Andrew and I climbed Mount Harvard on my 31st birthday, July 2, 2006.
This was a hard one, probably becuase it was the first of the year. But we had already missed a date with Quandary earlier on, so it had to be done. I wasn't sure why I agreed to climb a mountain on my birthday, but after consideration it seemed fitting -- and I almost felt inclined to make it a goal to climb one on every birthday from now on--but I didn't go so far as to agree with myself for that (yet anyway).
So Mount Harvard is east of Buena Vista, which is approximately a 3 hour drive from Denver. After getting into town, you take some back roads up to a trailhead and Mount Harvard (and Columbia) are about 11-14 miles down (or should I say UP) that trail. The decision to backpack and camp about 3-4 miles in was a good one, because it allowed us to get a jump start on the hike for the next morning.
The trail up to treeline was quite pleasant, through evergreen forest. The trail was soft from pine needles and the smell of pine was in the air. After arriving at a lovely campsite, with a great view of a stream and some cliffs (which lit up beautifully in the sunset-but not before a rainstorm) we spent some time in the tent, due to the rainstorm. Dreading the idea of spending the rest of the night in the tent, we twiddled our thumbs and tried not to think about how hungry we were. Fortunately, the rain subsided and we ended up having a lovely couscous dinner with canned chicken. Doesn't sound that great, but for a dinner 3 miles from any stove or oven---it was really good.
The next morning we were on the trail by about 6:30. It was a pleasant meander up until about 12,500 feet where we encountered the first rock tallus. We were unsure of how much further it was, and fortunately a guy with a GPS showed up and pointing east said, ".42 miles that way!". That's all? Wow, I thought, I might be pleasantly surprised. Not.
The next 3 hours or so were spent taking slow, slow steps as we pushed our way up the steep incline, climbing over rocks here and there and continually stepping upward. This trail didn't have the nice lazy switchbacks that you encounter on Greys, no...this was more of a direct approach. I seriously considered calling the numerous points at which I stopped 'it' but I couldn't help but want that summit on my birthday. What a great accomplishment for an old lady it would be!
About 20 feet from the top, we scrambled and climbed about on the rocks until finally we reached that pinnacle at which the other summiters are enjoying having met their goal. It's kinda like a club at the top...everyone is very friendly--more than willing to take photos of each other against various backgrounds of sky, cloud, rock and other peaks in the distance. Once at the top, you really forget the pain you felt while climbing and bask in the knowledge of having accomplished something that not everyone can do, much less tries to do.
I think the most interesting thing about being on top of the 14ers is knowing that as you peer around your surroundings at the other summits in view across the miles, that those other fourteen thousand foot peeks have people just like you on them, peering over in your direction, feeling as accomplished as you do.
Finally the inevitable comes. Down really isn't the lesser of two evils, although you would expect for it to be. In fact, it gets quite difficult to steady your self on the way down with the medical condition I like to call 'jelly legs'. Trekking poles are a must for the descent.
Again, after another 2 hours or so, we arrived back at camp at which we promptly crawled in the tent and napped for about 2 hours.
Harvard was a tough one...with over 4600 feet in elevation gain over 14 miles...it's no wonder. What makes it worth it? Meeting a challenge head on and overcoming the little voices in your head telling you the whole way that you don't need to do this and that you can stop any time...the view is pretty nice too.