At more than 2.5 miles above sea level and some 14 miles from the nearest road, Kings Peak — Utah's highest point — is a rugged physical challenge for a hiker of any age or condition.
But Richard Pratt, 89, Provo, conquered Kings Peak last month during a five-day backpacking trip that covered a total of 48 miles.
He may be the oldest person to summit Kings under his own power.
"I thought my legs would be the problem, but it was my breathing," Pratt said. "It's rough, but you just keep putting one foot forward."
Pratt hiked to the top on July 27 after walking about three miles from base camp in the Yellowstone Creek drainage, southwest of Kings Peak. Steve Pratt, 60, a son, and three grandsons — Ben Pratt, 30, Chad Van Orman, 28, and Jonathan Pratt, 26 — also hiked to Kings that day to create a three-generation climb from the Duchesne side.
"That's a wonderful feat for a man who turns 90 in March," said Carolyn Mock of Orem, one of his daughters.
Pratt had taken two of the grandsons on a Kings Peak hike in 1983 when he was only 71, but the grandsons were too young and couldn't make it all the way. Ben challenged his grandfather for another shot at Kings this year.
Taking up the challenge, Pratt started a special training regimen at the end of May that included regular hikes up the "Y" mountain and eventually, carrying a 30-pound backpack, up Rock Mountain.
This time it took Pratt seven hours to the summit vs. only five hours from base camp in 1983. He left camp 90 minutes before the rest of the group and they caught him at Anderson Pass.
"He was awesome," Van Orman said. "He walked over logs, boulders and rivers, pretty much keeping up most of the way."
The only time the grandfather didn't carry his pack was four miles heading back to civilization when it was more convenient for a horse to haul the weight.
Will he do Kings again?
"I will if I'm in as good as shape next year," he said. "I don't see my doctor much, but he said I have the body of a 60-year-old," Pratt said, explaining a lot of walking might be one reason for his vigor.
An ordinance worker in the Provo Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pratt also served three full-time church missions. He grew up in Washington State, hiking into the Cascades. He moved to Utah in 1958 and is also an avid woodworker. During his younger days, he worked three careers — rancher, LDS seminary instructor and licensed contractor. His wife died in July 2000.
"I find life exceedingly exciting. When I get bored, I do something else."
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com