Here's an interesting thought: if you ask your average Joe from Colorado what the highest point is in his state, more often than not, he\she will know the answer. Now ask a Texan the same question, and they'll probably reply with "Peak, what peak?"
From my informal, unscientific survey, less than 1/10,000th of one percent of Texans will ever climb this peak. What a shame....
This view from the parking lot shows El Capitan, a sub-peak of Guadalupe. This is one of several "El Capitans" around the world, not the most famous one. The main peak is back behind the peaks to the right. Incidentally, this is the 14th highest state highpoint in the lower 48 states.
Our group here range from fifteen to sixty-five in age. Here we are at the trailhead raring to go....from left to right: Tucker, Jarod, Me, Brandon, Johnny, Ray, Conrad, Kris. David was the photographer here.
My first trip up Guadalupe was with my son Kris when he was ten. He joined me and some pals from work again, shown here, at the ripe old age of nineteen. Of course he spanked me on both trips. Looks like I'm pregnant here! I'm not fat anymore - really, I'm not!
This mountain is very special to me. I remember trips taking inner city scouts (Royal Rangers) up the peak, and some of my best friends. Someday Kris will be bringing my ashes up here to scatter, hopefully after a few hundred more peaks and motorcycle rides.
Here's a view of El Capitan from the peak trail. This is about 1/3 of the way up. The trail never gets much closer to El Capitan than this. I've never gone over to climb El Capitan, but I think I will on the next trip. I imagine it would add at least a couple of hours to the trip.
Most of the trees on this trail look like this one. There was a forest fire here about ten years ago. There has been a lot of recovery. Things look much better than they did the year following the fire.
This pass comes about half a mile before the halfway point. There is almost always a 30-40 m.p.h. (or greater) wind blowing when you go through this pass and continue the climb. The wind is probably caused by the heat rising up off the desert that lies at the western base of the mountain. El Paso lies just over an hours drive to the west. There are several wind-powered generators in the area taking advantage of the wind's consistent power.
The first third of the trail is very steep; it'll make your heart pound. Here Tucker has rounded the turn through the pass and continues the ascent after.
Some flowers at trailside......
My brother-in-law Johnny climbs up one of the many rock formations along the way.
More of the typical rock piles you'll see on Guadalupe.
My pal Conrad seems to be energetic as we get closer to peak!
Here's a shot from the peak. Someone had gotten a nice shot of everyone in their underwear, but no one emailed me copies! Also, if you want to know about the night before when we crossed over into Mexico, you'll have to ask me in private.
Here Ray and I take a breather as we head back to the van.
*Note - these photos were taken with a cardboard box\disposable camera, and saved to DVD at WalMart. Sorry about the low resolution.
