Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

 December 14, 2009 by TxCachePotatoes

I've been wanting to climb to the top of Texas for some time now and needing a special cache for find 500, this one was the obvious top choice. I planned to make the most of the adventure and got my permit for camping at the highest campsite in Texas, just below the peak before heading up on a beautifully sunny, but very windy Sunday. After setting up camp, I wanted to head up to the peak for sunset and wait for the stars to come out. Without a cloud in the sky, and the height of the peak, I wanted to feel "in" the stars. As I neared the summit and twilight was setting in, I had to make a judgement and headed back down to camp. The trails were covered with snow making the path a little bit difficult to discern and there was plenty of ice that I slipped on more than once. Not wanting to lay up there all night with a broken what not, I would have to make a second attempt for a sunrise summit. And so it was that I battened down for the night with winds gusting 30-50 mph. Some of the winds in the night were so strong I could feel the tent/sleeping pad vibrate under my body's weight as if the ground were trembling even. The view was spectacular though and I oriented the tent's vestibule so I could watch the desert valley below from my high mountain perch. The 18 wheelers looked like little ants working their way along a path in the night, only their headlights/tail lights visible. Come morning, I hit the trail and hiked by starlight. The southeast sky barely becoming a salmon sliver of light as I made my way through the snow covered switchbacks among the high forest of pines. Then I cleared the trees and a magical moment happened as I paused to see the sun peek over the horizon, feeling it's warmth wash over me. As soon as I turned from it to complete my climb, I could see the summit monument just above me, a gleaming beacon in the dawn's light! Yay!... I made it.. to the top of Texas and my 500th find! It was an awesome moment! The temperature was 34 on the summit and I recorded a gust of 37 mph, but winds were more about 20 mph constant. Luckily, the sunlit side of the monument was also the wind sheltered side and made a nice spot for pictures and signing the (non-geocaching) log at the summit. Wind chill on the "warm side" of the monument was a tolerable 30, so I was able to stay for a bit and take everything in. REALLY enjoyed this experience and being able to tie my loves of hiking, adventure, camping, and geocaching together into one special event like this makes it all the sweeter. Dipping a few personal trackables that made the summit with me. Thanks for the cache and memories!

View This Log

High camp Don't fall Big Potatoe at the summit Geocoins at Guadalupe Peak As requested, GPS at the Peak D'oh! TxCachePotatoes and GPS at the peak Sunrise on the summit Twilight turnaround "Hi"