Howdy gang. we made it alright. Ive been home in a warm bed since yesterday. The guys should be home by now. Except for Manny possibly. It rained the entire week we were in the woods. All our gear was drenched. The 6 mile down hill hike out of the mountain was extremely treacherous. One day while on top of the medicine bow, a large storm with cold wind and hail blew in. Drew and I retreated to a cave we found up top. We started a fire, dried our clothes and equipment and had lunch. Even left some cave art. When the storm blew over, we attempted to summit the medicine how once again, but the storm came back. We were forced back to the cave. For some reason, that cave called to us for the remaining hunt. Charlie, I was on top of that hill with Drew when he sent the text. It was the only place with service. 11,000 ft and 7miles round trip from camp. The hunt was very rewarding in that nobody was hurt, we survived terrible weather, heavy wet equipment, and up hill in all directions. The trout fishing was amazing, as was the camaraderie.
We ran into a lot of trad hunters. Some were smart enough to have Llamas carry their kit. What I would have paid to do that. I have a plan for next time.... My buddy has goats as pets. Time to make a call.
When we finally got pushed off the mountain by the weather, we were stuck in the poudre canyon. The road was closed. We had lunch in Glenecho, then detoured through a mountain pass dirt road to Livermore. They closed that behind us. There were boulders that slid into the roads off the hill sides. We made it to Denver, stopped in at RMSG then got a motel near by. And dinner in a college town near Denver. You should have seen all the strange people there. First thought was that they were all sitting at my table. That was the most expensive dinner I ever had in Colorado. Finding parking for our rigs among the electric Prius and smart car armadas led to a parking ticket on my truck. I still don't know why I got it. Izzy, any idea? I think it has something to do with inferiority complex.
The hunt was memorable as they come. And the most physically and mentally challenging. I plan on going back to that area again, as we were into elk every day. Especially around that cave.
John is a mountain goat and carried us all the way. Drew taught me a lot spiritually, and I'm not just talking about purple hooch. Ken and Manny kept our bellies full with trout and taught us about shrooms...er Mushrooms. That just scratched the surface. I'd like to leave the rest for the team. They have all the pictures. I couldn't handle one more ounce. Next time all I'm packing up that mountain is a knife to make everything I need.
Brothers, Thank you again for the gifts and for the memories. It was the best elk hunt to date, and I will never forget it. I couldn't have shared camp with a better group of guys. You all are my brothers, my mentors and my family. I appreciate everything you all are and I'm privileged to be part of the pack.
Casey
Topic: the count down is on for our Colorado elk hunt!!!!!! (Read 2882 times)
