ATTEMPT ON WHEELER PEAK, GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK.

THERE IT IS - WHEELER PEAK, THE FLAT TOPPED MOUNTAIN ON THE RIGHT -LOOKS A LONG WAY AWAY!

We set off reasonably early for us to have a crack at the 13,063ft Wheeler Peak. The trail-head started at 10,160ft it was quite pretty at first but then we started to climb and the trail got worse, big rocks at times, Wheeler Peak is not a pretty mountain, just a huge lump of bare rock after you leave the tree line. I was doing OK and had only just got a bit of a headache as we crossed the saddle with two stone shelters. Up again and the trail deteriorated even more, Roy said he thought we had gone far enough, so we waited for a man to reach us coming down to ask if he had one of those fancy phones with the elevation on, he was an Aussie and he had an all singing , all dancing watch and told us we were at 12,342ft. He said the trail near the summit had snow and ice on.

It meant we only had 718 ft more to climb but believe me when you looked up at what was left it would have taken at least another hour and I agreed with Roy, so we turned around and went back to the shelter for lunch.

As we ate Roy said, no regrets, bless him, I think he turned back because of me but then the poor man does have all the gear to carry up so perhaps he’d had enough!

Quite a challenge for two oldies, we had climbed 2,182 ft and given it our best shot!

 THE SUMMIT ON THE RIGHT

THAT'S IT - TIME TO TURN AROUND

NOT THE EASIEST OF TRAILS AND THIS IS WHERE IT ENDED FOR US

BACK DOWN THE TRAIL FOR LUNCH AND NO REGRETS!

WHEELER PEAK ON THE RIGHT - WE GOT TO JUST BELOW THE LAST UPHILL TO THE FLAT TOP