I forgot to write about it here, but last week I attempted to climb Mt. Evans from Guanella Pass. I went with 4 friends, two of whom were first time 14er hikers.
The route was brutal, especially willows. We could not find a good way to pass around them, and those of us who didn’t have hiking boots got very muddy and wet, as we were practically walking through a swamp. The willows also made 3 of us bleed and all of us suffering from scratches.
When we were about 200 feet from the summit, we were chased off the mountain by a storm. I felt my own hair standing from the static electricity in the air and could see my friend’s hair standing as well. I’ve never felt similarly uncertain, and looming doom before.
I am going again later this month. This time, we will leave earlier (to avoid the storm) and take shorter route.
Click here for more pictures as well as a video of what it’s like to get lost while walking through the willows.
