7/13/01 After a BBQ lunch and resupply in Breckenridge, I headed out on a rainy evening from
the Gold Hill Trailhead to camp on Miners Creek. 7/14/01 Following the Colorado Trail, I
hiked south along the Tenmile Range. Over Peaks 6 and 9 (where I saw hard-up skiers and
hard-core snowboarders on snowfields, and old hiking men on cell phones with their shopping
wives),
and down to Crystal Creek to camp. 7/15/01 Got up early but didn't feel well. Hadn't slept
much the night before and breakfast did not agree with me. I had big plans for the day--hoped
to make it to Quandary Peak. Huffed a heavy pack up and over Crystal Peak (13,851') and was
heading on and up Pacific Peak (13,950') while I watched the ranges to the west dissappear
under a black curtain of clouds that was fast approaching. 20 minutes shy of the summit I
reluctantly retreated. Good thing I did! Before 10 am and before I was below 13,000' the
storm was upon me: horizontal snow! It was 2 more miles until I would reach tree line down
an unfamiliar valley with no trail. It was a swampy mess! My poncho was flapping all around
me and I was getting cold. As I crossed a shallow stream
between two lakes, I noticed fish swimming everywhere. My hunter instincts seized me and I ran
down a 14" cutthroat. In mid stride I grasped its skull between my thumb and forefinger to
squish its brain. I felt something streaming down my leg and looked down to see fish eggs
everywhere! I'd just killed a spawning trout! Damn! I carried the fish with me, not daring
to stop in the blizzard to put it in my pack. Carrying the wet fish out in the driving snow
quickly numbed my hands so I could no longer hold on to it. I couldn't stop--I had to get out
of the storm. I dropped the fish and felt terrible. Continuing on I cliffed
out several times as the valley stepped down. Finally I found a trail leading into the trees,
which luckily led to a roughly restored miner's cabin. Huddled inside, I changed into warm, dry
clothes and snacked. By noon the sun was out again. I was worked! I hiked 2 more miles to
the trail head where I got a ride into Breckenridge with another climber who'd been up on a
different route on Pacific Peak. Had some warm food and spaced out. Hitched a ride
to Fairplay, ordered a pizza and got a hotel. I passed out in bed before I even took
a shower. 7/16/01 Recovery day in Fairplay. Set up camp on Crystal Creek. 7/17/01 Day hike
to investigate the fish I'd seen in the blizzard! 7/18/01 A long and exciting day of ridge
walking! Went with a light day pack and covered 11 miles over 5 peaks over 13,600 and Quandary
Peak (14,265'). Hitched a ride back to base camp and moved up to Hoosier Pass. 7/19/01 Rest
day. Moved camp to Dolly Varden Gulch outside of Alma at the foot of Mount Bross. 7/20/01
Another long, exciting day of ridge walking with a light pack! I covered 17 miles, 4
fourteeners (Bross, Lincoln, Cameron, and Democrat), as well as 4 other peaks over 13,600'.
The only stretch of ridgeline I did not make in the Tenmile Range is between Fletcher Mountain
and Wheeler Peak. I'll have to go back with a rope!
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