Quandary Peak Trip Report 12/15/2011

Peak(s):	Quandary Peak - 14,272 feet "Drift Peak" - 13,915 feet Fletcher Mountain - 13,943 feet
Date Posted:	12/15/2011
Date Climbed:	12/02/2011
Author:	geojed

Drift-Fletcher-Quandary(West Ridge)
The original plan was to do the East Ridge Route on Quandary because I thought that they had received around a foot of snow from the recent storm. As I drove through Breck I noticed how dry it was so that got me thinking about doing Drift, Fletcher and then the West Ridge of Quandary. The road up to Blue Lakes was an easy drive. Early Morning Light Upper Basin First Light The hike across the basin was easy and quick as I headed up towards the pass between Drift and Fletcher. First Two objectives for the day: Drift Peak (L) Fletcher Mtn (R) I got stopped at the first notch on Drift's East Ridge. I contemplated making a try of it but didn't want to risk it as I was VERY solo (didn't see another person all day! ). I didn't know that you were supposed to traverse below the ridge and then ascend the courloir up to the summit. Drift Peak's snowy East Face Fletcher was an easy climb that had stellar views. Next Objective for the day: Fletcher Mtn 13,951' Quandary from summit of Fletcher Self Portrait w/ last objective of the day... Quandary's West Ridge Getting closer! I had a guardian angel mountain goat (or was it the Patronus of Bill Middlebrook????? ) lead me along the West Ridge of Quandary and showed me the way through the crux portion of the route. My "guardian angel" goat After summiting Quandary I descended the Cristo Couloir back to my car. To celebrate my day I stopped in Fairplay at the South Park Bowl and feasted on the most delicious Breakfast Burrito I have EVER tasted. I was seriously tempted to buy another and eat it or bring it home. MMMMMMM chorizo and smothered in Pork Green Chile Sauce. My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): Login required to view this map... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Drift-Fletcher-Quandary(West Ridge)

The original plan was to do the East Ridge Route on Quandary because I thought that they had received around a foot of snow from the recent storm. As I drove through Breck I noticed how dry it was so that got me thinking about doing Drift, Fletcher and then the West Ridge of Quandary. The road up to Blue Lakes was an easy drive.

The hike across the basin was easy and quick as I headed up towards the pass between Drift and Fletcher.

First Two objectives for the day: Drift Peak (L) Fletcher Mtn (R)

I got stopped at the first notch on Drift's East Ridge. I contemplated making a try of it but didn't want to risk it as I was VERY solo (didn't see another person all day!

). I didn't know that you were supposed to traverse below the ridge and then ascend the courloir up to the summit.

Fletcher was an easy climb that had stellar views.

Next Objective for the day: Fletcher Mtn 13,951'

Self Portrait w/ last objective of the day... Quandary's West Ridge

I had a guardian angel mountain goat (or was it the Patronus of Bill Middlebrook?????

) lead me along the West Ridge of Quandary and showed me the way through the crux portion of the route.

After summiting Quandary I descended the Cristo Couloir back to my car. To celebrate my day I stopped in Fairplay at the South Park Bowl and feasted on the most delicious Breakfast Burrito I have EVER tasted. I was seriously tempted to buy another and eat it or bring it home. MMMMMMM chorizo and smothered in Pork Green Chile Sauce.

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Turboprop	Patronus 12/15/2011 3:59pm Good trip report, looks great with the snow. Loved the comment about the Patronus
James Scott	Funny 12/15/2011 6:19pm If it was Bill's patronus, maybe he was protecting you during the horcrux of the route.
tylermacguire	Very Helpful beta 12/15/2011 7:46pm Thanks for posting!!!
geojed	”Hor”-crux 12/15/2011 8:04pm Ba-dum-dum-psh Why didn't I think of that!

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