One for Dennis, Fifteen for Me
Pardon the cliche but you could say Dennis Scholl 'wears lots of hats.' Today it was actually a helmet.
A trip up Pyramid Peak has become an annual tradition through the years. Some days I’ve reached the summit with a group of friends, other days I’ve gone up solo in an effort to move fast, a couple of jaunts have been as a means to celebrate Christy’s or my birthday and twice I’ve been on skis. 
While the circumstances of each trip vary, every day up on Pyramid was a memorable one.
Saturday was no exception. Dennis Scholl and I made it to the top of the 14,018 foot peak, the first time for the Miami based art collector, wine maker, philanthropist and Colorado peak bagger– and the fifteenth for me. Different from my first visit here back in 1997, was that when Scott Hicks led me to the summit on that day it represented my first 14er. For Dennis, Pyramid Peak was #36 on his list.
Panorama with the upper part of the Northeast Ridge Route marked. Click all pictures to enlarge.
Petty differences aside, it was a great day, albeit a slow one as Dennis isn’t really part of the “light & fast” camp. The fast part is lacking thanks to his primary residence being in Florida and the light part, well, let’s just say Dennis carries a full load. Put it all together and it shows what a little determination can overcome. And just as an example of that, today represented a training opportunity for his grueling “doubler” run at Pikes Peak two weeks from now, that is, completing the Pikes Peak Ascent and following it up with the full up-and-down Pikes Peak Marathon the next day. Good luck with that D but more importantly, good for you.
Taking the "Leap of Faith."
I always like seeing and hearing of people setting goals and going for it, and not giving in without at least putting forth a good effort. It’s true that talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. When I tell people that I’m going on a trip with Dennis, as we’ve now climbed nine peaks together, I love it that they often seem surprised he’s done so much or that he even does it at all.
After today, only the Maroon Bells (pictured behind) remain for Dennis to have bagged all six Elk Range 14ers.
And while he could probably tone down his “I’m going to summit them all or die trying” rhetoric, and if you can get past the general concerns of his slow pace and high respiratory rate and quit wondering if he’s going to make it through at all, it’s rather inspiring.
Good luck at Pikes Peak and on the rest of the list.
Hey Ted,
Nice bit of writing about Dennis. I’d have come along, except I made a deal with Susan: no more exposed 14ers.
Enjoyed your Ama Dablan slide show. When you told me about it, “fixed ropes”, it sounded almost
routine. The pictures tell a different story. Congratulations to both of you on that ascent, good luck
on the ultimate adventure: marriage!
Cheers
Nice work Dennis! I think you are going to have to snowboard one this winter! Congrats, Christy
John- It’s just a matter of time before Dennis has a similar contract with Debra concerning exposure.
Glad you made the slideshow– I guess I have a tendency to understate things and likely made the Ama Dablam climb sound pretty routine. Your deal with Susan would definitely have to be broken to get up there.
ted
do they serve lobster tails and chilled chardonay @ any of the rest stops ?
it was a good day, albeit a very slow one.. poor ted was like one of those dogs on the trial that runs up ahead of you then back and then up again.. meanwhile i plodded along.. good to have this one off the list.. doubt there will ever be a dennis – 2 times up pyramid- post here.. my feet still hurt.. dennis
unfortunately, no pikes peak double for me.. after a great start in the ascent, i started cramping in the 80 degree heat. i spent the next three hours walking ten steps and try ing to stretch out the cramps.. if it wasn’t for the s caps you gave me i don’t think i would have even finished.. hey a finish is a finish, my 6 th pikes peak..
i was cramped all night and couldn’t get rehydrated no matter how hard i tried.. so the marathon on sun day was not in the cards.. ( and debra laid down the law)…
these races have my number! maybe next year..
in the meantime, good luck in the leadville 100!!!!!!!
We were sorry to hear the marathon didn’t happen. It wasn’t for a lack of effort.
T & C