Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Sixteen Hours on Cookes Peak


Cookes.  This peak has been staring me down daily for the 17 months we've lived here, making it especially gratifying to finally stare back across Silver City from the top.  Memories of this trip are fading, but a few feelings remain. 

Local photographer Jay Hemphill offered good company and the great idea of camping on the summit.  The previous weekend had snowed us out, but high pressure and big views prevailed on the weekend following. 

Some glimpses along the granite ramps on the ascent, long long views from the summit, and the incredible frosty lighting of sunrise.

Provinger Canyon to the west looked like a particularly worthwhile summit route alternative, water held within its tinajas:


While watching dusk fade, a rush of fog overtook the summit. Silently watching my alcohol stove slowly boil it's water, our bags quickly became soaked and frosted over. Bivies were fully zipped and I crawled inside while the wind started to really pick up. With zero wind protection, the thin nylon of the bivy kept flapping in the wind keeping me wide awake. Coupled with a lumpy and rocky sleeping site underneath a thin foam sleeping pad, shuteye did not come easily. Three hours later, I finally decided I'd had enough shivering and cursing of the wind and moved behind a short rock wall beautifully laid down by hikers previous.

Circadian alarm clock awakening revealed incredible pastel pinks starting to emerge beyond the frosted rocks of the summit.

All Southwestern New Mexicans should find themselves standing at the top of this mountain, hopefully with ambitions of braving the wind for the gifts that follow.