Climbed my first 14 thousand foot mountain - Handies Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Southern Colorado.
Good friend Bob Andrews was my guide - he's climbed ten of these massive peaks!
It was an 8 mile climb, starting at 10,400 feet... really a great thrill.
We were close to the summit when a storm with hail and 50 mph winds chased us down - we waited in a safe area just below the snow line, then pushed up when we saw blue sky - with just seconds before another storm hit - it was closing in from below and above us - we summited and then with hail hitting hard, chased down the ridge line to a safer area until the storm passed... it was an awesome moment.
Thanks Bob Andrews -
and, blessings to all our friends -
keep climbing!
paul
