On our annual backpacking trip, my friends and I decided to do a shorter hike then we normally do. Only about 2 miles this year. We drove to the trail head which was around 10,500 feet, did our hike and we pitched our tents around 12,000 feet in the Colorado high country. We stayed two nights. The first night I was striken with a serious case of altitude sickness. Big headache, nausea, overall feeling like crap, and couldn't get enough oxygen in my system. I went to bed early and laid still in my tent and suffered through it and felt better the next morning. I was drinking plenty of water, in fact, almost too much. I had to get up and pee 5 times during the night! Anyway, glad that part is over.
The next day, we were visited by a family of mountain goats of around 8 to 10 members from young to old. They were not afraid of us in the least. In fact, they stood within feet of us stomping their front hooves. We however did not yield and they left us alone. But I was able to get some very close pics of them. I have since learned that these goats are not native to Colorado. They were introduced in the 1940's by the division of wildlife. For what reason I do not know. They are very impressive to watch as they run gracefully across any type of rock terrain or contour. They do not hesitate or look where they run, they just glide across the rocks without effort. Even the little young one would keep up with the adults.
These goats are not very tall, only about 3 to 4 feet at the shoulders. It was interesting to photograph them. It seemed like sometimes they were posing for me. This particular goat was not afraid of me at all. It was quite fun watching and taking pictures of these goats.
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