This climb of Tabeguache Peak (pronounced TAB-a-watch) on July 19, 2021 was my second trip tagging along with the group of men from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish (FSSP) in Littleton, CO. Last year was Uncompahgre Peak. (Un-come-PAH-gray) For over a decade now, they have climbed a 14er every summer along with their pastor Fr. Jackson FSSP, who celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass on the summit. A couple of weeks ago Fr. Jackson informed the group that he was unable to come along this year. During Mass on Sunday (7/18/21) it was announced that he is being transferred to Rhode Island, thus revealing the reason he could not come along. After 15 years in Littleton, he would be too busy making arrangements for his move to join us. Louis, our group leader had secured another priest, Fr, Ciucci, to come with us, Deo Gratias! This would be the first time in the group's history that the summit Mass would be in the Novus Ordo (more on that later), instead of a Traditional Latin Mass.
After Mass on Sunday, we drove out to the trailhead past Salida, CO. Our plan was to hike up from our trailhead at 10,500 feet about a mile through the forest, then find a place to camp so we could get up early the next morning to begin the climb. Which is exactly what we did.
We were all packed up and on the move by 6:15 Monday morning. Coincidentally, I had climbed Tabeguache by this exact same route less than a year ago in September 2020. So I was dubbed the un-official guide for the group.
As we approach treeline, this is looking back at the first direct sunlight of the day.
Having reached the 12,600 foot saddle between Tabeguache Peak and Carbonate Mountain, it seemed like a good time to take a breather, have a snack, and look at the un-named point 13,936 which we must first gain.
Since we were heading east into the sun, many times we had to shield our eyes in order to look for trail segments. This is a non-standard, seldom used route so the route-finding skills needed were considerable.
Father Ciucci is making his way up Point 13,936.
Having gained the 13er, there is still quite a way to go, about a mile of up and down over many bumps along the ridge. But at least now the summit of Tabeguache is in view, right there in the middle.
Summit reached! Group photo time. Side note: That head got sunburned 2 days earlier while at the shooting range, not on the climb.
Now that everyone is on top, an altar was built on top of the existing wind shelter, and readied for Mass.
Many thanks to Father for coming along and keeping the tradition of a 14er Mass alive. He celebrated a Novus Ordo Mass ad orientem (as it should be) and much of It in Latin (as it should be).
Oh Beautiful, for Spacious Skies...
Heading down, and taking our time since the weather was so great.
When you see a little spot of grass up that high, you got to take it!
Then we packed up our camp, hiked out, and drove home.