Wheeler Peak

Ok, this isn't exactly being posted in a timely manner but I was thinking about all the activities we're going to try and squeeze into summer 2008. Dillon's got at least 2 weeks of camp, I'll probably join him on one of those, Shanna's got her 20 year reunion (sorry to date you - you still look great), various trips to Six Flags using the passes we got with Christmas money, and a family trip to New Mexico with all of Shanna's family. I was hoping to make another trip up Wheeler Peak while we were there. Some of you know that I made the summit of Wheeler (tallest in NM) with several buddies from church last summer. So, here's some shots of our adventure. Thanks to Tate, Kevin and Aaron for being dumb enough to let me talk you into this. Hope we've got more adventures in our future.

Left to right: Kevin Welch, Tate Tefertiller, Aaron Green.

Our trip was June 2007 but we still got to play in the snow every now and then. It's always a treat for us flat landers to see snow.

Everyone did pretty good on the uphill part. It was easy to keep your mind off the altitude by taking in the spectacular views. We even got to see some of the locals.

Getting closer.... If you look behind me in the picture on the left you will see two peaks. Wheeler is actually the peak on the right (I know, it looks lower because of the angle). But it was a little disheartening to have to go up Mt. Walter (the peak on the left - 13,141 feet) and then down in order to go up to the summit of Wheeler (13,161 feet).

But we finally made it to the top and had a little break. Aaron had actually brough leftover pizza from the night before. My lunch was a powerbar and trailmix. Tate had cell service so some of us made calls home.

I think the overall opinion was the downhill was harder on the legs than the uphill. We had opted to take the longer way up to the summit through the Bull of the Woods pasture. Due to the time and condition of our legs we voted to take the Williams Lake route down. Straight down. That's right, straight down the side of Wheeler Peak to Williams Lake. Aaron did mange to find an express lane. That's him sliding down the snow patch on his backpack. Vol fans everywhere should be proud. Williams Lake is on the right.

Going down the Williams Lake route actually puts you at the Phoenix Grill on the back side of the Taos Ski Area. I had to get a picture of the espresso stand since Tate, Kevin and I had sat out on that patio with our wives during our ski trip back in February '07. It was a little strange to be walking the same path we'd skied just a few months earlier.

Taking the Williams Lake route down did get us off the mountain faster but it didn't take us back to our car. We actually ended up seeing a lot more of the Taos ski area and real estate on our extended hike back to the parking lot. I guess I underestimated the distance. Eventually we made it back to the car and then the cabin for a little rest and a shower. That night we headed into Red River for a celebratory dinner. All in all, great day and great trip. Thanks again guys.