Ten minutes from the top, I met the threesome I had spotted from Browns' east-northeast saddle, and we exchanged the usual pleasantries. I advised them against descending Huron's southwestern slopes, and we wished each other happy trails. I had begun descending the jeep trail into Lulu Gulch, and was enjoying a brief rest stop at about 11,900 feet when it started. In a futile effort to make it stop, I immediately donned my rain jacket, and started down again. As I descended, the snow pellets gradually changed to rain, and it continued to rain until I was perhaps five minutes from my truck.
Mountain climbing entails certain risks and can be a dangerous activity.
Many Colorado peaks have seen climbing fatalities. The most common factors in mountaineering accidents are poor judgement, inadequate physical conditioning and improper equipment. When faced with bad weather, fatigue or terrain that may be beyond your abilities, turn back. The mountain will still be there when you're stronger, more experienced or better-equipped for another attempt. Many accidents occur while a party is descending from the summit.