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“If we do this again, we’re getting Verizon” – Andrew

Sprint sucks.  I have had no access to the internet for days!  I got home late last night after driving through a terrible rainstorm.  It is hard being away from it all, but I do have to work eventually.  I had planned on taking the whole time off, but due to the uncertain early conditions, Andrew delayed 5 days, and I was unable to rearrange my work schedule.

Here are some pics from the last few days.

Day 2 Driving to Creede. Scary Lightning.
Day 2 Driving to Creede. Scary Lightning.
Day 3. Kyle driving up the Lake Como Road.
Day 3. Kyle driving up the Lake Como Road.
Day 3. This road should have been really easy for Andrew last year on the motorcycle. Not sure what his problem was.
Day 3. This road should have been really easy for Andrew last year on the motorcycle. Not sure what his problem was.
Day 3. Me bouncing around in the back. Kyle gave me a 4wheeling lesson on the way down. Came in handy on the Huerfano road.
Day 3. Me bouncing around in the back. Kyle gave me a 4wheeling lesson on the way down. Came in handy on the Huerfano road.
Day 3. Jaws 1
Day 3. Jaws 1
Day 3. On the Lake Como Rd
Day 3. On the Lake Como Rd
Day 3. Hiking up the Lake Como Road after Jaws 1 to the 3000" point.
Day 3. Hiking up the Lake Como Road after Jaws 1 to the 3000″ point.
Day 3. Como. Still smiling.
Day 3. Como. Still smiling.
Day 3. This is how Andrew got up past Jaws 1 to the 3000" point.
Day 3. This is how Andrew got up past Jaws 1 to the 3000″ point.
Day 3. One of many wash outs.
Day 3. One of many wash outs on the Huerfano road for Lindsay.
Day 3. On the Huerfano Road after the flash flood, trying to get to Culebra.
Day 3. On the Huerfano Road after the flash flood, trying to get to Culebra.
This Earth mover nearly got stuck in this, and had to use the front loader to get himself out. It was a miracle we got the van out of there. Kyle hooked a tow rope to the van, and I used my newly acquired 4x4 skills to get out.
This earth mover nearly got stuck in this, and had to use the front loader to get himself out. It was a miracle we got the van out of there. Kyle hooked a tow rope to the van, and I used my newly acquired 4×4 skills to get out.
Day 3. Lots of mud
Day 3. Lots of mud
Day 4. Upper South Colony Lake with Kyle.
Day 4. Upper South Colony Lake with Kyle.
Day 4. Our good omen.
Day 4. Our good omen.
Day 4. Leaving the Crestones. After being drenched at the upper lake with Kyle, it all cleared out by the time we were heading over to Pikes.
Day 4. Leaving the Crestones. After being drenched at the upper lake with Kyle, it all cleared out by the time we were heading over to Pikes.
Day 5. Frontier Ranch TH. Calvin, Axel, and Max.
Day 5. Frontier Ranch TH. Calvin, Axel, and Max.
Day 5. Returning from Mt. Princeton.
Day 5. Returning from Mt. Princeton.
Day 6. We waited out the rain in the RV before the big Elks day.
Day 6. We waited out the rain in the RV before the big Elks day.
Day 6. Final prep for his 24 hour trek.
Day 6. Final prep for his 24 hour trek.
Day 6. Bye
Day 6. Bye
Day 6. Andrew and Laura
Day 6. Andrew and Laura
Day 6. Calvin and Axel at Maroon Lake. It was an absolutely beautiful day. But take about the worst time to be in Aspen, on the 4th of July. We got driving reprieve for a few hours with our friend Luke. We then drove around to Capitol Creek where Kyle and I hiked up to Capital Lake. We got there a little too fast, so waited for about 3 hours in drizzle for him to come down. We watched his light from the peak to K2 and then it disappeared for a while before reappearing. He descending so unbelievably fast! Doing Capitol in the dark is difficult, but when it is wet... yikes! He said he scooted across the more difficult part of the knife edge because the rock was so slippery. We returned to Kyle's car via the old Capitol Creek route to avoid the stream crossing. I liked the 400 foot ascent at the end. What Andrew will do for love!
Day 6. Calvin and Axel at Maroon Lake. It was an absolutely beautiful day. But take about the worst time to be in Aspen, on the 4th of July. We got driving reprieve for a few hours with our friend Luke. We then drove around to Capitol Creek where Kyle and I hiked up to Capital Lake. We got there a little too fast, so waited for about 3 hours in drizzle for him to come down. We watched his light from the peak to K2 and then it disappeared for a while before reappearing. He descended so unbelievably fast! Doing Capitol in the dark is difficult, but when it is wet… yikes! He said he scooted across the more difficult part of the knife edge because the rock was so slippery. We returned to Kyle’s car via the old Capitol Creek route to avoid the stream crossing (for me). I liked the 400 foot ascent at the end. What Andrew will do for love!
Day 7. After Castle and Conundrum.
Day 7. After Castle and Conundrum with James.
Day 7. Done with the Elks and still on schedule! Smiling!
Day 7. Done with the Elks and still on schedule! Smiling!
Day 7. At Elbert TH. Charlie met us at the S Elbert TH with donuts! We force fed Andrew. He has not been eating as much of his powder as he should be, so we are trying to stuff more in during transitions. It is hard though, as he gets full quickly. He will be a lot thinner at the end of this!
Day 7. At Elbert TH. Charlie met us at the S Elbert TH with donuts! We force fed Andrew. He has not been eating as much of his powder as he should be, so we are trying to stuff more in during transitions. It is hard though, as he gets full quickly. He will be a lot thinner at the end of this!
Charlie ad Andrew getting ready to drive up the S Mount Elbert road with Kyle.
Charlie ad Andrew getting ready to drive up the S Mount Elbert road with Kyle.
Day 7. Andrew returning to the North Halfmoon Creek TH to a waiting Homie, after Elbert, and before heading up Massive with Homie and Charlie.
Day 7. Andrew returning to the North Halfmoon Creek TH to a waiting Homie, after Elbert, and before heading up Massive with Homie and Charlie.
Day 7. Charlie crossing the creek at the base of Elbert. They came down so fast, we made him get back in the water to take this picture.
Day 7. Charlie crossing the creek at the base of Elbert. They came down so fast, we made him get back in the water to take this picture.
Day 7. Homie and a "damp" Charlie.
Day 7. Homie and a “damp” Charlie.
Day 7. Andrew and his Mom Brenda.
Day 7. Andrew and his Mom Brenda.
Day 7. Its just a flesh wound.
Day 7. Its just a flesh wound.
Day 7. Packing the pack for Massive. Andrew was in great spirits, smiling and laughing. How?
Day 7. Packing the pack for Massive. Andrew was in great spirits, smiling and laughing. How?
Day 7. Kyle looking glamorous.
Day 7. Kyle looking glamorous.
Day 7. More transitioning.
Day 7. More transitioning.
Day 7. Leaving for Massive.
Day 7. Leaving for Massive.
Day 7. Returning from Massive. He looks like he's sleepwalking.
Day 7. Returning from Massive. He looks like he’s sleepwalking.
Day 7. And you thought YOU were tired!
Day 7. And you thought YOU were tired!
Day 7. Nap time.
Day 7. Nap time.
Day 7. Andrea, David (Laura's husband), and Kyle
Day 7. Andrea, David (Laura’s husband), and Kyle
Day 7. Everyone else driving to Holy Cross as I grudgingly went home.
Day 7. Everyone else driving to Holy Cross as I grudgingly went home.
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Elbert
Elbert
Ascending Elbert, twin lakes in back
Ascending Elbert, twin lakes in back
Massive! Homie and Andrew. Photo by Charlie
Massive! Homie and Andrew. Photo by Charlie
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Homie in the van!!
kyle- like.a.BOSS
kyle- like.a.BOSS

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Charlie coming off Massive and the famous river crossing!!
Charlie coming off Massive and the famous river crossing!!

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LOVE YOU DAD!
LOVE YOU DAD!

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The Heart of the Sawatch

Holy Cross was A LONG NIGHT for him he took maybe 5 cat naps and claims the 5 hour to be a ‘dud.’ About 8 hours for Holy Cross. THANK GOD Charlie was there to hike with him and keep his mind awake at least … He reached the TH a little later, but it’s okay- he says “I can use my built in sleep and hike!” – no Andrew, FYI I WILL make you sleep for a least an hour. He probably won’t put up much of a fight. We did our resupply transition to prepare not seeing Andrew all day. (So 2 packs had to be packed. One for Yale, the other for Columbia, Harvard, Oxford, Belford and Missouri, which Kyle and Homie will be dropping off to him.) Andrew was happy with how the transition went so for the day we did his laundry, grocery shopping, filled water etc. etc. He stayed mostly dry last night as most of the rain passed as they began Holy Cross. He has not hit much weather yet today!! (Edit: 15 min later- rain!!) I got some sleep and will prob sleep more today. 2100’/hour on Yale. You are amazing Andrew as you continue to make up even just the slightest bit of lost time, and doing GREAT overall. Big thanks to Will who hiked Yale this morning, and Homie who is with Andrew for a multiple of these afternoon peaks. And BIG thanks to everyone who is offering to step up and help when needed. Your willingness and generosity does not go unrecognized. It is hectic with the change of crew, and less of us. David had taken over logistics and coordination with Kyle in 4Runner now that Laura is gone and Brenda has taken over the Red Van driving role! (Which is not easy considering this is where Andrew sleeps, and he isn’t happy when it’s a bumpy ride!) Haha So thankful for these amazing individuals and the team effort made by each. GO ANDREW GO!!!!!

(FYI y’all are crashing the Delorme site, he’s still climbing and summiting even if it doesn’t seem so)

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The ultimate selfie!!!! He surprised us EARLY coming off Castle and Conundrum
The ultimate selfie!!!! He surprised us EARLY coming off Castle and Conundrum
We know we did our job feeding him when he has a face like this when we tell him he as to eat his other cheese potato!! Ha ha
We know we did our job feeding him when he has a face like this when we tell him he as to eat his other cheese potato!! Ha ha
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Another Update

Will be OOS for a while so here is another update! Arrived EARLY to Elbert trailhead. HUGE THANKS to Charlie Nuttleman.. He plans on hiking Elbert, (some?of Massive) and Holy Cross which was a major concern for SLEEP DEMONS for Andrew!!!! See you for a transition to Massive and then off to Holy Cross, then Big traverse coming up in Sawatch to keep our fingers crossed for!!!! GO ANDREW GOOOO!!!!

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Nailed it. ELKS

WE ARE MOVING ON!!!! Screwed up N. Maroon descent he got cliffed out, but didn’t want to back down so HE “just did it.” (Something you prob shouldn’t tell your support crew) Bell Cord was terrible mush. Although I’d say he crushed it. What is it they say??? Oh…NAILED IT!!!!!!!!!!! His legs are TIRED!!! But I’ll take it!!!!!!! Drive to castle creek was smooth then opted to sleep for 45 min so I doctored him up, he ate after coming back from cap, (a warm baked potato loaded with cheese- he LOVED IT along with some pad thai) and Laura and I packed his pack. His legs look great, although after that rest break getting going again he was TIGHT for sure and he hobbled away into Kyle’s car! Big thanks to our friend James who will be hiking these next two with Andrew!!! KICK BUTT ANDREW!!! 0528 he left us at lower TH! 1001 and Andrew COMPLETES THE ELKS!!!!!!! Transition should be smooth to Elbert and Massive, we just need to keep the sleep demons off HOLY CROSS! Now about me- It’s a sad day. 3/4 of our support crew leaves today. Spending the last 6-7 days with Andrews family have been some of the best laughs and memories I’ll ever have. Gigi and Florian left with the RV and Axel and Calvin right after we left Capitol. I will hopefully see Gigi in August. Laura and Natalie will be leaving after Andrew does Massive. The amount of work and team effort that has been put into this does not go unrecognized and we would not be where we are right now if you guys were not here helping this run as smoothly as possible. BIG THANKS!!!!! I am so thankful for David- Laura’s husband who will be coming out along with Andrews mom Brenda for the remainder of the record to help out Kyle and myself.

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A BIG push – Elks traverse Pyramid–>Cap cap Capitol

Andrews first REAL night sleep! YAY!! He used the time he was ahead to really get some sleep, rest his legs, and focus on rejuvenating for an estimated 24 hour day in the Elks. On the drive to Aspen, I massaged out his legs, Natalie and I taped him up and he ate, took some meds, etc. etc. you all know routine by now. A thunderstorm hit which made Andrew want to delay his start just a bit to 0230, and was basically on time with a 0236 departure. Skies clear!!! (he told us no snow gear for pyramid but he forgot he wanted his ice ax so he had to come back for it) Thankful he remembered and had hardly started when he came running back! Natalie cooked a HUGE breakfast!! It smelled so good I was so jealous. While Laura and I packed his packs (one for pyramid, the other for Bells-Cap) and transition gear, Andrew ate. Well really just stuffed himself, but just loved his breakfast! Thanks Natalie! Laura, myself, Gigi and Florian hiked in at 0430 met him with a transitioning of packs at Crater Lake. We were way early and spent time taking some awesome pictures of sunrise and the Bells. His round trip time on Pyramid- 4.5 hours. We did a final prep for his long day away from us. He feels great going out, although a little concerned about swelling in his legs, but who climbs 30ish 14ers in 5 days and doesn’t have mild swelling?!?! crazy, just crazy Andrew!! His pack is heavy, but he crushed the bell cord and traversed in 52 minutes. WAY TO GO!!!! Big thanks to Florian who hiked up with Andrew to 11200 and offered awesome encouragement. But the best part of this day – Luke Stevenson!!! Huge THANKS for offering up your place in Aspen for showers, restock of water, naps and WIFI. He will be hiking with Andrew later in the week. As for the rest of the evening, its just food and heading to Capitol Lake where Natalie and Kyle will meet Andrew and hike out with him. GO ANDREW GO!!!!!! YOURE KICKING BUTT and we are ALL behind you!!!!!!!!!! GO GO GO! – can any of us say this enough!?