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Peak(s):  Quandary Peak  -  14,272 feet
Date Posted:  07/24/2011
Date Climbed:   07/23/2011
Author:  srikirti
 Experience of hiking the Quandary Peak!!!   

We were planning for the Quandary - East Ridge trek for the last 2 weekends. All through the week, it had either been raining or snowing. Being amateur trekkers, we were truly disappointed - unable to walk through the snow. And then finally this beautiful week arrived. We heard that it was sunny for the last 4 days. That means, there would be no snow in the weekend!! Over it, Saturday was sounding like one of those beautiful days for trek (--> 49F-71F, 15 mph wind speed, clear sky)...which I swear any trekker wouldn't want to miss, no matter what!!!!!

6 hours before the trek: Two of us were all pumped up and excited for the trek and we were packing up a small backpack bag with jackets, energy bars and drinks. Then we got a call from the third friend that the electronics in his car broke!!! There were no options available for renting out a car at that time in the night anywhere around 25 miles in Broomfield as well. So, we were prepared to take a risk (the only option) - use the second car, which is in a descent condition and gave a weird sound from its engine. So, we wanted to reach the trail head before the traffic starts picking up. Left our place at 0230 hours... drove for 2.5 hours and reached the trail head at 0500.

It was just an amazing feeling, finally getting to trek. We got ready in 10 minutes and started to take off just before the sun rise. We could see the beautiful bright violet/purple coloured horizon after 10 minutes of hike. (I am not quite sure when a regular hiker starts his trek, but if there are people out there who have never tried starting the hike just before the sun-rise, try it out next time. You won't regret waking up in the midnight and driving, skipping all your sleep!!!).

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The violet/purple twilight in the horizon

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Just after the sun rise

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The tree line


We crossed the tree line range (11600 feet) in 90 minutes. We knew it was slow, but we were enjoying the moment, being close to the nature - far away from office and a computer :-). It was blissful, calm-quite way before it got crowded. (We did not have the same feeling trekking down the hill later though). All through the tree line it was a CLASS 1, from the definition of CLASS1 on the internet :-).
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The begining of the rocky stretch

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View from the rocky stretch

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View towards the base half way into the rocky stretch

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View towards the top half way into the rocky stretch

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The trophy picture


From 11600 to about 12500 feet, it was all rocky, but we had a neat trail which we were able to stick to. By the time we reach this height, we were able to see a peak that is nearly at the same level and 100 yards away as the summit. From this point, the inclination would get to be at a consistent 50 degrees!!! I had to use my hands while climbing, so i guess it got to be about CLASS 2 mostly and sometimes CLASS 3. It took about 150 minutes from that point to reach the top. I found most of the people taking regular breaks in this stretch.
The touch of the copper conductor (with Quandary etched on it) at the peak, the mild sunshine, the cool breeze from the snow top mountains touching the forehead, the feeling of achievement - I will never forget, and I am sure none of my friends can either!!! 45 minutes just flew by sitting and enjoying the moment. We had few energy bars and some water. Stretched our legs a bit and we were all set for hiking our way back, happily thinking we have conquered it and we felt like HEROES. None of us knew, we were all completely wrong,we still had to get down and it wasnt going to be so easy!!!!

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View from the summit

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View of the summit while coming down, right after the rocky stretch


So, we started getting down the CLASS 2-3 level rocky stretch slowly, carefully. It took us about an hour to finish that part. We took a break of about 15 minutes, and we knew that we were done with the toughest part. As soon as the treeline started, many times did we think that the trail head is just another 5 minutes away. Probably because we were tired or rather we were hallucinating because we finished the toughest part quite some time ago. This stretch did tease us and it tested our endurance. It took us another 90 minutes for us to reach the trail head.

Finally, we were all glad and happy that we have done this 14er. There was only one feeling in all the three heads of ours - "We have done it!!!" Even though it was tiring, I am sure we will be hiking up some more 14ers this summer. It is worth going through all the pain, for the feeling we experienced at the summit.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
JohnnyCash
Great hike!
7/26/2011 4:16pm
I remember doing Quandary last year. Great time! Not to take anything away from your hike but I believe the east ridge is all class 1...


srikirti
You are right!!!
8/15/2011 5:18am
I now agree with you. I have done Longs Peak this weekend and now I know the definition of Class 3 hike... You were right, this was Class 1 all the way...



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