Alan's cell phone didn't switch to the correct time so we ended up getting up at 3:00 AM rather than 4 providing us with about 4 hours of sleep. Oh well. We tore down camp, geared up, and started up the trail. It began rather steep and rocky. I had no intention of busting my balls to ascend the peak really fast at 3:30 AM. I set a pace that wasn't too exerting that I could maintain for 4 miles ascending nearly 3000'. The grade lessened as we got higher. We were both surprised when we reached the top. It certainly hadn't felt like I'd hike 4 miles. Our 3000' ascent ended up taking 1 hr and 57 minutes which is pretty good time. The sign said it'd take 6-8 hours for a round trip. It was a little chillier and breezy atop the mountain. I was glad we ascended in the dark because it surely wouldn't have been as easy in the heat. We set up and spent the next couple of hours hopping around the mountain top taking pictures. It was truly spectacular watching the sun slowly cast a red haze through the atmosphere and light the mountains and salt plain far below. The view was very nice. You could see forever. After many pictures, I finally bored of the mountaintop. We descended in about 1.5 hours completing the 8.4 mile loop and headed to Carlsbad Caverns. To Carlsbad Caverns
Guadalupe
View from atop Guadalupe Peak.
Alan setting up his tripod.
Guadalupe
You can barely make out the volcanic cones in the distance.
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Guadalupe
The sun kissed view of Guadalupe Peak.
Looking down from Guadalupe Peak.
Guadalupe
I really liked this distant mountain range.
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El Capitan!
Alan standing at the tip-top of Guadalupe Peak.
Guadalupe
The peak marker.
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Guadalupe
Alan photographing the peak marker.
Guadalupe
El Capitan!
Guadalupe
Looking towards the horizon from Guadalupe Peak.
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Guadalupe
Slightly zoomed out.
El Capitan!
Guadalupe
Alan resting on the top of Guadalupe Peak.
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Guadalupe
Looking up at El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak.
Looking up at El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak.
Guadalupe
Looking up at El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak.
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Guadalupe
Looking up at El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak.