3 People & 3 Dogs in a Van | Climbing Colorado’s Highest Mountain

#mountelbert #mountainclimbing #dogs #hikingwithdogs #colorado #nationalforest #outthere #travel #hiking #14er #summit #wildlife #peak
This is an adventure we’ve been wanting to go on for a long time! First, it involves the highest peak in the entire state of Colorado, Mount Elbert, and second, it involves my sister Brenda! Also, this is me, Julie talking. Ben, Brenda, and I drove out to San Isabel National Forest where we camped in the van for a night. Yes, three people and three dogs in the van. It’s a new record!
We ate mac n cheese and tacos, watched a movie, and hit the hay early. The next morning we got up before the buttcrack of dawn, at 3 am to set out on the grueling 10 mile hike to the summit with 4,500 ft elevation gain. It was a beautiful, exhausting, and rewarding journey. And one my sister said she will NEVER do again. All three dogs made the journey with us, and really handled it much better than we did. Watch the full video to see all the highs and lows of the journey, and listen to us explain why we put ourselves through such physically miserable challenges.
This trip could not be possible without the support of our friends, families, and viewers like you! You can also support the channel by becoming a Patreon member.
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You can still get a hold of us at [e-mail] with any questions or if you just want to say hey!

[@bchurchill3551]

You guys have hit your stride at story telling. Wonderful insights. Superb editing. Great balance of humor and learning. Sincere, authentic, real. My favorite video to date. Thanks for dragging us along to another “14”. Can’t wait for the next Out There adventure!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Thanks so much Brian; people seem to be responding well to a bit less editing and little more "raw" footage. Hopefully we can see some real growth over in the new channel

[@gian_justin]

woah! the view is crazy! thanks for bringing us!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Our pleasure!

[@lawman284]

Great job guys!

[@bchurchill3551]

So quick, a new vid… gotta watch and get back here. BRB.

[@jfxl1977]

I just got back home from attending the funeral of one of my favorite family members. She has inspired so many of us in the family to take chances, go the extra mile, really live life and never be afraid to challenge yourself because you never know what you can do unless you try. This video reinforced her worldview to me. I absolutely loved watching this. I relived several memories with her through this last 20 minutes. I really needed this. Thank you for once again putting out a great adventure video, and in this case, for me, offering a little nostalgic trip through my life with an absolutely amazing person who I will miss dearly, but am so happy to have been close to. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@dogcatmanvan]

We're really sorry to hear of her passing; she sounds like one awesome lady. It's hard to take risks and push yourself to uncomfortable challenges, but we really believe you can live a fuller life that way. We're really humbled to be able to offer a similar worldview as her. Thanks always for your support!!

[@lisamillard1272]

Oh my gosh.. over the top physical demands and emotions with Ben so awesome you guys.. thank you for sharing this adventure ❤❤❤

[@dogcatmanvan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@annaredar3763]

Great job all of you !!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I love hooking up with you again. I’m sad that your cat is gone, but life goes on.

[@roannathephoenix8561]

Great inspiration for everyone thinking about trying something new or out of their comfort zone. Bravo you three.

[@valbain209]

WOW! I'm impressed with all 6 of you accomplished climbing the mountain. I'm glad all of you are safe. 🙏😊

[@dogcatmanvan]

Thanks for watching!

[@stevearita3267]

great video...I really felt for you all when climbing up the mtn and also going down...going downhill is much worse!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Oh yeah going down with that much elevation is just as bad as going up haha the pressure on your joints is intense

[@stevearita3267]

@@dogcatmanvan Back in early June, I hiked the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, really did a number on my knees coming down...took me a few weeks to heal...but then again...I got like 40 yrs on your all.

[@allegrosotto2126]

You guys are already superheroes of the true best sort, better than any Hollywood sickos! Bravo!!!!❤

[@dogcatmanvan]

Haha I dont know about that yet but we're trying:)

[@bennyhaa]

I love y'alls videos, highlight of my day every time they are released

[@dogcatmanvan]

Thanks so much for saying so:)

[@FeMelch]

Good work sticking out that climb! I’m proud of all of you. You deserve all the views in the world-can’t understand how y’all haven’t blown up yet!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Maybe one day haha but thanks for watching:)

[@DawnykaH]

Congrats on the climb. Looking forward to your next adventure.

[@dogcatmanvan]

Thank you!

[@pangeyi]

Ben is making me crying after work. 😂

[@dogcatmanvan]

Haha sorry we got you on that one! But thanks for coming back to watch!

[@chrisssmith4]

Awesome guys

[@susantosi695]

That was a hard hike…thanks for letting me go along..from my chair. Ha. Love you!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Haha thanks for watching:)

[@lsilva1544]

Congrats guys!

[@thevigarfeeling]

Hi, we were search places in America to visit when we come and we came across your channel. It was great. We really can’t wait to get to this area. Chelsea and Mike

[@dogcatmanvan]

Oh wow we're thrilled to have come up in your search! Hope you have an awesome trip, where are you coming from?

[@Miles_To_Go]

You guys are awesome! Keep it up!

[@psukinkoty]

Great adventure !!! Good work

[@LawnMowerKelly]

Go go go! Love these adventure videos and your story telling that accompanies them. I’ll be subscribed to both channels 💜

[@dogcatmanvan]

Thanks so much for the support!!

[@thathikingguy]

I am doing this in September Can't wait

[@dogcatmanvan]

Nice that will be fun! Good luck and let us know what you think of it!

[@kylehewitt9832]

Great video!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cblightning6]

More please

[@Biffmin]

Early morning hikes actually seem pretty fun... I need to find some people who would actually want to wake up for one!

[@dogcatmanvan]

Haha yeah it's definitely not for everyone but we generally think it's worth it!

[@karenfranz7262]

👍👍👍👍

[@gregvittore5004]

Niiice ❤

[@SewingBoxDesigns]

That view! I don't see misery in you guys, I see accomplishment that will strengthen you all mentally and physically for the rest of your lives. No bed ridden sponge baths in your futures. After Julie's accident, she could have just sat and done nothing, but she kept going, which I have no doubt helped heal her much better so that there will be no issues later. She had Ben to work that out with her. It's a damn good partnership. Love the stop action drawing animation. I think the mosquitoes were definitely in proper proportion for Colorado. 🤣 Listening to Rally crunch that dog kibble kinda turned my stomach after Ben's dog days, though. 😂

[@dogcatmanvan]

Haha sometimes I still catch a whiff of the dog food and get queezy. And you're right, it's always better to try and get back out there if you can, for both your physical and mental health. It has a lot of healing powers of its own!

[@christinasmindfulmovement]

B has never ever ever been seen on camera so much 😂❤️

[@dogcatmanvan]

So true haha

[@philltwose4088]

Multi tasking ftw woot

[@allieb1621]

Congrats and well done - you all including the dogs did it!!!! It sure did look tough but wow great views Did any other people have dogs with them? Another fantastic video thanks!

[@dogcatmanvan]

I think I remember two other dogs in the 7.5 hours we were out there. Definitley not a ton because it is difficult. I imagine those dogs also do a lot of adventuring like ours!

[@dave72ization]

I've been watching Ur channel for about 2 years now and think it's great but do think going back to Ur old channel name would be a good thing,we all miss archer,maybe u could incorporate his name in to channel as a rememberance to the lil beauty,just a thought but top notch guys please keep it up 👍🐾🐾🐾🐾👊

[@dogcatmanvan]

We've tried transitioning this channel to the new content but it's proven to be very difficult and seems fruitless. We think starting the new channel will give us a clean slate for adventure content, and DogCatManVan will stay here just as a build DIY library for anyone still interested in van builds. Arch will always be a part of DogCat, and he's always with us!

[@denisecafferky2248]

Aaargh, done know why my notifications weren't working. Just found this now. Anyways, fair play, that was an epic achievement x🎉

[@dogcatmanvan]

Sorry about your notifications but thanks for finding the video anyway!!

[@koalaed]

I’m sure it would feel better on more sleep. No way could I do that on 4 hours sleep. I’d be sleeping by 8pm atleast!! Well done guys. You’re inspiring me to get back in to (actually challenging) hiking, it’s been so long!! Thank you for your honesty about being miserable during it 💖

[@dogcatmanvan]

Yeah we always struggle to get to bed early haha we did crash pretty hard by the end of the day after the hike though! Thanks for watching:) Go hit those trails!!

[@koalaed]

@@dogcatmanvan yeah I knos right! It's taken me a couple years to reach my goal of 9.30pm sleep time but in finally there! Yess, I will do. Thank you!

[@Graystreeet]

hiking for me is a lot like getting tattooed. its painful the whole time but the endorphins make me keep coming back

[@dogcatmanvan]

That's spot on!

[@SethNeal]

Type 2 Fun!!! In some ways, its the best kind of fun! As long as you have lots of Type 1 Fun in your life too. Question, do the dogs HAVE to be on a leash? If so, that makes me sad.

[@dogcatmanvan]

Yeah the dogs have to be on a leash for this particular hike. I dont know how much they enforce it, but we've been to other trails in the state that issue fines for dogs off leash. I think it's mostly because of restoration areas and they dont want dogs destroying vegetation

[@tegucigalpa2]

Very cool! Can one bike on this trail?

[@dogcatmanvan]

They do allow mountain bikes up Mount Elbert however I think you use the South trailhead approach instead of the North trailhead we used!

[@garycameron1]

Can somebody please explain to me if they know....this mountain is 14,400 ft above sea level yet Julie mentions that the hike only has 4,500 ft in elevation. Does that mean the base of the mountain starts at around 10,000 ft above sea level?

[@dogcatmanvan]

You're exactly right! A lot of the land in Colorado and other mountain states is already higher than sea level. The closer you get to the mountains, the more elevation you climb. For Mount Elbert, you drive up a lot of elevation and start the hiking trail at right about 10,000 ft. For reference, the city of Denver sits at about 5,280 ft

[@sueteran]

Better you than me! (I don’t need no effin pride).

[@hed2410]

Do dogs have trouble in high altitude? I know I have.

[@dogcatmanvan]

I imagine if they were not conditioned to the level of exercise or altitude required for this hike, then it would probably take a greater toll on them. Thankfully our dogs do a lot of climbing with us though and are accustomed to high physical activity

[@joansidor3409]

Elbert. Not Ebert.

[@dogcatmanvan]

tomato tomato :) At least we spelled it right

[@sandraadams4940]

Why do you want to torture yourselves like that? I don't get it. Guess that's why I'm a fat old lady

[@dogcatmanvan]

Use it or lose it! We dont ever want to stop moving and exploring! Plus there's a lot of reward at the end of that struggle