2 More Finish off July

Well my dad and I view climbing a little differently. He has certainly done his share of 14ers, but when it comes to 4wheeling up as far as you can go (sometimes as high as 13,500 or more) then "walking" to the top and counting is as a "climb", is where we don't see eye to eye. So this next mountain is a guilty one for me. Mt Antero, beautiful, powerful, towering over southern Buena Vista, standing in a row of many 14ers including the Collegiates and farther north Colorado's highest, Mt Elbert. Back to Antero, there just happens to be a 4wheel road that climbs nearly to the top. I humor my dad and drive up, and up and WAY up. I finally stop at around 13,000 + or - a few and say "this is where we start". My dad argued that the road still continued up, but I declined his request. He says he has a hard time walking up a perfectly good road that you could drive up. My son Shawn and I just shook our heads and started up.

After reaching the top alone, I took a few minutes to eat and drink something and take in the great views. That did not last long because a huge ominous BLACK cloud was beginning to talk, more like YELL, that it was getting closer. Time to head down, and quickly. On a little ridge that I crossed on the way up I met up with Shawn again and we continued down together. He was just hanging out and enjoying the view waiting for me.

So I am not quite convinced that I am counting this one.....

July 16, 2005 - Mt Antero 14,269

Next was Mt Sherman. They say that this is the best "1st time" 14er to do, after finishing is I tend to agree. It is a very straight forward climb. I think that my efforts are actually paying off because I was able to reach the summit without stopping once to rest or catch my breath, I feel this is a big step forward even though it was an easier mountain. If no one else does, I will pat my self on the back. :)

July 30, 2005 - Mt Sherman - 14,-036


Well my goal was to climb 4 and now I have done 6.25 (7 according to my dads count). I feel good at passing my original figure.