Before the First Snow

Earlier this week, before the first big snow in the high country. From the slopes of Mt Columbia (my 30th 14er!) to the right is Mt Yale and to the left is Mt Princeton…well it is covered by what looks like a light snow cloud.

When I got back to my car, the engine light indicated issues and it was working at reduced power. I drove back to Boulder, barely doing 40-50 mph on uphill sections and took it to the dealership, thinking that there is something wrong with the engine. After inspecting the car they discovered that electric wire to 3rd cylinder was chewed by the rodent! Adding insult to the injury, after they fixed the the wires and I got car back, I heard some fan noise in the air conditioning filter area. After looking at it, I discovered that half of the filter was chewed up and there was some rodent poop on top of it. The Fng thing somehow got into the ventilation system! I replaced it with a new filter and ran the engine for while, hoping that it is gone… the next morning more poop. So then I started spraying it with disinfecting Lysol, multiple times… it is second day now without any poop… hopefully it decided to leave the car and make Boulder its new home…

Mt Yale

It was very hazy morning when I climbed up to Huron Peak in early September 2021. Mt Yale to the left, and I think middle one is Princeton and way far back on the right is Antero, but might be mistaken on those.

Part of my art collection of Colorado 14er from another 14er. Hope you enjoy it.

Mount Yale

On the 3rd day of this week 14ers climbing spree I decided to climb Mount Yale. While at 2AM it was around 45F at trailhead and no wind I decided to wear some tights to keep legs warm at the summit. Good choice, it was cold and windy at the top and I try to spend time to enjoy the summit (how often do you get there?), especially when you get there way before sunrise.

The hike to Yale is pretty straight forward. Very good trail all the way to the last climb, which is all large boulder traverse, it was fun part in complete darkness, I had to turn my headlight all the way up to spot the cairns…and notice to the side drops of darkness… not where you go, haha

My 22nd 14er overall and was fifth this week. 30 something to go 😎

On the first photo you can see Buena Vista down in the valley. On the second one I’m looking at Mount Harvard and Columbia. So close yet far away!

Btw, if you do this one, highly recommend to stop at the Cottonwood Hotsprings Spa..get a day pass and soak your mussels and joints in nice 106F temps pool.