Were Those Students or Mountain Goats?

Becca, being entirely serious, takes the lead in the girl's cook group. Whatever they made seems to meet with Sydney's approval...

Friday and Saturday, September 6 and 7, Ekklesia Mountain High Students Joel Parker and Becca Wade put their mountain experience and expertise to work by helping guide seven freshman and sophomores up 14,229' Mt. Shavano, a "14'er" in the Sawatch range just a little south of DPCA.  Along for the climb also were EMH instructor Mr. Jordan Euler (the climb leader), Spring Canyon Camp guide Lisa Wermuth, and Mr. and Mrs. Ritschard.

L to R Sydney, Noah, Joel, Becca , and Juan on the way up

The group backpacked to a campsite a little way below timberline Friday evening, then completed the climb to the summit on Saturday.  For several in the group, the climb marked their first ascent of a 14'er.  The entire group made the summit, and were rewarded with great views and a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Isaiah, Juan, Elena, Lisa, and Patrick in the saddle, with the summit in the background.

Mr. Ritschard was impressed with our students: "We were moving up the mountain at a pretty steady pace, and the students were just laughing and talking and walking along like the hike was no big deal," he noted. "At one point I was thinking, 'Are these our students or did we pick up a group of mountain goats?'"  "Even toward the top where it got pretty steep, they just kept going. Mr Euler set the stage for us at the beginning of the hike by reminding us to 'Have a great attitude at altitude,' and the students really lived up to that."

It's hard to tell: Mr Euler may be refreshing his cologne. With him at the summit are Isaiah, Lisa, Sydney, Becca, and Patrick.