This is how close we came to the summit of Mt Humphreys. We were about a quarter mile from the top. At that altitude and in my condition it would have taken another hour of scrambling over a volcanic boulder field. We wisely turned around.
Peter was an excellent hiking companion and guide. It was because of his patience we got as far as we did. Many people warned me not to try Humphreys. I was told it was too rocky, there will be too much snow and ice, and that I was too old. I bought Microspikes for the ice. I trained pretty hard to overcome my age (not enough at altitude) but the rocks were a formidable obstacle. It was the most difficult endurance hike I have ever attempted. Harder than Whitney or the Grand Canyon.
This is what the trail looked like above the tree line. Having said all of the above if I had a month to train at altitude I would try it again. The views were spectacular, the weather was perfect and a grouse followed us. He was actually making grousing noises. And Peter drove home. Life is good.
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