Latest Update (2010-03-01): Daniel's success on a snowy El Capitan leave only two peaks left to visit before he completes the Texas 8000! Bartlett Peak & Shumard Peak are both relatively remote in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, with no true trails leading to their summits. The current plans are to make an attempt at both of them this Spring, but as they say: "The best laid plans of mice and climbers..."

"For anyone that hasn't been out to the mountains of West Texas, you're missing out. My first foray into the area was a trip to Big Bend National Park with my family in the late 1980s; the rock-hopping, gorgeous views, odd plants and interesting animals were fascinating to me! Since then, I've taken hikes and trips to the other ranges in the region to experience all that they have to offer."

"The highest set of mountains in the state are between 7,000' and 8,000', split between two ranges: the Guadalupes and the Davis Mountains. After a successful ascent of Guadalupe Peak (8,751')in December 2002, I gazed onto six other of Texas' 8000-ers. It was then that I decided to try to climb all nine. While each peak presents its own unique character and challenges, they all offer a level of beauty and isolation that can't be matched."

"Go before Him into a desert place and see the wonder of His works..." --St. Ephrem of Syria