Highlands Mountain Aspen, CO
November 7th, 2011
Every fall as the winter begins to slowly slide in there are moments that the anticipation of the upcoming ski season is too much to bear. 5-10 inches of fresh snow had fallen several different times in the previous two weeks here in the Elk mountains and the new 10 inches from the evening before tipped the scales. Early season hiking is not for the faint of heart and the suffering is the same for the newbie as it is for the seasoned climber. Everyone starts at square one every season. This is the time to get at it!
Our photographer had driven over from Salt Lake after completing his day job shooting homes to sell to the rich in park city and arrived on Friday night. After allowing him a few days to acclimatize and having done the first half of the peak the day before, it was time to push the limits and see where we were at this early in the season. Monday morning came and it was time. We started out in the late morning not knowing how long it would take us to reach the summit but ready to get some early season shots for the publication. Couldn't lie that another part of us was in this to make our friends jealous all over the world. The first half of the hike felt great and we were really making good time. A playful moment of a woman and her beautiful dog running down the fresh snow as she skied in front took the mind off the pain and the little bit of euphoria that comes along with endorphins makes me smile. We stop for a moment at the mid point to assess our physical condition and grab some water. The view is already breathtaking but only I know what awaits us from the summit. My photographer is in for a special treat.
Again we set off, this time just along the catwalk that splits the two steeps on the mountain. Kick gliding along the trail, our muscles have the ability to regain their strength. I feel good, unexpectedly good. This is inspiring and pushes us to the next set of steeps toward the summit. The steeps then take their tole. Muscles begin to freeze up around 11,000 feet but I give props to our photographer as this is his first season and it takes experience to know just how much mental effort it takes to push the body upward. "You aiight?" I call back to my friend.
"Ya," he responds exasperated of breath.
"I'm good".
"I'm good".
Making it to the last steep, I can see that the effort has taken its mental totality on my friend. I assure him that not only are we close, it is going to be completely worth it! He looks skeptical and I know that he would love nothing more than to strap in and ride down to the cold fresh beer awaiting us at the bottom. We push up the last steep and the view that I knew would blow him away slowly reveals itself. Maroon Bells, the most photographed peak in the Rocky Mountains, opens up and instantly he understands what the effort has been all about. 
Looking to our right as we hiked we see two tracks down Oly Bowl and they look perfect. Slightly covered from the fresh snow but tracks that will allow us to find our way down without getting choked out in the gully and ending up at the river 3,200 feet below. With bears still foraging before laying down for the long winter, it would be in our best interest to make it to the base of Highlands without getting lost. So it was decided and we strapped in to get at the 3,120 ft of skiing below our feet. Doug dropped first and set up down below. The turns looked creamy and stable. 
Stopping about half way down the opening pitch we were able to get these shots, the first of the season. It was clear that we had been well rewarded for our early season efforts. With it being so early, we are even more motivated to get after it and not stop! Elevate Thyself Everyday!
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