Medicine Bow - July 13 2007

Deb and I got up to go climb Medicine Bow Peak in Southern Wyoming. It’s a little over 12,000 ft, so not too bad. We tried to drive the faster way, but snow banks blocked the road. Half an hour later we started with Stanley, the dog and my stylish pants/shorts zip offs. Every year wound June or July I seem to trick myself that I like hiking. Last year I trekked Toubkal with Giardia and this year its Medicine Bow. Oh well, as long as the once a year hike has the amazing landscapes and geography I seem to be accustomed to, I’ll trick myself next year. As we hiked, there were purple Columbine flowers, pine trees, boulders, lakes, and snowdrifts lining the path. The impressive mountain arcs on our left side sill had snow covering their ranges. A little over halfway up, Stanley and I decided to go sledding down a perfect slope/ drop-off. Now for the steep climb – we made it to a boulder field/icy now field. We decided to jump boulders, but on the last leg went for the ice. First step out and my right leg plummeted past my knee in an ice hole. Cranking myself out and acquiring some nice claw marks from the rock underneath, I stepped with my left hole into another hole. Sticking to the boulders, we made it to the summit! Gorgeous panorama complete with hawks and storm clouds. Making our way back to the cabin, a bald eagle moved among the trees, keeping pace with the car. After passing out with the help of Vitamin I, I watched my Uncle grill hand-rolled sausages in the mountain rain. Finishing p the day with wine, sausages, potato salad, buttery toast, and way under done Ghirardelli brownies made sleep under the five-pounds of blankets heavenly.