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The Summit (pg. 1) |
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by Jerry Cates |
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The trek up the Home-Stretch was not nearly as bad as it looked. Though it was constructed of smooth rock, there were plenty of cracks and crevices to get toe-and-hand-holds in. I stayed clear of the "slide" on the right side of the trail, where the rock had fewer such crevices in it, but some hikers went right up the slide without any hitches. While going up, I kept an eye on the ledge at the very top of the Home-Stretch. Once there, I had to pull myself up, sort of like at the top of the Trough couloir, but as soon as this was done, I was on the summit... Note the photos below. Both have a story to tell...
Since leaving the Ledges, I hiked most of the way within 10-20 yards of a young man (the fellow in the photo on the left, above) who was carrying a large, heavy backpack. I would pass him up at one point, only to have him pass me at another, exchanging polite salutations each time. We happened to rest together at the base of the Home-Stretch, and I asked where he was from. He replied that he was living in the Dallas, Texas area. He had not realized he could leave his backpack at the Boulderfield. As we continued on, and the going got tougher, I suggested he might ditch the pack somewhere along the trail, to pick it up on the way back. It seemed doubtful that anybody would molest it, but he was reluctant to part with it. I believe he finally did set the backpack aside, at some point up the Home-Stretch, but he may have taken it all the way to the summit. Anyway, the photo above shows him on the summit, resting on a boulder overlooking the south slope. The lake in the background is Sandbeach Lake. A well-known trail leads from Allens Park to Sandbeach Lake. One day I'd like to hike that trail and press onward in the Wild Basin to the valley between Longs and Pagoda... Immediately after getting to the top, I met several hikers who were celebrating their successful arrival at the summit. They had broken out a couple of six-packs of Coors beer and generously offered me one. Although thirsty, I politely declined the beer and took a big swig of water instead. My mind was still clear as a bell, and I wanted it to stay that way. After all, I was only halfway done, and the trek back is at least as treacherous as the way up. If the weather turns nasty, it will be even worse. Imagine someone bringing beer to the top of Longs Peak? Alcohol at this altitude can be deadly. Beer is not the strangest stuff that has been lugged up by hikers, though. In 1946 hikers found a large pile of horse manure on the summit. No horses were seen (of course)... It sounds more like an Aggie prank. One member of the group with the beer had brought along a purple cape (he's the guy in the photo, above, on the right). He removed his shirt, exposing a bare chest, and doffed his hiking trousers to expose a pair of metallic gold tights... He paraded around the top of the mountain for a few minutes, furling and unfurling his cape and making quite a spectacle of himself. His antics drew smiles from most, snickers from others, and frowns from a few... Next: The Summit, pg. 2.... Longs Peak Menu ... Bugsinthenews ... Books About Longs Peak |
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