Arrow Peak 24 July 2014

     Despite a weather forecast with a 70% chance of rain, The pro from Dover and I jogged into Vestal Basin on Thursday and scrambled up Arrow Peak. Long approaches to aesthetic peaks in a wild setting... it just doesn't get much better for me.
     We kept seeing gray clouds in the distance, and heard some very distant thunder, but the worst we got was a light sprinkle while cruising down the Colorado trail towards the Animas on the way out. The Marmot God that lives on the summit of Arrow must have been pleased with us.

Summits

The ridge to Deadwood mountain

All smiles on the summit of Deadwood

American Basin with wildflowers galore

Summit of Handies Peak 14,048 feet

From American-Grouse saddle. Photo by Rosie Dog

Scot, cooling off on the descent

     The weather was favorable on my days off the last two weeks, so my dad and I managed to get up a couple of peaks. We hiked Deadwood mountain in the La Platas last week, and then  Wednesday we braved the crowd to the summit of Handies peak. A couple of beautiful days in the mountains with the toughest guy around.

Best week of the year

     Well, it's here. Momentarily I'll be packing up the truck and heading North to Silverton so I can relax for a few days before the big run. I had hoped for one more foray onto the course last week, but time constraints kept me a bit closer to home. That's alright, because Jamil's videos did an awesome job of showing course conditions, so I feel that everyone is well informed on that front.
     I'm very excited for this years run. Not only because of the high level talent, which is inspiring, but also there is energy to the whole experience that is so positive. It is very easy for me to be distracted by all the sorrow in the world. Something, maybe all the self-imposed suffering, makes me notice and appreciate all the positive emotions that surround Hardrock.  Whether I'm fast, slow, or completely destroyed, I'm sure I'll learn something this year!
     Well, it's time to shut down the computer, turn off the phone, and go to my happy place. A happy Hardrock weekend to all.