10/21/2025
After my LinkedIn Volcano Post, I was asked about Colorado climbing, and I got to thinking I'd done Quanday, a Colorado 14'er probably 50 times. I checked with Strava, and there were 30 there available in a quick search, being tagged and all, and of course that only goes back to 2012.
Using Strava Segments I was able to identify 26 summits via the "standard" East Ridge Route. I've also ascended a handful of times via the Christo Couloir, a more spicy steep snow climb with a bit more risk. It's a standard skimo route in the spring. Once I did it in running shoes, aluminum crampons, and a single trekking pole ice axe meant for skiing. I'd love to try it in microspikes.
Previous to that I'd been using Garmin and Polar and Suunto apps to record, and there was no such thing as Strava. When I signed up for Strava there wasn't a clean and simple way to import your data from those others, and I didn't really see the need for it.
And prior to that I just hiked and climbed and had a great time not worrying about stats and recording and proof.
I dug up some of my favorite pics, all digital, all phone, all in Google, so anything previous to that is gone. Like not even existing. My life previous to that didn't really include summit selfies FWIW.
I've got a pic of my climbing friend Todd, who came to Orizaba and Elbrus with me.
I've got a pic of my kids, who have been along on a handful of trips to the top, including this great winter climb. I think the youngest there was 8 at the time.
I had to toss in a pic of the Goat. They've been a witness to several of my climbs.
I did one overnight on the summit. That was awesome, and I want to do it again. The pic is of my bivy in the summit rocks, sorry my phone camera wasn't up to the task. I'll go get another, better one here soon.
I'm probably going to get out there some this winter, if things slow down just a bit.
Do you have a favorite climb or hike? Let me know.
