After a successful summit of Gannett Peak, Wyoming's highest point to reach my 47th highpoint, it was time for my yearly 14ers trip I missed out on last summer with our move. All other 14ers trips were always mostly dry, but this year would end up different with a strong monsoonal moisture push that led to daily afternoon storms and morning rain lowering clouds and even fog.

I spent a day of driving and seeing a couple sites along the way that included the Lincoln monument outside Laramie, a trip to REI in Colorado Springs, as well as this Texan getting my Whataburger fix in before finding a rest area to sleep in the truck.

The hike in from the lower South Colony Lakes was uneventful with great views and great campsite near the Needle Sign Split to Broken Hand Pass. Afternoon thunderstorms kept me in the tent for most of the afternoon but left me enough time to cook dinner and go to sleep early.

Humboldt Peak was first up the next morning with an easy going climb to the summit. Great views with mainly clear skies with the rest of the day to relax taking cover in the tent once again and listening to the overly loud group of 13 across the way that had a big fire going in a fire ban area but more to come.

An earlier start for the Crestones came the next morning by 1AM in order to beat the worsening weather forecast. Crestone Peak was reached shortly after sunrise and due to being solo and a damp rock, I elected to go all the way back to Broken Hand Pass to do the Needle instead of the traverse unfortunately. All went well and got back to camp before the peaks clouded up and storms in the distance started up before noon. The group mentioned before had left camp with the fire still smoldering......I put it out with a couple trips to the stream but didn't leave me happy after a successful day thus far. The hike out the next morning came with a great sunrise and even a bear surprise along the jeep trail back to the upper trailhead.

A rest day and to the Willow Lake Trailhead came next before a wet and long slog to camp as it was non-stop much of the day. Luckily, the next morning saw a bit of a break even though the low clouds and fog held in. I started early and was off the Challenger scree slope before the rain came again. However, I did not leave unscaved as I narrowly missed a falling rock that had me lose my footing and slamming into the ground shoulder first. I am still sore a few days later but thankful that is all it was, wishing I had a rock warning from those above that started it to go. Anyways, I arrived back at the trailhead by lunch time with a nice view of some of the peaks I did the past few days from the road.

And of course, my 14ers trips back home always end with a trip through Leadville for a good dinner and beverage at the ole Silver Dollar Salloon....thanks to the blessings and those met along the way. Until next year, God Bless!