[at-l] And now for some hiking pics

[s.landis at comcast.net (Steve Landis)]

That reminds me... "Show us your Nature Valley and you and three friends 
or family members could win a trip to the Grand Canyon."

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/grandcanyon/photo_contest.html

Steve

Paul Magnanti wrote:
> Numero One:
> 
> A full moon hike of Longs Peak. This 14er is almost
> always crowded as it is in Rocky Mountain National
> Park. Do it starting at midnight during a full moon,
> though, and there is no one! Woo hoo! 
> 
> Simply awesome. Hiking under the stars, above
> treeline, with a full moon? Cool! Made for some
> interesting navigation challenges near the end..but oh
> so worth it. Seeing the sunrise over the plainsw with
> alpenglow. Gotta love it. Packed in a thermos and some
> coffee cake for everyone. A little breakfast at
> 14300'. :) Had the summit to ourselves for well over
> an hour.
> That NEVER happens on Longs Peak in July! What a
> memorable night!
> 
> Made it back down...have been up for 30+ hours. Was a
> bit tired! :)
> 
> Pics: http://gallery.backcountry.net/co05?&page=29
> 
> Numero Due:
> 
> A hike I have been wanting to do for a while is the
> Maroon Bells loop. This class loop goes over 4
> mountain passes, is 26 miles and almost 8k elev gain.
> Normally a 3 day backpacking loop, I wanted to do it
> as a dayhike. :)
> 
> There were essentially 5 groups of us. 2 groups doing
> the classic loop of 26 miles. 1 group doing "bonus
> mileage" of 4 passes, 30 miles and ~10k elev gain
> (decided have to see an alpine lake!), a climbing
> group and a relaxer group.  We all started at
> different times and ended at different times as well. 
> 
> The scenery was by far the best I have ever seen in
> Colorado! The wildflowers were unbelievable.
> 
> Naturally my camera died a mere 1/2 hr into the trip.
> :(  Waaah! Luckily my friends sent me some pics.
> 
> 
> Anyway, it was a most awesome day. Some of the
> backpackers were a bit astounded when a few of us said
> we were doing this loop in a day. Suspect they thought
> we were crazy. They are probably correct. :D  
> 
> In any case, one of my favorite hikes I have ever
> done. Want to do it again! Was just simply awesome.
> 
> Pics at: 
> http://gallery.backcountry.net/maroonbells05
> 
> 
> Off to Target today to get a new camera... I miss
> taking pictures! :)