Climbing Fourteeners: Maroon Bells
A Video Essay By Major King And Lori Allred
They are the most photographed mountains in Colorado, they're also two of the most dangerous to climb. But for outdoor enthusiasts, the Maroon Bells in Pitkin County are a challenge impossible to pass up.
This is a video essay by photographer Major King and Lori Allred. (They also did a video essay last year about climbing Longs Peak, which will be added to the Web site soon.)
In the first few minutes of a brand new day as the red glow of sunrise warms the cold stone and creeps over the snowfields, the sheer beauty of the Maroon Bells is overwhelming.
Just as the twin peaks have two summits, they also have two faces. And for those who dare the climb, there is deception and treachery ahead.
The route to both summits is like a rock minefield that, at times, you carefully pick your way through on hands and knees.
The rock made rotten by centuries of erosion is slick, wet, exposed and loose.
It's made dangerous by humans who can't resist a challenge.
Those who come prepared come equipped with helmets and know what to do if the unstable rock comes tumbling down.
But the biggest test is simply putting one foot in front of the other and trying to breathe in the very thin air, all the while keeping an eye on the weather that can quickly turn dangerous and force you to turn back.
But once you reach the top, the hours it took to get there simply melt away. There is that sense of accomplishment, that sense of euphoria that transcends all the effort that came before.
On this day, it was you and not the mountain that won.
If you are considering climbing the Maroon Bells and you're not an advanced climber, it is highly recommended that you use a helmet and a guide service.
The 7NEWS crew was accompanied by Aspen Alpine guides to ensure their safety.
More Information:
| Slideshow |
But the biggest test is simply putting one foot in front of the other and trying to breathe in the very thin air, all the while keeping an eye on the weather that can quickly turn dangerous and force you to turn back.
But once you reach the top, the hours it took to get there simply melt away. There is that sense of accomplishment, that sense of euphoria that transcends all the effort that came before.
On this day, it was you and not the mountain that won.
If you are considering climbing the Maroon Bells and you're not an advanced climber, it is highly recommended that you use a helmet and a guide service.
The 7NEWS crew was accompanied by Aspen Alpine guides to ensure their safety.
More Information:
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