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20th Anniversary 9/11 Incline Climb
There was a big turn out for 9/11 Manitou Incline tribute climb on the 20th anniversary of the attack. With the temperature climbing into the mid-90s, it was an extra challenging climb.
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Firefighters 9/11 Tribute Climb 2019
412 first responders, including 343 firefighters, died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. For the 4th year, Tech Sgt. RJ Gerry from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Fire Department organized a 9/11 tribute climb of the Manitou Incline. RJ knew 2 of the firefighters that lost their lives on 9/11.
Several of them climbed with about 60 pounds of gear. It wasn’t quite as hot as it was for the 2018 9/11 tribute climb but it was still quite warm. Local news stations covered the climb and Fox 21’s Lauren McDonald made the entire climb in a fireman suit.
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Firefighters 9/11 Tribute Climb 2018
RJ Gerry, a firefighter at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, once again organized a 9/11 tribute climb up the Manitou Incline on 9/11/18. In addition to firefighters in bunker gear, two Air Force wildland firefighters and 18 Fort Carson soldiers made the climb up the Incline.
Not only were the firefighters carrying 60+ pounds of gear but it was in record breaking heat. The high for the day was 90 degrees which broke the previous record set in 1895. The Incline climb was a tough feat but first responders are out in their communities giving their best all year long.
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Manitou Incline Phase 3 Repair Photos
Photos of the Incline repairs from the false summit to the top. The Incline re-opened on November 22nd, 2017. These photos were taken about a week before the re-opening when Timberline Landscaping was doing the final touches.
2018 Manitou Incline wall calendars are available now. Click here.
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2018 Manitou Incline Calendars
2018 Manitou Incline calendars are now available for ordering. $3 from each calendar will be donated to the Incline Friends.
For more information and to order now, go to the 2018 Manitou Incline calendar order page.
Enjoy the photos but a calendar isn’t your thing? Use coupon code calendar2018 to get 25% off photos here.
July Fourth Fireworks 2016
The Manitou Springs Fire Department sets off Fourth of July fireworks from Higginbotham Flats. Most people watch the parade on Manitou Avenue and then enjoy the firework show. The Manitou Incline is also a cool place to watch them. You do need to head up the Incline by 8 PM though to keep from breaking the rules.
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Manitou Incline Photos
I’ve had some requests for some of the photos I’ve shared on the Manitou Incline Hike Facebook page recently. Manitou Incline photos are now available for purchase on my UltraRob photo site.
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Manitou Incline Repairs Update
Update 12/1/14: The Manitou Incline will reopen at 10 AM on Friday, December 5th.
A lot of work has been done on the Incline over the last couple months. Much of it has been to reduce the erosion issues along the side of the ties. On the steep section where the ties were in the worst condition, a section has been replaced with new timbers. The new timbers are anchored into the mountain side to reduce the chance they’ll slide down the slope.
Below you can see photos of some of the work done around the Barr bail trail. Note: these photos are courtesy of the Colorado Springs Park and Rec department and the Incline is still closed to the public during repairs.
The cold and snow last week slowed progress on the repairs. Not only does bad weather make it hard for the crews to work on the Incline but it affects scheduling of the helicopter that is being used to lift gravel and supplies up to the work site. The helicopter is only available when it’s not being used on its primary contracts with other companies.
I spoke with the project manager, Sarah Bryarly, last week. She said the crew from Timberline Landscaping is working hard to stay on schedule. However, she thought that it’s unlikely the Incline will open on December 1st but she expects that it’ll still be sometime the first week of December.
Want to be one of the first few up the Incline to see the repairs? The Incline Friends are offering an opportunity to the first 30 people who donate $250 or more to the Incline through the Indy Give! campaign to get to climb the Incline a day early, before the official re-opening! Giving through Indy Give! also makes your donation go farther through matching funds.
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Possible 2015 Incline Calendar Photos
Update 11-24-14: 2015 Manitou Incline calendars can be ordered here.
2014 is coming to a close and 2015 will be here before long. I’m a little behind schedule but I’m finalizing the 2015 Manitou Incline calendar and will have it available the beginning of December.
Below are some photos that may be on the 2015 Incline calendar. You can give your input on what you’d like to see on the calendar by liking or commenting on them over on the Manitou Incline Hike page.
Have a photo you think is worthy of being on the calendar? Share it and if I use it you’ll get a free calendar. For photos to be used on the calendar, they need to be shot horizontal and available in high resolution. Most camera pics aren’t high enough resolution.
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Manitou Incline Erosion from Summer Rains
Heavy rains in the Pikes Peak region the last few weeks have created rumors that the Manitou Incline is closed because of the rain. The rains haven’t closed the Incline but a plan to close the Incline for repairs was announced earlier this year. The current unofficial plan is for it to close on August 18th, 2014 for about 4 months. More details on the Incline closure and repairs is here.
Although the plan is for the Incline to be open until August 18th, it would be best not to wait until the final weekend to hike it. The Pikes Peak Ascent is on August 16th and the Pikes Peak marathon is on the 17th so Manitou and Barr Trail will be crowded that weekend.
I hiked the Incline on July 23, 2014. I’ve been focused on training for the Leadville 100 mountain bike race so haven’t been hiking the Incline much this summer. There has been considerable erosion since I last hiked it the beginning of the summer.
Most of the damage has been in the gullies along the sides of the Incline and not to the ties themselves. There were a few more ties missing and the gullies are cutting under the end of several of the ties. This was the first time I’ve seen the pipeline for the hydro plant exposed above the Barr bail trail.
We all love the rugged, jumbled character of the Incline and don’t want to see it changed. However, it won’t stay the same as it’s constantly eroding. Take a look at the old photos on the Incline closure page. It’s clear that repairs need to be made so we can continue challenging ourselves on the Incline for years to come.
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