Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Big Rock Candy Mountain.

This was our third attempt to reach the summit.
Gladstone Peak is part of the San Miguel Mountains.

It  is one of those 13ers that most people have never heard of, and in fact, it is rarely climbed. It is a long ridge that divides Cottonwood Canyon (that leads to Cottonwood Pass) and South Cottonwood Canyon (home of Cottonwood Lake and Mineral Basin), with a high point at 13,209 feet.






 Our group included Joan, Marty and JJ, Tara, KC and Beau and myself.








On our way up to the lower mine we passed the remnants of the dry stone arch that I built the previous day.  By the time we hiked up it had already been washed down.
 Back side of the restored lower mine cabin



Another Miners shack.












Bob Playtex,Dirt surfing wipe out on Gladstone mine tailings Beau is right behind him.


going vertical.






  Even the EASIEST route on this peak is said to be a class 4!




Beau and KC Hard core parkour both going up Gladstone and going down. 


If you've seen people doing crazy jumps over railings and through cities, these trained experts are probably practicing either parkour, or Free running. Parkour is a form of movement that stresses efficiency and speed, requiring you to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Free Running is similar, but it also involves aesthetic movements such as flips, spins and many other forms of flair.

the boys did take a break every now and then so we could all regroup, snack and hydrate.

We all made to the top of Gladstone and we were rewarded with a great view and a spectacular sighting of a large heard of more then 50 elk on the ridge across from us.




 I'm sure there are some great photos of this but Tara's pictures aren't up on line yet.  but I'll add them when I can.

Tara has a great eye for the camera lens.



that's Yogacharya JJ behind me.
 As a newbe yogi, i can do both the tree and the log. "Karma yet to come!"

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