Aspen Does not Stop!!

Photos of This Day and More

The last time I checked here at the blogger terminal I had given a brief description of hiking Elk Camp (one of the peaks of the Snowmass ski mountain - 11,300 Ft.) That day was amazing and excruciating to say the very least. You can find pictures of it on my FB page, here. The great thing about this hike is that my bro's condo is about a 20 minute walk to the base of the climb. We actually took the lift up a little ways because starting from the very bottom was going to take all day, we started around 130pm and we had to book it up to the top. so we rode the gondola/ Lift up and started from there. The hike took right around 2.5 hrs, that is about a hour and 45 up and about 45 mins to get down (we had to book it to catch the last lift down or we would have had to hike like 1500 ft down.) After that I did not feel like doing to much more that day other than going back out to aspen Highlands to get  a A+ cal-zone from the Bro's restaurant. That was about it other than some TV and bed.

As you can see, you really cant beat the view of the Maroon Bells a 14,000 that I will hike partially come early Friday morning. Friday morning my two brother (John and Bill) will attempt a summit, their first. There is some technical ideas going up that will be a challenge for them, like a chimney to climb and some other steeper rocks. 

Yesterday was a bit more laid back than my first 11.300 ft day. Yes, that is my highest assent on foot, but it is not over yet. I am not aspiring to do Maroon Bells, but I am going to try and assen another 14,000 ft mountain that is a bit easier next week. I am just building up to going higher. Baby Steps for now!! My legs are so soar right now you don't know. Another thing about climbing is that it is difficult. You heart rate is so spiked at lactic threshold you have to fight going over it to much. This requires that you set a variable pace and to slow down to slow your heart rate when needed. Believe me, you get a feeling for it. There are times when you are hitting a wall where you can hear your heart beat big beats. Thump! Thump! Thump! And yes, of course you feel it. So it is a incredible experience once you make it to the summit!!!   I will do a hike friday and then another soon after and another after that. Will keep you informed!!! I hope!

So yesterday I took off with John to the city of Aspen. Let me tell you that Aspen is a hustling and bustling little place of activity. There are cars all over the place, parking  is a issue. Then there are people walking and riding bicycles ever where. The real trick when driving around is that the bikes and pedestrians have the right away at all times. The people dont even look before crossing the street, they just dart out into the street car or no car. so you have to be watching every second. It is so bizarre. Then there are nice shops and places to eat, it is a typical tourist trap  of shopping. The most magnificent thing about the city is the view and nice people all around town! I do plan to park my car outside of town, ride in and ride around. That will be another blog day in the future.

Here you can see John and Pete (my Step-Mother's Dog). After we spent a good part of the afternoon in town we went back up to the condo and chilled out!! Fun Stuff!! Till another day!