A group from Church invited us to hike Mt Massive. Oh, and it is massive. This mountain is the 2nd tallest in Colorado, and the 3rd tallest in the lower 48 (14,430 by our altimeter reading). The above picture is us at the tree line. Past this elevation trees cannot grow. Any place where conditions are too extreme for trees should be a sign that humans (and dogs) should not be there as well.Everyone in the group agreed that the toughest part of this trek was the length of the trail, nearly 14 miles round trip, and as you got closer to the top, the trail got exponiently harder. Oxygen was in short supply when you needed it the most (40% less oxygen than at sea level). At just under half the height of Everest, I had to stop about every ten steps to keep from passing out. Chancho kept looking back at me as if to say, "Come on, you can do it!" I now have a taste for just how insane Everest must be.
Chancho had his own doggie backpack and shoes, which he wore out by the time we reached the summit. He took on most boulders on his own like a billy goat. Personally, I don't think he cared for the windy, steep summit, as he was thrilled when we began heading back.
The experience was more challenging than I could have imagined. You left this place with a sense of accomplishment and respect for the mountain.
