Posted on by Natalie Hamilton

“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.