Ouch.
13 miles round trip, up and down 3,710 feet - well above the tree line, to a spectacular view on two sides of Long's Peak. We didn't make it to the summit this time. i got spooked with my pack and the narrow conditions, and extra weight in my pack caused my knees to hurt. We were within 1000 vertical feet of the summit, but I didn't feel like I could get to the peak and back to the car without being totally fatigued. it was horribly disappointing, as I really wanted to get up there. I'm tired as all get-out tonight, but it was a terrific hike.
Off to Boston tomorrow.
Still... that's pretty impressive. I'm proud of you for making it so far! Did the altitude get to you at all? Where are the pictures?!?!
The altitude did cause some issues. I was huffing and puffing from the first half-mile in. It put some doubt in my mind about it all. I didn't feel winded really though. Since I was in Denver since Monday and did some cardio work during the week, maybe that cut the effect.
I think what wore me out the most was the pack putting extra stress on my knees. It was an extra 20 lbs. I weighed myself at the house after the climb with the pack, but without the 6 liters of water I drank, and total weight was 240 lbs. Body weight alone was 217 without the boots and the pack.
Photos are posted.