hiking the peaks

Yesterday, Feb. 21, also MLK day, My friends Jeff and Matt and I decided to ascend the peaks. We had hiked Humphreys Peak back in November with great success, though also feeling severely beat. Jeff and Matt had tried for Agassiz a few weeks ago, but because of low visual they only made it to the false summit. After learning this, they wanted to try again.

Agassiz has an indigenous plant growing on it that is vulnerable to foot traffic during the summer months. One might incur a $500 fine for tromping around on the little guys. but during winter months with the snow, hikers are free to reach the summit of Agassiz and view the Arizona landscape in its full majesty.

So we woke ourselves up at 4 for a high energy breakfast of eggs and banana's and loaded up our gear. We made it to the ski lodge parking lot at about 6:15, and with our strapped on snow shoes (something Jeff and Matt were lacking the trip prior) we climbed the route of the ski lifts.

And it was quite challenging. the steep grades though added a huge amount of elevation lift, and about 2 hours later we were at the top of the lift. we re-situated our gear here, and took the next part of the trail towards Agassiz. my hip by this point was causing me much anxiety, a problem I had on Humphreys trail. Despite the pain we climbed higher and higher through the cinder topped crest. But then my boots were causing problems. Needless to say, I realized I was holding the group back and that I wasn't equipped to go on. My glasses frozen from my breath, gloves chunked with ice and 70 mile-an-hour winds and flurry's beating against me, I headed back down to the top of the lift and the skiers outpost.

There I waited and warmed up, and Jeff and Matt joined me shortly having summited the mountain. It took us only 15 minutes to get back down. They didn't let us use the lift, so instead we slid down on our butts down the ski runs. That was quite fun.

Although I didn't summit, I really enjoyed the trip. There's nothing that can explain or give justice to the awe and beauty of the views and the mountains. It was a great way to spend a morning.