I found this photo of “The Four Pass Pup” in a DP feature called “Eight extreme day hikes in Colorado that are worth the pain.” You are welcome to read it, here. Also you’re welcome to attempt any or all of the hikes. But I share it with the following disclaimer: My days of extreme hiking are over. Nothing is worth that much pain. Don’t get me wrong. I still love hiking. But trying to compress 28 miles and 8000′ of elevation gain in the Maroon Bells into a single 24 hour window is not my idea of a good time. Likewise, sprinting up and down the 2,744 steps of the Manitou Incline (a 68% grade) just doesn’t do it for me any more. If it ever did.
The author of the article says to “get up early and take one of these extreme hikes and you’ll have accomplished a crazy feat to tell your friends about over a cold beverage — assuming you can walk the next day.” I dunno, call me crazy, but I prefer to get up late, skip the extremes, and share a cold beverage with friends next day while still being able to walk. I’ve got nothing to prove here. Except maybe my sanity.
But back to the photo.
This one just makes me happy. Can’t really say why.
Maybe because the husky hiked it and I didn’t?
Anyway, it’s about time for that cold beverage. Enjoy.
Pretty picture