Epic, Serious Situation in Crestone Group

Mark and Homie had an epic trip in the Crestones last night. I'm writing up a report but not sure how much I can make public. Suffice to say that 14ers are significant mountains even in good weather, but doing them in the dark, in a snowstorm, without a rope, while super tired and sleep deprived... This is not some glorified ultra-running deal, this serious, serious business...

I cannot express how frustrating it was for me not to be up there with my best friends. I'm a climber. I could have contributed there. I could have made a positive difference. Instead I worried like a mother hen, while sitting comfortably at the trailhead. Not being able to help at the time of ultimate need is...painful... I know it is silly, but I feel I let them both down.

The quest could have easily ended last night, but it didn't. Not on Mark's watch. They made it out by 1 a.m. and finally Homie slept solidly. His powers of recuperation are extraordinary, though, and I got a report that he ate heartily before blasting Culebra in 2:54, car-to-car. Oh, he also had to drive himself in there because of bureaucracy of the ranch down there. He's on the Little Bear-Blanca traverse now, having never done it. Once again, I should be there him and I'm not. Homie is superman in my mind, but even superman needs a companion in times like that. If the weather goes bad on him on that traverse just having a good friend with you can make all the difference...

In my mind this is not about the record any more. It's about commitment to a nearly impossible task. It's about finishing while not broken, mentally, physically, or emotionally. If anyone can spare the time to go hike with him, you'd be a hero, especially in the Elks. The traverse he is planning there is nothing short of ridiculous. You can even meet him partways through the traverse, as just doing that one day would be a lifetime achievement for most of us. 

More details on the Crestone trip later tonight.