DENVER — A man in an ice cream cone costume climbed Huron Peak, one of Colorado’s more than 50 mountains above 14,000 feet, and handed out frozen treats to fellow hikers at the summit during the Labor Day weekend.
The climber, who has not been identified, carried a roughly 60-pound pack that hikers said contained ice cream sandwiches, bars and dry ice to keep the desserts frozen. He was at the top of Huron Peak on Aug. 31 and, according to hikers who spoke about the encounter, sat in a camping chair, offered treats and chatted with those who reached the summit.
Blaine Griffin, who was about three-quarters of the way up the mountain when other climbers told him about the spectacle, said he and his wife, Katie, hurried on in case the ice cream ran out. "Eventually we got up to the top of the mountain and, tired, hot, thirsty and didn’t know it, but ice cream was just kind of what we wanted," Griffin said. The couple shared ice cream sandwiches with leftover pizza they had carried for the hike.
Christopher Whitestone said his children, Olivia, 11, and Owen, 8, went straight to the man when they reached the summit. "It definitely leaves a lasting impression for my kids as a very positive experience," Whitestone said, while also telling them not to expect the same on every climb.
Photos circulating on social media showed the man wearing sunglasses with a fake mustache attached and a beer tucked into his chair’s armrest. Members of an online group devoted to climbing Colorado’s "14ers" praised the stunt, with one member dubbing him "legend dairy." Some also marveled at the difficulty of carrying such a heavy pack at altitude, where thin air can make strenuous climbs more taxing.
Ric Rosenkranz of Las Vegas said the ice cream had already been distributed by the time he and his wife, Sara, reached the top. He said he appreciated the lighthearted moment amid an activity often framed around achievement. "He provided a nice reminder of just enjoying the moment," Rosenkranz said, "just really making it fun, not taking it more seriously than it needs to be and just spending time with his fellow hikers."
Griffin said he later saw the man descending the mountain without the costume, a sight that suggested the climber was familiar with the route. Other hikers reported that the ice cream supplies had run out by the time they arrived, but the encounter continued to be shared and celebrated on social media.
Huron Peak, located in south-central Colorado, is considered a moderate climb among the state's "14ers" but still presents challenges related to elevation and weather. The surprise distribution of frozen treats added an unusual, convivial note to the holiday weekend for those who made the summit and for others who heard about the impromptu summit-side concession.
Organizers of no official group have claimed responsibility for the event, and the climber remained unidentified in accounts from hikers. The incident drew attention online for its novelty and for the small moment of camaraderie it provided on a popular high-elevation hike.