29/06/2026
Do you recognize this place? It's one of the most remote & difficult 14ers Colorado has to offer. This San Juan Mountain adventure begins as you fly into Montrose, drive an hour to Ouray, two more to Durango, & take a 2-hour train ride to Needleton, CO. You hike 6 miles to Chicago Basin with your 50 pound pack of supplies, rest. The following day you climb Sunlight & Windom Peak. Rest again until 1:30 AM and summit Mt. Eolus and North Eolus to make it back by 2:40 PM to board the train home.
Your favorite celebrated another year in places that are rare, remote, and experienced by so few. Mountains of this scale have a way of testing your limits, rewarding your perseverance, and reminding you how small you are in the best possible way.
Birthdays aren't just about counting years—they're about honoring the mountains you've climbed to get here remembering that the hardest mountains aren't always made of rock. Every steep climb has a purpose, every setback builds strength, and every summit is earned one step at a time. Here's to celebrating not just another trip around the sun, but every challenge conquered along the way. Another year of seeking the extraordinary, embracing the challenge, and going where few ever get the chance to stand. Happy Birthday Dr. Ramirez, you continue to amaze us every day!!! 🏔️🎉
