The Phillips Family

August was a busy month for us, with my family in town, a trip to Texas to see Annie's family, and the Pikes Peak race. Our last busy weekend of the month was well worth it. I joined a group of friends from church in a fundraiser for the Wilderness Ministry Institute called Project 54. The goal is to have a team summit all 54 Colorado 14ers on a single day. Our group was tasked to climbed South Maroon Peak, one of the Maroon Bells (along with North Maroon Peak), some of the most photographed and iconic mountains in Colorado. These are serious mountains and were by far the most technically difficult 14ers that I've ever climbed. They garnered the nickname “The Deadly Bells” in 1965 when eight climbers died in five different accidents. A sign near the trailhead warns of “downsloping, loose, rotten and unstable” rock that “kills without warning.” Something my mother would've loved to know.

Since we were going to be climbing South Maroon, we figured we would climb North Maroon, as well, and for those that wanted, Pyramid Peak across the valley on Sunday. I felt bad leaving the Annies at home for the weekend, so the Sorensen's graciously allowed them to stay with at their house in Vail with them. More on their weekend a little further down.

After driving together to Vail, I continued onto Aspen and met up with the six other people of the team. Upon arrival at the trailhead and camp site, we saw numerous signs like this posted:

Ignorant of the exact “incident/encounter” at the time, we did our best to keep our food away from the tents and take whatever other precautions needed. After the weekend, I come back to these two stories, which took place in the exact same campground the weekend before. Evidently it was tracked and killed the next day. It was a good reminder that, even though I've never seen a bear in the wilderness, they are there.

Front Range man fights off bear mauling him near Aspen

Bear attacks sleeping climber near Maroon Bells

The next morning came awfully quick and we were on the trail up South Maroon. The trail was steep but the climb was incredible. We encountered a few technical areas of steeper rock, but the summit was not too difficult. The surrounding valleys were so green that they looked like manicured lawns from our vantage point. The best part of the climb was the traverse between the two mountains. There are parts that were low class 5, which typically means roped protection is required, but the climbing moves were within our ability as we moved slowly and carefully up or around each cliff or obstacle. From a distance the mountains look impossible with their steep faces of loose rock, but as we came to each difficulty, a way would become apparent and we kept moving. The longest part of the day was the trip down, where we descended the unfamiliar North Maroon trail, with its own sections of class 4 cliffs, which we had to downclimb (more difficult). Fortunately the rain held off for the day and we were moving down on dry rock. Overall it was a memorable day of climbing with a great group of friends.

Steep climb to the ridge

Looking back up the valley towards Aspen and the rising sun

The sun comes over the Pyramid Ridge

On the ridge

Our first view of South Maroon Peak

Complex and interesting terrain

People in a vertical sea of rock

Lots of traverses…

… and ledges…

… and more ledges…

On the summit with our next destination in the background

North Maroon in the clouds

Beginning the traverse

One of the many obstacles to go up and over

One of the more difficult cliffs, class 5 with lots of exposure

My favorite photo of the day, giving you an idea of the exposure

On top of North Maroon

Sitting by the trail to take a break, and up come the experts

The Maroon Bells

Back at the camp site I decided that two big summits was a great accomplishment, and with achy knees, decided to head back to Vail and spend the day with Annie and Jane on Sunday. We joined the Sorensens for church, then had german food in Vail at Pepi's for lunch. Then it was off to Piney River Trail, a beautiful valley with a great view of the Gore Mountains. It was our first time to see a moose in the wild, a large bull moseying through the shallows of the lake. Annie had a large crush immediately. Collectively over the weekend we saw a moose, a few snakes, a porcupine (that ran up and stole a friend's snack bag), marmots, fish, mountain goats, a hawk, and a pika. I still haven't seen a bear, a mountain lion, or, at the top of Annie's list, a beaver (there's still time, mom). After the moose we hiked a few miles in, where Tom and Kristen dropped some flies in the water, and Annie tried her hand at it, as well.

While I was gone on Saturday, Annie and Jane enjoyed the hospitality of the Sorensens and spent all day cooking with Kristen. They made handmade ravioli with three types of filling (wild mushroom, yam, and spicy pork) and three different sauces (a red sauce, romesco, and a sage-butter sauce). For desert they made a peach tart with quark cheese and homemade dough. Unfortunately I was not around for the feast, but I did get a few leftovers. A big thanks to Tom and Kristen for the hospitality (especially that hot shower Saturday night) and for the wonderful food and scenery.

Our sweet girl

The closest thing to a beaver so far, it's entrance hole