittersweet!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Video Coverage of Mount Elbert

Mount Coverage begins at 2:55 and continues to the end...


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Mount Elbert Trip Report

This trip report begins 17 years ago, in late August 1995, when I was 17 years old. Before reporting to school for my freshman year at Auburn University, the AU swim team, of which I was a part, spent 5 days in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center to do some altitude training. A Louisville, Kentucky, resident, I had been to Colorado Springs annually for the previously five years, but had never done any hiking. One morning, the coaching staff woke us up at 3 AM and told us to dress warm and bring lots of water. We boarded a couple vans and arrived at the trailhead for Mount Elbert around 6 AM. I am sure that none of us knew anything about Mount Elbert, but, wearing sweat pants and carrying backpacks, we started the hike nonetheless. Most of us reached the summit in 5 hours or so, complaining all the way, and gladly, though out of breath, returned to our vans, safely but sorely, within another 2 and half or 3 hours. It was another week before I learned that Mount Elbert was the highest in Colorado and the second highest – behind California’s Mount Whitney – in the lower 49 states.

Reflecting on that experience – something done numerous times since my college swimming career ended in 1999 – I always consider hiking Mount Elbert as among the most difficult things – if not tops on that list – I had ever done. Even for an elite athlete, it was a physical challenge, effectively eight hours of non-stop hiking at significantly higher altitude than the 450-feet-above-sea-level Louisville, Kentucky; but more so, it was a mental challenge. When would there be a resting place? When would the tree line end? Am I safe from wildlife here? Are you kidding? That’s not the real summit? What? There’s another false summit too? Even on the way down, I think I’m going to fall! It was a spiritual experience; I believe in a Creator God, who reveals His eternal power and divine nature through creation – the sheer mass of a mountain is flat out impressive! You hear about mountaintop experiences from people who have enjoyed certain successes. Well, this had been both literally and in that sense, a mountaintop experience to remember. That’s why I’ve been unable to forget it over the past 17 years, despite having not returned to Coloarado, having a family, and starting a career far from the field of athletics.

In the past year, I’ve enjoyed a couple of audio books (John Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, and Ghosts of Everest: The Search for Mallory and Irvine, by Jochen Hemmleb, Larry A. Johnson, and Eric R. Simonson) that inspired me to return to the Colorado Rockies and revisit the highest of them, Mount Elbert. I thought to myself, “I’m not going to climb Everest, but I might be able to hike Elbert.” So last week, I did just that.

It began with a 1300-mile drive that ended 70 miles prematurely with a busted fuel pump just outside of Salida, Colorado, en route to Gunnison, where my wife’s sister lives. She and her daughter were our family’s hostesses for the week. My Suburban was towed to a helpful mechanic near Salida (Automotrix Exotix), and I saw Mount Aetna glaring down. The next day, we went up to Crested Butte and enjoyed Lake Irwin, then followed that up with a lazy day at the Gunnison Whitewater Park. I would make my ascent of Mount Elbert on Wednesday, August 8.

My son woke up at 2 AM that morning, unable to see anything, because our room was dark. I had my alarm set for 3 AM, but decided to go ahead and get up; I wasn’t sleeping well anyway, filled with nervous energy. The drive from Gunnison toward Leadville – in my niece’s Subaru Outback – was 120 miles, and between the hours of 2:45-5 AM, there weren’t many cars on the roads. The stars were out, and I caught mountain shadows in the distance, passing Aetna, Mount Antero, and the Collegiate Peaks (Princeton, Yale, and Harvard). I learned before coming out to Colorado that there are a couple different trails leading up to Mount Elbert, but I wanted to revisit the same trail I had taken at the halfway point of my life (the most common Northeast Ridge route). So I pulled onto Halfmoon Road just southwest of Leadville, and the excitement grew when it turned into gravel and passed several campsites. At 5:10 AM, after avoiding a few minor potholes, I parked in the obvious lot for Elbert’s trailhead and noticed Mount Massive’s trailhead just a few miles further down (maybe next year?).

Just when I thought I was the only one around, I noticed a group of 8 or 10 hikers heading for the trail with flashlights. I didn’t bring a flashlight, so I waited until there was enough light to see at least 20 feet in front of me. After a bite to eat, I could wait no longer and, after setting my “runkeeper” iphone app to a GPS hiking activity, I began the hike at 5:40 AM.

Image #1: Start
StartView Larger Image


There was an unmarked but fairly obvious (though less so in the dark) left turn over some running water within the first two minutes of the hike, and then shortly after that, there was the creek crossing that I remembered well. I must admit to nearly stepping off the logs into the shallow, rushing water, but I’m certainly glad I didn’t. Be careful here, as I think the hike would be less enjoyable with a soaked shoe… Overall, the first 20 minutes served as a great warm-up, with a pretty steady diet of steep inclines, and the view from the first hilltop thereafter was quite serene
Image #2: First Hill
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. The next 10 minutes, coming to the split in the trail where the sign to Mount Elbert points right, was a tease. Hiking down the other side of that first hill and through a flat portion of the forest made me think this was going to be easy. But the rest of forested section (another 45 minutes) of the hike was steep. As the sky slowly lightened the surrounding forest, I didn’t see another person during that time, but the 42-degree air, large female elk, scurrying chipmunks, and falling pinecones kept me alert. I moved quickly (at least from my perspective) through the trees, reaching the tree line, with 2 brief water stops along the way, only 75 minutes from the start of the hike.

At the tree line
Image #3: Tree Line
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, I caught up to 3 of the hikers that had started with flashlights. Passing them with welcoming words, I moved up the mountainside toward the first false summit. Just over 2 hours into the hike, passing another portion of that original hiking group, I had reached 13,000 feet, a good place to rest for a moment, grab a snack and some water, and take a couple pictures
Image #4: Elevation Check 1
Elevation Check 1View Larger Image
. Thirty minutes later, I was at 13,500 feet
Image #5: Elevation Check 2
Elevation Check 2View Larger Image
, and thinking less than a thousand to go! But that last thousand feet of elevation gain was tough! When I left the grassy area and came to the section that was all rocks, the trail seemed to disintegrate, or at best meander off into 10 or more different, narrower paths through the rocky ascent. I quickly found myself carefully climbing rocks instead of casually hiking trails, and I constantly looked around for the correct path. Eventually, I saw the trail through the rocks, which had actually gone around the steepest part of the mountain, and I made my way across the rocks to return to that trail. There were a lot of marmots up there as well!
Image #6: Marmot near the top
Marmot near the topView Larger Image
Surpassing the steepest and most difficult part of the hike, a lone hiker passed me on his way down. He was the first to the top that day, and he let me know that I had about 20 minutes left in my ascent. The remaining amount was less difficult but still challenging due to shortness of breath and burning leg muscles, but I knew I would accomplish the task I had set out to do. I reached the summit at 9:00 AM, only 3 hours and 20 minutes after beginning; I had expected 4 and a half or 5 hours, so I was very pleased with my efforts. At the top, there were 2 more guys that took my picture
Image #7: Summit 1
Summit 1View Larger Image
and headed down shortly after I arrived. I made a phone call from the top – I had excellent reception (Verizon) for voice, texting, and data everywhere en route, except for while in the forest. The only challenges there were the fairly aggressive wind, shaky leg muscles, and general state of fatigue (though excitement of reaching the top cancelled that out).

I stayed at the top for about 20-25 minutes, enjoying the views (neighboring Mount Massive, which lives up to its name, had some snow, but there was none anywhere else that I could see). I had some water and a bite to eat, tossed some rocks from the steepest side of Elbert’s summit, collected a few more rocks as souvenirs, took a couple pictures
Image #8: Summit 2
Summit 2View Larger Image
(where my iphone altitude app showed me at 14,448 feet, though Elbert is reported to be 14,433 feet – I’m not 15 feet tall!)
Image #9: Panorama
PanoramaView Larger Image
and videos, and started my decent. A group of 3 hikers arrived just before I left, and I took their picture as well. I took several videos on the way down (I will try to post them on YouTube soon), and I was surprised (but I guess I shouldn’t have been) to see so many people making their way up. I probably passed 50-60 people between the first false summit and tree line. The youngest were a 10-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl, trekking with their dad. I wonder if they made it? They seemed in good spirits, but, responding to their inquiry about the nearness of the top, I acknowledged that they had a long way to go. I badly wanted to bring my oldest 2 children – ages 9 and 8 respectively – along, but I am certain they would not have made it at the rate I was traveling; I’m not sure they could have done it at all, and definitely not without complaining.

Descending the mountain was much more difficult than I had remembered. Each step had to be carefully made to avoid loose rocks and avoid a tumble. I slipped on occasion, but never fell. Even in the forest, the descent had to be made cautiously to avoid tripping on tree roots or rocks, or to keep balance. I passed another 20 people while descending through the trees. Those folks were going to have a tough time making it to the top by early afternoon. On the way up, the forest flew by, but coming down, it seemed to last forever. I was growing more and more fatigued until a couple runners came charging through on the trail. They were flying down the hillside! How were they not falling? Seeing them motivated me to continue steadily down. When I passed the 2 guys who were at the top when I got there, I also began to hear the faint sound of rushing water, encouraging me that the end was near. I exited the forest into the parking lot just before noon, finishing the descent in 2 hours 15 minutes.

There was a lady investigating the trailhead signage, wondering if she and her family should try to hike Elbert or Massive. I offered my perspective, that Elbert is considered to be easy, and it is the tallest. But I told her that it was my only experience, and any trek with an elevation gain of nearly 5000 feet and a round trip of nearly 10 miles and 6 hours or more is still going to be very difficult. I removed my windbreaker, socks, and shoes and rested in the car while checking my runkeeper iphone app. It said the ascent was 5.35 miles and the descent was 4.57 miles. Obviously, the GPS got confused somewhere on the way up, as the actual one-way trip is closer to the 4.57 mile figure. On the drive away, I parked on the side of US 24 just south of Leadville and snapped one more photo of the prominent peak of Mount Elbert
Image #10: US24
US24View Larger Image
. After meeting up with the family at the Mount Princeton Hot Springs, we got our car back in Salida and then spent the last day of our trip near the Blue Mesa Reservoir, including a 4-mile family hike at Dillon Pinnacles. The 1300-mile drive back was smooth, and each of our family members had a great time in Colorado. But the draw to the mountaintop has not left me, and I look forward to a return visit to Elbert, or Massive, or one of the other 14ers next summer.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

St Louis Arch

While Mimi is at the Goodwill Outlet... Too crowded to ride to the top today.

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Car Repaired... Heading home tomorrow... Great Vacation

Llllllllloooooooonnnnnngggggg drive ahead...

Mount Crested Butte double rainbow

Great town! Lots of fun!

Dillon Pinnacles and the Blue Mesa Reservoir

A scenic 4 mile hike and some relaxing lake time...

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Tip Top of Mt Elbert

Made it to the top! Awesome! Now to get down safely!

... Made it safely down... Great experience... Very challenging, both physically and mentally. I'll have a full trip report later.

Couldn't sleep...

Left Gunnison at 2:40 AM and arrived at Mt. Elbert trailhead at 5:10 AM. Ate some breakfast while waiting for a hint of daylight. Saw one group of hikers head out with flashlights, but I waited for natural light. Starting altitude: 10,078 feet. Clear skies and a temperature of 42... Here we go!

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Gunnison Whitewater Park

Fun tubing and body surfing down a couple sets of rapids... And throwing rocks (how could that be omitted!)

Monday, August 06, 2012

Lake Irwin

A 10,000 foot high mountain lake outside of Crested Butte. Enjoyed a hike around it (1-1/2 miles) and a swim across and back (1 mile). Water temp a crisp 62... Everyone having a great time, despite the car trouble. Thankful for our hostesses, Bel and Juniper. Fabulous!

Mount Aetna

...is beckoning, but not part of the itinerary for this trip. Alas, neither was the car breakdown, tow bill, and replacement fuel pump, which still has not been completed. Many blessings in that whole ordeal. Praise God!

Sunday, August 05, 2012

No services

For 75 miles... We've got 3/4 tank of gas. Somewhere near Limon, Coloradoo

Saturday, August 04, 2012

Cracker barrel

Can't go on a road trip without a stop at cracker barrel... This one in junction city, Kansas

Monday, July 23, 2012

Back to Australia

My sister and her wonderful family are heading home after an 80 day stay in the states... Had a good time!

Mount Elbert, here I come!

In two weeks, Lord willing, for the second time in my life, I'll be scaling Mt. Elbert, the second highest peak (14,433', or some say 14,440') in the lower 49 states, behind California's Mt Whitney (14,497, or some say 14,505'), and the highest parcel of land in Colorado.

I hiked this peak with the Auburn University swim team back in 1995, at age 17, the half-way point of my life, and am quite excited to do it again this time. I hope to pass on some comments and photos en route, but If you're interested, here are a couple shots:




Thursday, July 12, 2012

Johnny daddy movie night

The Pirates!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Psalm 1

Stand for something or fall for anything. "Marriage" = one man and one woman for life

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Papa John's 10 Miler

My runkeeper app just informed me that my 10.20 mile run this morning was not only the farthest I've ever run in one workout, and not only the farthest distance I've run in a week, but also the farthest distance I've covered running in an entire month. Ha!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Commentary on James

I felt like a hoarder after studying James 5, so Mimi and I did a little spring cleaning. Read my full commentary on the Epistle of James here. I'm nearing the completion of my New Testament commentary, with only Hebrews, Revelation, and the synoptic Gospels left to go...

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Live Bait!

I caught the first little one, but Charlie caught the next two, a 12" long one, and a cool zebra fish... Using shrimp as bait...