A Return to Mount Belford (Plus Climbing Oxford)

[Scott P]

The Plan

My son Kessler and I wanted to do a few peaks for Labor Day weekend. It was decided that Belford, Oxford, and Missouri would be a good choice. The peaks are technically easy, but lots of elevation gain (7500 feet) would give us plenty of practice for our upcoming Peru trip.

Labor Day weekend 2007 was not our first attempt to climb Mount Belford. On July 2-4 in 2005, we had attempted Belford when Kessler was three years old. (See Trip Report). Two years ago, we had to turn back at 13,750 feet, very close to the summit, due to gathering storm clouds.



Nearing the summit of Belford in September 2007.




Not far from the summit of Belford in July 2005.




This time Kessler was five and we would try a more ambitious project. We would not only attempt Mount Belford again, but attempt Mount Oxford and Missouri Mountain as well, all over 14,000 feet (4300 meters).

Friday night we packed up and were off to the trailhead and ready to climb the peaks. After dark we found a campsite and lay down for the night.

Note: See also the Trip Album for more photos of this trip.

Trip Album
Day 1, September 1 2007:

After waking up, we noticed a problem right away when we tried to cook breakfast. The stove fuel had been left at home. Since our food required cooking for the next three days, we would have to backtrack and buy either fuel for the stove or food that didn