Longs Peak

From the time my family moved to Loveland, Colorado in 1969 I have always enjoyed the beauty of Longs Peak. To look at a snow covered Longs on a brisk winter morning is something you could never grow tired of. Watching Longs Peak from a distance only makes you wonder what it would be like to stand atop it and check out that view.

It's hard to imagine that 33 years passed by before I surveyed the view from the top. As a Boy Scout my troop had a climb planned but I came down with the flu a couple of days before the trip. Many more years passed before my friend and co-worker Larry Warren mentioned that he was going up again (Larry has climbed Longs Peak 10 times). I told him that I was interested and the plans were made.

There are plenty of great sources that describe the different sections of the climb on the Keyhole route. I reflected upon and drew upon sources of inspiration in my life to keep me moving toward the top. I reached the summit and had some time to enjoy the view that I had envisioned in my mind for all these years.

I'm fortunate to live in Northern Colorado and have a great view of Longs Peak. From this day forward, I will look at it differently and recall a great day and great personal accomplishment.