Sardine Sleep. Snow. Sopris. Summit? (An Alumni Adventure)

The Story of a Mt. Sopris Alumni Adventure Told One Word, One Laugh, and One Challenge at a Time

Written by Shira Nathan, Cottonwood Alum. From May 21st through 24th, as per annual tradition, a group of Cottonwood alumni set out on their summer trip: this year, to backpack Thomas Lake Trail and attempt to summit Mt. Sopris! Over the course of four days, the group laughed, navigated gear mishaps and snowed-out trails, learned plant families, played games, and hiked 13 miles round trip. Inspired by a post-summit-attempt discussion, and the newly invented game “Neanderthal Word Assassin,” here is a stylized summary of the adventure.

Thursday, 5/21:

Gear. Drive. Tree on top of tree! Is it more potato or more mountain? More top hat than anything else. Ranger station. Sopris! Scary, but stunning. Prince Creek. Problem: tiny tent. Solution? Sardine sleep. Bunny hat. Curry. Plant family uno. Fishbowl. Bed!

Friday, 5/22:

Pack up. Need fuel. Gear run. Trailhead friends, Luna the dog. See Sopris; tall! Band name ideas. Trail time. Gorgeous magical wonderful. Aspens, meadows. Tasty dock plant, even tastier Pita lunch. Snow! And even more snow! Arrive at lakes, make camp. Scout area. Mirrored mountains in water, tantalizing tallis field, little lake sit. Summit plans. Dinner (beans and rice), fire. Alpine start: sleep time!

Saturday, 5/23:

4 a.m. Dark. Cold. Snow. Map. Where? Search. Find. Up. Follow footprints. Admire views, tracks (fairly recent weasel). Forge. Up. Up. Mountains galore! Health check. Change of plans. Team 1 hold down the fort, team 2 to the ridge line. Intense incline. Wow! National geographic level. Wave goodbye to summit, return to team 1. Charcuterie and camaraderie. Safe sliding. Shaky leg descent. Postholes. Wet, cold. Refried bean, refried bean, where oh where has refried been! Victorious return. Naps galore. Conversation, games, delicious PoCheCho dinner. Hit the hay.

Sunday, 5/24:

Pack up. Sit spot. Moss couch; must return! Goodbye Thomas Lake. Trail time. Camouflage, plant ID. Beautiful! Hungry. Did it! Burritos. “Niche” Park, predator vs prey. Drive, return. Highs, Lows, Buffalos. Hooray!