The trail heads off into the forest, a steady but moderate
climb, that lets you know away that we are indeed climbing
a mountain. Because the trailhead is at 10,397, you may find
that you are already breathing hard!
About an hour and a half to two hours up the trail (depending
on the pace of the group), we come out of the trees and onto
Half Moon pass. Here we leave the main trail, leaving behind
the hikers who are heading to climb Mt. of the Holy Cross.
 Now
our backcountry experience begins. We hike across a gorgeous
high-alpine meadow, with sweeping vistas to the north and
east. We’ll pass through two amazing backcountry campsites
and you’ll want to make a note to come back to spend
the night on another trip.
We contour around the mountain, along a trail that is so
seldom used it is covered in moss and grass. Hardy wildflowers,
such as red kings crown and pink moss campion, decorate the
mountain side. This is what mountain climbing used to be like,
before the trails became sand troughs from so much foot traffic!
You’ll be amazed to have found such solitude, so close
to home.
 At
12,000 our route steepens and the route finding becomes a
bit more difficult. This is the steepest part of the climb,
taking us up to 12,743. The trail gives way to rocks, and
we make our way from rock to rock. But you’ll be distracted
from the difficulty of the ascent by the purple columbine
growing in the shade of boulders and birds alighting from
rock to rock.
Before you know it you have reached the ridge. Now the hike
really become class 2 (no visible trail) and we make our way
up the ridgeline from rock to rock until we reach the summit
at 13,237'.
 The
view all along the ridge, and especially from the summit is
vast. Even on a hazy day, you can make out the familiar sites:
the back bowls of Vail, Cooper Ski area, the Climax Molybdenum
mines. To the west is Mt. of the Holy Cross, although only
the vertical line of snow is still there.
To the south is the famous notch of Notch Mountain, a perilous
rock crossing which separates us from all the other hikers
who have taken the south route to the other (lower) summit
at 13, 224'. Because the crossing is so difficult, they stay
over there, leaving the northern summit to us!
 After
lunch on the summit, we’ll make our way back down to
the trailhead.
Time: We estimate that the round-trip, up
and back, will take us 8 hours, depending on the pace of the
group.
 Difficulty:
Strenuous. No technical climbing is involved but the hike
will be long and is at altitude. This trip is not as hard
as a 14er, or as hard as the Aspen to Crested Butte hike we
did last year, but we will still be climbing 3,000 feet! Please
do not sign up if you are not in good physical condition or
if you live at sea level.
Meals: we will provide dinner, breakfast,
snacks and lunch.
| Notch
Mountain Menu: |
Dinner:
- Caesar salad with grilled chicken
- Orzo with grilled pepper, zucchini and goat cheese
- Vegetable platter and dip
- Fresh whole grain bread
- Desert |
Breakfast:
- Hot tea
- Hot instant oatmeal
- Bagel and cream cheese
- Starbucks Frappachino |
Lunch:
- Turkey or humus sandwiches
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Fresh whole grain bread
- Fruit
- Cliff bars
- Trail Mix
- Gatorade |
| Note: menu is subject
to change. |
Camping: We will be camping at the Gore
Creek Campground in East Vail. Please bring your own camping
gear, including tent. Directions: Take I-70 toward Vail but
exit Exit #180 - East Vail. Turn left and go under the interstate
and follow Bighorn Road all the way to the end of the road.
There are no turns until you get to the road closure gate,
approximately 2 miles. The campground is at the gate. We will
have an Adventure Rabbi sign up at our campsite.
If you would rather not camp, you are welcome to find accommodations
in Vail and meet us for dinner and havdallah in the campground
and then at the trailhead on Sunday.
Schedule: Our time together begins Saturday
at 3 p.m., with an hour or so hike up Gore Creek, just beyond
our campground. We'll enjoy an early dinner and havdallah,
then get an good night sleep before our VERY early start Sunday
morning.
Gear: A gear list will be emailed to you
upon registration.
Carpool: We encourage you to carpool. To
email others to arrange carpools Click
here>>
Jewish Learning: Our journey together begins
with the celebration of havdallah, the end of Shabbat. Havdallah
is always a favorite, with wine, candles and spice box, guitar
and song, how can you go wrong?
Although our hike will be long and strenuous we will leave
time for Adventure Rabbi style teaching moments. Rabbi Korngold
is in the midst of finishing her book (to be published by
Doubleday in Sept. 2007) so we will continue to discuss the
book material about the spiritual portals available to us
in the wilderness.
Video Release: This hike will be professionally
filmed for a possible PBS special about the Adventure Rabbi
program. All participants on the hike must be willing to be
in the video.
Fee: $75 until August 11, after August 11,
$100.
Discount: One work-study position
is available. Must be willing to go to Vail on Friday afternoon.
Guides: This trip will be led by Rabbi Jamie
Korngold, Jeff Finkelstein, Raj Seymour, James Brodsky and
Gwen Brodsky.
Register:
Registraton is now closed
|
