I might post this one later on ESS, but thought I'd share it with you guys first. This was sunrise this morning from the summit of Notch Mountain, with the classic view of Mount of the Holy Cross and Holy Cross Ridge. I headed up there yesterday afternoon, and spent a bone-chilling night in the Notch Mountain shelter with no sleeping bag. I thought I could just bundle up and hunker down, but it proved to be harder to stay warm (or I should say, not cold) than I thought it would be. Even if there'd been no light this morning, I would've been thrilled to see sunrise arrive.
Your dedication is remarkable! I'm sure this picture will be a wonderful memory of the night spent shivering in the shelter. Come on down to Texas, if you ever need to warm up.
Todd -Excellent image that I know you've been after for a loooong time. It looks like you made it just in time before the "cross" melts out for the season.
You ultralight guys really take things to the extreme - leaving a 2 lb. sleeping bag behind!
Your rough night was on top of what? Six+ miles and 3500 feet of elevation gain? Nice work and I'm glad that the light gods were on your side.
Posted by Jack Brauer on July 13, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Sweet shot! Impressive mountain, impressive light! I know exactly what you mean about that chilly hut... I was there in October once, snow on the ground, and it was fricking freezing in that hut. We started a pathetic fire in the fireplace with our trash that lasted for about 5 minutes. Then the next morning I hiked up Holy Cross via the 4 mile ridge, the whole way was boulders covered in six inches of snow. On the way back down to the hut, I got so exhausted I seriously thought I might not make it. I had to lay down and rest every five minutes. It was the most exhausted I've ever been in the mountains, and we spent an unplanned second night in the hut because I was too worn out to make it back down to the trailhead! Good times.
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 13, 2006 at 12:35 PM
Thanks Jack, I feel much better! BTW, your recent San Juans work is the stuff of legends.
Posted by Chris Ebright on July 13, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Nice Shot Todd! Holy Cross is such a photogenic mountain! i too have wanted to get up there for a sunrise, but I think I will leave it for you crazy people who enjoy self-torture!
Posted by Justin King on July 14, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Beautiful. I love the moon back there too!
Posted by Adam Schallau on July 14, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Beautiful scene Todd, thanks for sharing. I guess when it's as cold as you described you don't have to worry about any unexpected surprises on the trail from other hikers.
I am suprised nobody has called you Stupid yet! So I will 'Stupid' ! A night in the mountains no sleeping bag? Did you forget where you live? Mountains not the beach here TC! I have an idea for you when you dont want to take a sleeping bag next time, go buy a box or two of the pocket warmers and stick-um all over your body!
Discussion
16 repliesGuy
The temps down here today oughta help you warm up.
Very nice!
You ultralight guys really take things to the extreme - leaving a 2 lb. sleeping bag behind!
Your rough night was on top of what? Six+ miles and 3500 feet of elevation gain? Nice work and I'm glad that the light gods were on your side.
Dave Showalter
RichieV