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, winemaker, 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.

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.

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.

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.