Wheeler Peak – Elevation 13,161 ft / 4,014 müM

July 19, 2023By 24

The sound of my hiking shoes could have been a metronome

About 28 years ago, I climbed the highest peak in Switzerland (also the 2nd highest in the Alps) during one of my yearly Swiss military high mountain troops trainings. Switzerland has a mountain warfare capability. To reach the Dufourspitze ( elevation 15,203ft / 4634müM) we needed ice axes, crampons, and climbing ropes.

Since living in New Mexico I have always wanted to be on top of our state’s highest peak, Wheeler Peak, elevation of 13,161ft / 4015müM. It is close to Taos and Taos Ski Valley.

On Sunday, I drove to Taos Ski Valley. This is a tiny town. It is so small that when I went to eat dinner at 6:55 pm at the Taos Ale House, the waitress let me know  they close at 7 pm but would give me takeout. So I sat at a table on the veranda facing the river Hondo Rio. I enjoyed my dinner and a beer and went to bed early.

At 3:15, Monica Giraldo woke me up with La Aventura, and reminded me to get up and be ready for a 4 am start. I brought breakfast from home and enjoyed every bite of the Müesli, yogurt, and fresh fruit.

I drove the 5 minutes to the trailhead parking lot, put my headlamp on, trapped my rucksack, and went off into the pitch-dark night. I am glad that previously I hiked the first few kilometers as I recognized some small river crossings and curves. The temperature was a cool 47F (8C). 

The only voice I heard was my inner voice. It sounded great and happy. The sound of my footsteps was like listening to a metronome. With that sound, I was reminded of my army training. Same rhythm: 60 minutes non-stop, 1-2 minute drinking break, continue. I did the 60 minutes and then drank a few sips every 30 minutes. At around 5 am, I heard the first bird chirping. Soon they were more and more. It was still very dark. I am still inside the forest.

Slowly I saw the sky getting brighter through the high trees—nobody else, not one soul was on the trail. Once above the tree level, the landscape opened like a play when the curtain is raised. At twilight, I started to see an incredible amount of different wildflowers.

I heard the sound of marmots (Murmeltierli), pikas, and big-horn sheep. It was just me, nature, and the animals. Several times my heart bursted with joy for different reasons. The beauty of nature, all the wildflowers, seeing and feeling a new day starting, being able to live in this beautiful state, realizing again how fortunate I am that Cindy agreed to move to Santa Fe, and most important, that I am healthy and can enjoy this. 

When I reached the ridge, the scenery was spectacular. At the peak, I had the whole mountain for myself. I was there at 7:30 am and enjoyed it for over half an hour. Big horn sheep were curious, marmots were running after each other. Wildflowers were waving in the wind.

I put my rucksack back over my shoulders and hiked down. Going down is so nice because you don’t use too much energy. At least 1 mile down, I saw the first people coming up. In the meantime, the temperature rose, and it started to get warm. Seeing me coming down, most of those people had a great excuse to rest while we made  small talk. When they heard at what time I left this morning, more than once, I heard, “You are blessed.” 🙂

At 10:30 am, I was back at the car, and for the first time, it was great to sit down and relax.

At Taos Sky Valley, I had a delicious green chile pizza.

You know, dog owners treat their dogs when they do something good. Parents treat their children with ice cream if they do something good. 

So, I treated myself to a chairlift ride. Light clothes, sandals and up they brought me. Not a drop of sweat. On top, I looked over and up to the Wheeler Peak.

 

What a day!

Click Image to see Slideshow

Click Image to see Slideshow

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