|
tomclimbs
Nov 25, 2003, 9:13 PM
Post #1 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 7, 2003
Posts: 40
|
Hello People,
I am looking for some suggestions of your favorite winter mountaineeing challenges in Colorado. I know of a some but I would like to have some more options. Thanks a lot for your help.
tom
|
|
|
|
|
lachendro
Nov 25, 2003, 10:16 PM
Post #2 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 28, 2002
Posts: 33
|
If you're new to the whole winter mountaineering thing, Quandry (sorry if I spelled that wrong) is a sweet, somewhat moderate, winter route.
|
|
|
|
|
atg200
Dec 1, 2003, 3:14 PM
Post #3 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 27, 2001
Posts: 4317
|
how hard are you looking for?
this weekend i went and did the west ridge of dyer mountain near leadville. it was terrific - fairly short approach, low avy danger, and very interesting climbing if you stay right on the ridge crest the whole time(felt like low 5th class, though it was very snowy and icy). it is a fair bit easier if you avoid the towers along the ridge - third class or so.
mt ouray is nice, though know your avy conditions well. from the end of marshall pass road, it is a few miles up the road to get to the trailhead. you can camp in the trees next to the road, or if you are light you can stay in a cabin that is at the top of the pass and just off the road - i don't think there is any fee or anything to use it. the climb itself is a long slog, but the way the camping breaks down makes it a nice weekend outing.
others i've done with reasonable avy danger for the relative novice are squaretop, bierstadt, fletcher mountain, bard peak and mt parnassus, silverheels(bring your skis), mt sherman, mt meeker(watch conditions in the loft carefully, but if they are ok this is a wonderful day), and mt audubon and a lot of other stuff in the indian peaks.
|
|
|
|
|
mountrobson
Dec 3, 2003, 4:36 AM
Post #4 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 4, 2002
Posts: 32
|
Did Lavender Col of Sneffels in Feb 2000. Can't recommend it enough! Wilson Peak is another good winter peak. there's a miner's shack at 13,000' that's great for a high camp. Avy skills are a must on jsut about any CO peak in the winter! See ya there!
|
|
|
|
|
piton
Dec 4, 2003, 7:40 PM
Post #5 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 11, 2002
Posts: 1034
|
how about longs peak
|
|
|
|
|
mother_sheep
Dec 4, 2003, 8:09 PM
Post #6 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2002
Posts: 3984
|
Or for a much easier, somewhat less adventurous slog for beginners, Chasm Lake makes for a fun day out. Last weekend I broke out my crampons and axe once and that was for the traverse across the snowfield to the hut and in the gully up to the lake. Chasm Lake is not full on mountaineering but I'd say is't on the cusp. The hike itself is only about 7.4 miles and takes you just below 12k', where you can bask in the shadow of the most perfectly cut diamond known to man.
|
|
|
|
|
climb14er
Dec 4, 2003, 9:31 PM
Post #7 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 26, 2003
Posts: 152
|
Kieners, on Longs Peak. In winter, probably the best climb on Longs, if not the best mountaineering route in Colorado.
A TRUE classic !
|
|
|
|
|
tomclimbs
Dec 4, 2003, 9:46 PM
Post #8 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 7, 2003
Posts: 40
|
Hey all,
Thanks for the good ideas, keep them coming! I have climbed many routes on Long's. So I want to branch out some. I have climbed the N. face and Keiners in Winter. I have skied the Trough and climbed Alexander's to the Notch Couloir. So I am looking for climbs of similar difficulty on other mountains than Longs.
Don't get me wrong, I love Longs peak- it is big , scary, miserable weather, long approach/descent, interesting routes, basically everyhting I am looking for.But there just have to be other like routes on other mountains around Colorado. I just need to add to the list - and if anyone is looking for partners this winter let me know!!
thank you again.
tom
|
|
|
|
|
climb14er
Dec 4, 2003, 10:01 PM
Post #9 of 9
(2868 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 26, 2003
Posts: 152
|
Try climbing the Bell Cord Couloir between the Bells when the snowpack settles and compacts later in the season.
Get Dawson's two Ski 14er books, if you don't have already for routes on the 14ers, both technical and for skiing off the summits.
I think Little Bear, especialy the Hourglass Couloir would be a kick ass winter climb. Somewhat dangerous even in reasonable conditions. This peak gets done rarely in winter, a little more in summer.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
|
