We had logged onto a report about the two 14ers the day before and someone posted information on an avalanche that had just occurred. About 45 minute into the hike, we came across it, as it covered our trail. It was not a big avalanche, thankfully.
Although it started out beautiful, it turned cold very quickly. But we did start out the day with ssmiles on our faces.
Everything from here on out, you will have to take our word for. It got so cold, both our cameras stopped working.
As we continued up the mountain, the wind started to pick up and the snow started to fall. About a 1/3 of the way up, we had to put on our snowshoes and pull out our climbing polls. We had gotten some mountaineering shoes from T-Dog and Kate that winter and we definitely needed them. Leroy Brown was stuggling up the icy mountainside. As we climbed higher the wind blew harder, much harder. About 2/3 of the way up, Jenny decided she could go no more. It was too cold and she was too tired. She turned back with Leroy, and I continued up. Another couple wasn't too far behind us. They had a similar situation happen - he continued up and his girlfriend headed back down.
As myself and this unspoken young college kid continued on, the wind at times was blowing over 60 mph with gusts even higher (my best guess, but I've never been in wind that strong, even in ND). I could hardly see, but I knew I had to get to the top. It felt like it took forever, but I eventually made it to the top of Greys mountain and the college kid wasn't too far behind. We chatted for about 30 seconds before it got too cold to stand around.
I had a small ridge to cross to make it over to Torres. It wasn't far, maybe 1/2 a mile. I was getting pretty delerious at this point with very little food and water. The ridge was pretty flat and not to hard to navigate. It took me about an hour to get over to Torres and back to the top of Grey's peak.
It was a relief to start heading down. I was so cold and I couldn't feel my feet. Fortunately, I had dressed really warm and my upper body was doing well, just my toes were in rough shape. It took me about half the time to get down the mountain as it took me to get up the mountain.
I finally made it back to the car to find Jenny in tears. She said she was about to call search and rescue. She didn't have much faith in me getting back okay, I guess.
It was a phenomenal climb and I can't wait to do it again. I lost feeling in my toes on my right foot for about 2 months, but that eventually came back (which I was assured would happen during a trip to the doctor a few weeks after).
