Author: Natalie Hamilton

3:38pm           I am on top of a peak

4:01pm           Tell james we are very late. Bring food and dry clothing sock shoes.

6:44pm          Hi Natalie. Rough Day! Just heading to bells now. How is crew holding up? We will probably be coming off south maroon std route.

Looks like it came back online. I just got a text from it and I saw a point from 11am. Thanks to all those who offered help. Hopefully it will be ok!

Andrew just texted from Summit of Capitol.  The satellite tracker was fully charged this am, but now it has stopped working.  He thinks that it may have gotten knocked.  Soft reset not working.  I may have to figure out a way to get him a new one!  It may be disappointing for the day toda!   Bummer!

So just a quick update for those not following the play by play.  Andrew is currently returning from Mt. Massive, his 39th peak. 19 left to go in Colorado!  He is still making excellent time!  He is heading to the Elk Range tonight, starting with Capitol, then Snowmass, North and South Maroon, Pyramid, and Castle.  Stefan Griebel will be joining Andrew on this latest adventure (except Castle.)  Thanks Stefan!

Sorry everyone, this is the first chance I’ve had to update!

From James @08:03 this morning:

He came off Princeton really sleepy which slowed the downhill pace by thirty minutes.  We are taking an hour to really sleep at Denny creek I think it will help him find his 30th wind:) I’ll finally surpass him in the sleep race that has been a fight for both of us when he heads up the trail at 230am. Andrew thinks his th-th split will be about 5:45

If you didn’t already know the man that is Homie find some time.  He is a great individual that wants to help in any way possible.  I was leaning on his experience and common sense to get through some logistical spots that my sleepy brain couldn’t handle.  He also set a great shuttle from blank gultch back to Princeton which let me work on andrews feet and knee on the move while in his van.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totally missed Andrea this morning!  I drove to Crag’s Campground this morning just to say hi and let the little ones see Dad for a few.  When I arrived, Calvin, Axel and Brenda were still sleeping, and the Mule had already left for Johnson Village.  Everyone awoke and I also met Tom, who’s son was hiking Pike’s with Andrew.  I apologize that I missed your name.  Thanks so much for being there!  I am truly amazed at how good Andrew looks!  He is smiling, motivated, ready to go!  He is also very disappointed that his belly is exactly the same size as it started out!  I am also truly amazed by his crew! James who just kept on moving after learning his truck is totaled, has probably been getting far less sleep than Andrew, and hiking to and from dirt/mountain bike placement.  He is totally in charge!  True dedication.  Huge thanks to Homie for the support as well!  And CaveDog for supporting from afar!And Will Robnett whom none of us knew but Kim, and I still have yet to meet, but came along for all this foolishness, and has been indispensible!  Andrea already knows she is not normal, and a freak of nature!  I came home to find her arm splint disassembled and left on the counter.  We often joke that she is my stunt double in the mountains.

 

So Andrew was attempting some other time saver, so went in reverse order, but found too much snow for his plan.  Still made amazing time though!

Andrea hit a deer in James’ truck and rolled off an embankment.  She seems to be ok, got pretty beat up, but is making her way back to my house with Wil.  It sounds like the truck did not fare so well.  I am heading up to see Andrew at Crags on his return from Pikes.  I have been waiting for Andrea to get here, but can’t wait much longer!

Huge Thank You to the Staff of Cielo Vista Ranch for being so accommodating!  And for the cinnamon rolls!!!

Here’s a few pics, Andrea will update with the story in a bit.

 

 

 

“Andrew killed it in the Crestones” from Kim just now.  What an amazing run and getting to Culebra before 6am.  Crazy!!!  The mule texted early this morning saying “Sleepy but solid.  Mild hallucinations from the summit down to the bike.  We will be at the ranch at 515am.  He is currently as snug as a bug in a rug with no signs of moving until woken with an air horn.”

He made excellent time on Culebra this morning and is now heading to the Blanca group and the dreaded Lake Como Road.  At least he gets to sleep on the drive for a while!

Thanks everyone for their support! This is so much more fun than the last times he did this!

 

And about the hallucinations, he was probably hypoglycemic.  I am sure his body is having trouble meeting the demand for glucose after such long hikes and so little rest.  James is going to adjust his intake some.