9.16.2007

Mountain Hard

The 7th grade has asked me to accompany them up Mount Sopris this coming week. Sopris is a big mother of a mountain that looms over Carbondale. Sorta like Lonely Mountain and Lake Town, minus the lake. Ripped out of an Elmore painting, Sopris tops out at 12,965 feet. But more important than total height, is relative rise. Sopris climbs 6,250 ft above the valley floor in only 2.5 miles; that's some serious stair-climbing action.

And yeah, I have a crush on this mountain. Something about Sopris is captivating.

When I go on hikes, I can't help but translate the environs to fantasy settings. As in, *huff* Dude, if there were orcs here, *huff* we'd all be toast. *huff* Not terribly sophisticated, but with 50 lbs. on your back, the idea of outrunning violent humanoids is a stretch.

(I'm such a geek. Especially when you consider that both the "dude" and the "speaker" are one and the same.)

Heather and I went up just before the start of school to avoid the snow. So far it's only frosted, but the last 2 years Sopris got its first snowfall on this coming weekend.

Pack your winter sleeping bags, kids, we're going in.

//H

Edit: Sopris has snow.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're a brave man! Climbing a mountain is one thing, but dealing with seventh graders.... ;)

Harley said...

*laugh* The peril!

//H

Steinkel said...

Nice view and landscape. That is awesome indeed. Beautiful place to live in. Living in the south of Spain (almost a desert, so near from Africa), I'm not used to this type of snowy mountains.

Take care Harley.

Seth D said...

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