Finishing the Colorado 14ers

One week before starting my first Hardrock 100 my mind drifted away from the race to a bigger project, one that had been ongoing for nearly 10 years: climbing all the Colorado 14,000ft peaks.

There are 54 ranked Colorado 14ers and an additional 4 commonly accepted peaks. It was one of these, El Diente, that remained as my lone unsummited peak. Last August I was thwarted in my attempt due to horrendous monsoonal weather, but this year I was determined to summit my last unticked peak.

August 2013 near the summit of Mt Wilson, weather did not allow for the traverse to El Diente.

August 2013 near the summit of Mt Wilson, weather did not allow for the traverse to El Diente.

I left at the crack of dawn from the Navajo Lake TH, slowly jogging up the trail to meet up with several friends who had camped in the basin the night before. They got an earlier start, so I had to play catch-up, quickly moving up the trail and then cramponing up the South slope of El Diente. As I scrambled my way up the final slope to the summit of El Diente I saw my friends Ben and Bruce waiting there for me. Id like to say that reaching the summit of my 58th and final CO 14er was a transcendent experience or that I was overjoyed, but I was simply satisfied, another step along my greater journey through the mountains.

On the summit of El Diente, my 58th and final CO 14er with Ben and Bruce. 7/4/14.

On the summit of El Diente, my 58th and final CO 14er with Ben and Bruce. 7/4/14.

Nearly 12 years ago I needed to clear my head so I packed up my car and backpack and hit the trail from Cottonwood campground bound for the upper Cottonwood Lake and eventually Mt Langley in California. After spending a chilly October night at the upper CottonwoodLake and armed with a map and a very small amount of beta, I found my way up OldArmyPass and eventually to the summit of Mt Langley. I found that the high alpine terrain and clear thin air really helped clear my head and put things in perspective.

My first 14er summit, Mt Langley in CA, 10/25/2002

My first 14er summit, Mt Langley in CA, 10/25/2002

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. -John Muir

On that summit I left a singular rose and some parting words for my ailing Grandmother, one of my childhood influences who had introduced me to the outdoors. It was on that summit that I realized where I felt at home. It wasn’t in the bars or on the beach, it was in the mountains, and in particular on the highest summits. I descended from basecamp and found my way back to Lone Pine, CA where I was finally able to put into writing some final words to my grandma Betty. It may not have been the most eloquent writing, but it was exactly what I needed…

Eulogy; Good-bye Grandma :,(

Written October 26th, 2002 by Eric J Lee

Hello, as most of you know, I am Eric Lee and Betty was my Grandmother. To me she was more than just a loving Grandmother. She was a second mother, who watched me and helped me grow up to where I am today. Since I was young Grandma was there helping me along; whether it was pushing me on an air mattress so I could snorkel without the fish biting my feet, babysitting me while my parents were away, or simply accommodating my sister and my picky eating habits at holiday meals. And it was Grandma who made Christmas extra special as a child. Most children have one Christmas and one tree, but she took it upon herself to have Santa visit us twice. What more could a child ask for. She would decorate the house, put up a tree, make a lunch even Kirsten and I liked, just to satisfy the gleam in our eyes, you know, the one all children get on Christmas Day. Betty truly treasured the people around her, to this day a drawing I made 14 years ago about a hike through the trees, rocks, and lava in Tahoe hangs on her kitchen wall. It may not have been artistic or even logical, but she loved it and the story behind it.

As we all grew a little older, and life became harder on Betty, she still persisted with family dinners, our extra special Christmas celebrations, and trips to Hawaii. A place that obviously meant a lot to her, and I can happily say I was able to share its beauty and simplicity. When I reached my teenage years Grandma and I saw a little less of each other than we probably should have. School, sports, friends, and that darn Drivers license got in the way.

Despite all this she took it upon herself to help secure my future by donating to my college fund. In these past few years life became difficult for Betty, and I was away more and more. But when I did return home she found the strength and time to have dinner with our family. No matter how much she complained or how much discomfort she went through you could tell she was longing to spend time with the ones she loved. Right up to the end she stayed strong, both knowing and understanding the inevitable. So with these words I say goodbye to Betty; a Grandmother, a babysitter, Santa Claus, a chef, a mentor, the Easter Bunny, a mother, and a caring soul. Thank you.

Back to the present: July 4th, 2014, standing atop El Diente Peak, my 58th and final Colorado 14er, enjoying a few chocolate bars with friends. We then proceeded across the traverse to Mt Wilson and back to our cars at the Navajo Lake TH. It was a fun and beautiful day in the mountains, and while the 16.5 miles was more than I was supposed to be doing during my taper, finishing this segment of my mountain journey was the perfect way to kick off a week of rest. Live in the present, but dont forget the past; let it drive you, inspire you and push you to be the best person you can be. My Hardrock 100 trip report is forthcoming soon. For now, here is a video compilation from the first time I sumitted every single one of the CO 14er, a journey that afforded me a multitude of unique experiences.

Camping atop Red Mt Pass before the 2014 Hardrock 100, rest and acclimatization.

Camping atop Red Mt Pass before the 2014 Hardrock 100, rest and acclimatization.

Highland Mary Lakes dayhike the week before the 2014 Hardrock 100.

Highland Mary Lakes dayhike the week before the 2014 Hardrock 100.

One last hike/jog before Hardrock, into Ice Lake Basin for some serene peace and solitude.

One last hike/jog before Hardrock, into Ice Lake Basin for some serene peace and solitude.


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