Born Again
June 18, 1972
My father, Lannon Taylor, was born May 12, 1954 but says his life began on June 18, 1972. The day he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
My father was raised in an abusive household. His mother, Thelma Louise, was an extreme alcoholic and raging drunk. She died at age 54 from cirrhosis of the liver, a disease often brought forth by excessive alcohol consumption.
The linear scars on my father’s scalp, which has been shaved head since he was a young tot to disguise his black natural curls, bears witness to his unfortunate childhood. His mother, when under the influence, would smash beer bottles over his head, consequently slicing his skin.
My grandfather, Willie Taylor, was a WW2 veteran and traveling minor league baseball player, hoping to make it to the major leagues. Fonder memories from my father’s childhood consist of him and his younger brother, Kalin, sleeping in hotel dresser drawers while on tour for the minor leagues. But when my grandfather was on the road and my father and uncle at home, the two were left to fend for themselves against an unfit mother.
So although my father was physically born on May 12, 1954, Lannon Taylor’s life began when he, in a desperate attempt to leave his childhood behind, took to the lifelong brotherhood of the U.S.M.C. on June 18, 1972, just one month and six days after his 18th birthday.
August 29, 2008
As for me, although my birthday is just two days after Christmas, I say I was born August 29, 2008. The day I climbed 14,115’ Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, CO.
Unlike my father, there was nothing fundamentally wrong with my childhood. I was raised in loving and healthy households with parents who encouraged playing outside, extracurricular activities, and worked hard to ensure my basic needs (plus more) were met.
But by the time I was 23, I was feeling unfulfilled. By this point, I had tried a couple colleges, the military, and had become a personal trainer. In full transparency, it probably didn’t help that my parents refused to send me to the trade school post-high school that I actually wanted to go to. So a bit unfulfilled and perhaps direction-less, I turn to my then boyfriend, Steve, and said, “I want to do something epic, like run a marathon or do an Iron Man.” With little delay, he turned to me and said, “If I were you, I’d climb a mountain.”
So I climbed a mountain on August 29, 2008!
And Steve joined me.
Being from Kansas, the only mountain I knew of was Pikes Peak. Solely because my uncle David lived in Colorado Springs and I specifically remember visiting him for one week when I was around nine years old and he took me hiking on the foothills of Pikes Peak.
Mine and Steve’s hike was 12 miles to the summit with a 7,800’ elevation gain. We began at 4:00am with daypacks full of snacks and plastic water bottles. We took a much needed break halfway up at Barr Camp and then summited the 14,115’ mountain around 2:00pm.
I genuinely loved every step of the way. From the early morning wakeup to the snow flurries up top, the mountain was the playground I never knew I needed. Steve? Worst day of his life. Swore the United States Forest Service installed incorrect mile markers, threw rocks off the mountain, cursed the Gods, yelled “Why me” to the overcast skies, sobbed real tears while laying face down, and ultimately demanded that the rangers come rescue him on horseback. They didn’t.
Mountain climbing was not Steve’s forte. But for me? I had just found something that I not only thoroughly enjoyed but that I also excelled in…comparatively speaking. So much so, that I chose to climb another 14,000’ peak just two days later and this time - on my own.
Not too long after my Pikes Peak experience, I attended college for mountain guiding at Southern Utah University. I also completed my internship at Alaska Mountain Guides, hiked the Appalachian Trail for my practicum, and have gone on to climb over 30 of Colorado’s 54 14,000’ mountains - aka “fourteeners”. In addition to so many other mountain-related adventures, since 2008, I’ve never left the outdoor career field. So though my birthdate is December 27, 1984, I prefer to take a chapter out of my father’s book and say that I was born the day I summited my first fourteener on August 29, 2008.
Steve and I rode the Pikes Peak Cog Railway down. We purchased train tickets at the summit souvenir shop and restaurant. Looking back, it was the perfect decision.
Pikes Peak for You
I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to climb a mountain. Especially if you are seeking a personal re-birth or feeling a bit unsatisfied and underwhelmed in life. I definitely recommend climbing a mountain if you find yourself to be a tad like me and are wanting to achieve something epic - like a marathon or Iron Man…
But I also won’t encourage just any mountain because not all mountains are created equal, and I would hate for you to find yourself in an unfortunate situation. I recommend the gentle giant Pikes Peak, and because I’ve climbed Pikes Peak and only 50% of my party had a grand time, I’ve created what I believe to be the best itinerary for the mountain. Because if you’re going to climb a goddamn mountain, you may as well enjoy the journey!
Pikes Peak 2-Day Itinerary: June to September.
Day 1: Barr Trailhead to Barr Camp = 6 miles
Leave the trailhead by 8:00am! It is common to ascend mountains at one mile per hour.
Pack three liters of water, snacks, and a lunch. Eat lunch along the way.
Arrive to Barr Camp by 4:00pm. Reserve a bunkbed, cabin, or lean-to ahead of time. Mattresses are included. You can also pitch a tent.
You must bring a sleeping bag and headlamp. Though Barr Camp has a wood stove, there is no permanent heat or electricity.
Sign the visitor log upon arrival!
Enjoy the spaghetti dinner at 6:00pm sharp for an additional $15.
Drift to sleep halfway up the mountain at 10,200’. Congrats on day 1!
Day 2: Barr Camp to Summit to Train = 6 miles
Enjoy your included pancake breakfast at 7:00am sharp! Have all your belongings ready to go.
With three liters of water and snacks, hike the last six miles to the summit.
Celebrate at the summit sign with a summit beer!
Eat lunch at the summit restaurant.
Kick up those feet and ride the Cog Railway back down to your car for $58 per ticket. Purchase your ticket in advance and for the latest departure time possible.
Summits can be cold and receive rain and snow mid-summer. Be sure to pack a jacket, hat, gloves, and poncho!
Congratulations on your summit!
Pikes Peak 3-Day Itinerary: June to September
Please note that inclement weather can affect train operations, so here is an equally awesome alternative that turns this 2-day itinerary into a 3-day itinerary:
Instead of taking the train down, return the six miles to Barr Camp for a second spaghetti dinner, cozy night in the cabin, and pancake breakfast!
On day three and after breakfast, leisurely descend the final six miles to your car.
Treat yourself to a much-deserved beer and lunch in Manitou Springs thereafter!
To be logistically safe AND fun, you could use the 3-day itinerary as Plan A , then if the trains are operating when you summit, you could hop on a train down if you want! I believe that Barr Camp is necessary for the best Pikes Peak experience. I believe the Cog Railway is simply an added bonus!
To further plan your Pikes Peak experience and reserve your bunk at Barr Camp, please visit https://barrcamp.com/
Happy re-birth day,
Belay
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