Thanks everyone, it is great to finally join the long list of prestigous Lake county completers. Most of you are probably like "Yawn, big deal Steve completes another list".
I do enjoy the county lists very much, it provides a good short-term goal and gets you into interesting areas you might not otherwise visit. It has been a good year, I'm now done with completions until 2014. Custer may be next, we'll see.
There are many fine peaks in Lake county, another list I've been working on since 1991 when I first climbed Mt. Elbert. No special favorites, they are all great hikes. 90% of the 47 ranked summits are above 12k, pretty impressive. I'd have to say Massive holds a special appeal, with the amazing height and breadth of the mountain it dominates the scene from nearly all points in the county. Though I've only climbed it three times, each climb was memorable including the last one starting on Oklahoma and finishing on Massive which was awesome. Deer and K49 were fun in the snow and great peaks to finish on. Does anybody know where the name "K49" comes from?
Mike, thanks for the kind words and for joining me on this day. I always enjoy the hikes we do, and I appreciate you doing the repeats to join me. Nice to see Kevin and Sarah again too, fellow midwestern transplants unite! Susan, how true and Mike is one of the best friends anyone could ask for. Brian, yes I do need to get up to your back yard again soon. Most of my closest unclimbed peaks are now in Larimer. It was nice to visit Cameron pass a few weeks ago and take the long tour up Poudre canyon, past all those peaks.
Climb on everyone, see you in the hills!