Log In 
Peak(s):  Mt. Massive  -  14,427 feet
"North Massive" - 14,337 feet
"Massive Green" - 14,311 feet
Mt. Oklahoma  -  13,843 feet
Date Posted:  09/10/2012
Date Climbed:   09/09/2012
Author:  I Man
 Saying Goodbye To My Friends   

Saying Goodbye to a Friend.
Mt Massive, North Massive & Mt Oklahoma
September 9, 2012
Mileage & Gain: Unknown
Climbing Team: Solo

Parked 0.7 miles below N Halfmoon Creek TH
10am: Left car
12:45pm: Summit Mt Massive
1:30pm: Summit North Massive
4:00pm: Summit Mt Oklahoma
6:00pm: Return to car
8 hours round trip

FOR CHRIS.
Before I get started, I wanted to dedicate this report to Chris Gray, who was also lost in the mountains in August. I hiked with Chris in December of 2011 on a very memorable day. Aaron, Chris and I headed out to the Blue Lakes TH outside of Breckenridge for the Centennial 13er Mt Fletcher. A week later he came by my house to grab some gear he had left in my car. After that we kept in touch via PM, but our schedules did not align to go out together again.
Chris was a wonderful person with a true climber's soul. Listening to him talk about his ambitions, you could tell that he was in the mountains for the right reasons. Unfortunately, he never seemed to get out as often as he would have liked, but after having seen the strength of his wife Taylor, it is clear that school, work and a committed family life were all as important to him as the mountains.
Rest easy Chris, you are missed by many. I take comfort knowing you were living your dreams in your last moments.

Image
Chris Gray looks out over Blue Lakes - December 2011




Rob's Memorial Hike

I woke up in Aspen on Sunday morning, having done the Bells Traverse the day before with some of Rob's closest friends. My initial plan was to solo Thunder Pyramid, but when the alarm went off at 4am I lost all motivation. The sun was up by 7am and we were on our way home, or so I thought. As the sunlight hit Independence Pass on the drive, I felt the uncontrollable urge to take advantage of the weather and get up high again. I was with my friend Kristina and we figured we might give Mt Oklahoma a try. We arrived at the TH (parked 0.7 miles below the N Halfmoon Creek TH in my low clearance Subaru Impreza) around 930am and after eating breakfast and packing we were on our way. Only 10 minutes in Kristina decided today wasn't her day and she turned back, insisting that I continue on solo.

In February of 2012, my friend and I agreed to meet Jeff, Rob and his crew on a Saturday morning to give Mt Massive a go from the Leadville Fish Hatchery. They would pack in on Friday, and our group would start early and we would meet up somewhere around tree line. The plan went well and a bunch of us got together soon after the sun was up. I didn't know too much about Rob at the time, other than he was good friends with my friend Jeff. I was having a rough day and I lagged behind the group as I made my way up to the summit. Months later, I heard Rob say that it had been his hardest day in Colorado's mountains, a sentiment which I shared. Rob was a much stronger climber than me, so it is no wonder I tried to take a nap a few times in the snow on the descent!

Over the following months we spoke often and got to know each other. We never climbed together again, but did share some beers here and there. Those of you who knew him well likely know the part he played in a certain shall I say, saga between some forum members and I.

Rob was wise beyond his years and a fiercely strong climber. During our short friendship he had a tremendous impact on my life. I am grateful for the friendships that he has helped me forge and for the standard of excellence he has set for us. I know in the coming years as my ambitions turn to higher and higher peaks, I will ALWAYS think of him as a partner, and will be in despair when I realize it cannot happen.

Once I was solo, I decided to summit Mt Massive as a personal memorial for my friend. I love you man...it's only been 15 days and not a day goes by without tears. May we all strive to be half the man that you were.

Image
Ryan, jeff and I raise our beers towards the ridge that took Rob's life (Summit of North Maroon)




North Massive to Oklahoma Traverse


The route Up Massive from N Halfmoon Creek TH is well-documented, as is the traverse to North Massive. I started up the road at 10am and reached the summit of Massive at 12:45pm to find 3 others up there. I began my traverse soon after and made quick work of it having known the route. In winter I stayed on the west side of North massive and went up a steep gully, this time around I found a walk around on the East side that proved to be much easier. If anyone wants any beta on this traverse, feel free to PM me. The rest of this report will focus on the traverse between North Massive and Oklahoma.


Image
Parked about 0.7 miles from the TH in my very low clearance Subaru


Image
Initial view of Oklahoma (left)


Image
Summit of Mt Massive


Image
Looking towards North massive from Massive


Image
Summit of North Massive



The traverse looks long and intimidating and since I had never thought of doing it before, I had no idea what to expect. After speaking with friends, it seems the route can be kept at Class 3, but it is still very long and committing (very difficult to bail into the Halfmoon basin). The route I took was 4th class with maybe a few 5.0 sections, but I was solo and typically am not the best route finder, I also choose solid harder climbing over loose traverses.

Image
Flats after leaving North Massive


Image
Idea of exposure early on


Image
Don't Look Down


The route off of North is fairly obvious and you can a very large plateau. The Massive side of the traverse is extremely easy and goes by quickly. As you approach the first rock towers, the terrain moves to 2+ with exposure here and there, but there are always many options.

Image
The Lakes


As I continued on, I wondered if I was climbing into a trap as it appears that the Oklahoma side of things is quite gnarly indeed. The notch looks loose, steep and exposed and I was unsure if the grassy ledges above huge cliffs would end me. Despite my hesitations, I continued on, enjoying the beautiful weather and the time alone with my thoughts that most often dwelled on my fallen friends.

Image
Initial Difficulties


Image
Mid way down a crux wall


Image
One of the crux downclimbs nearing the saddle


Image
Idea of the "less exposed" sections


The ridge is VERY long and it is difficult to recount each section. As I stated, you can always find a way, so if the south side looks bad, take a look at the north and vica versa. I tried to stay on the ridge crest as often as possible. There are a few ledges that are true ledges with some gnarly exposure.

Image
An exposed ledge


Image
Looking up at the route I chose on the largest tower


Image
One of the difficulties



As you lose elevation, the towers become more dramatic and the exposure more real, care must also be taken for loose rock since this route is seldom climbed. The largest tower is just before the low point. I found a ramp on the north side that looked good, but it cliffs out. There was a way to traverse from there, but it was mid-5th class and I did not feel comfortable soloing. I returned down the ramp and found a 4th class slab that I climbed up for 50 feet or so before regaining the ridge crest. Many of these towers have 3rd and 4th class downclimbs coming off of them.

Image
The ramp that led to nowhere


Image
Getting a better view of the notch


The low point of the saddle is the crux of the route in my opinion, starting with the large tower. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the notch was far easier than expected and the up climb was a solid slab. The climbing here is very enjoyable and I was starting to relax knowing that I would not have to bail into the wrong basin!

Image
The expected crux turned out to be much better than expected


Once above the slab, grassy ledges on exposed class 2+ and 3 terrain will take you all the way to the summit, but after a few hundred feet I took a right and headed up some cliff bands. I found this to be the safest and most enjoyable route to the summit.

Image
Initial terrain above the notch on Oklahoma's South slopes


Image
Route I took to summit


Image
Looking down my chosen Summit Pitch


Image
Another view of summit route


Almost 3 hours after leaving the summit of Mt Massive, I found myself on the summit of my 53rd Centennial Peak - Mt Oklahoma!

Image
Oklahoma Summit Register


Image
Summit of Oklahoma




The descent off of Oklahoma is fairly well cairned and simple. I followed the cairns to tree line where I bushwhacked for a while before locating the trail. By 6pm, extremely thirsty, hungry and tired, I stumbled back to the car.

Image
Looking back at the Traverse


With the Bells Traverse the day before and this wonderful solo route, I had a truly spectacular weekend. I personally find it very fitting to find joy where my friends did.

If anyone wants any specifics about the traverse, feel free to PM me.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30


Comments or Questions
rajz06
User
Thank you!
9/10/2012 11:21pm
Nicely done and thanks for a wonderful tribute to the fallen hikers.


rking007
User
Way to go!
9/11/2012 12:51am
Looks like a long time spent up high but it sounds like it was just what you needed at that moment. Even though I never met Chris or Rob, I still appreciate the candid thoughts and reflections from everyone. It shows that everyone is walking their grief out and that's a good thing. Way to get those peaks!


SurfNTurf
User
Winter Massive
9/11/2012 3:08pm
I'm still tired.


cftbq
User
Thanks
9/11/2012 5:12pm
Nice info on a nifty, rarely-taken route.


Dancesatmoonrise
User
Very cool.
9/15/2012 4:12am
Nice solo, Matt.


globreal
User
Honorable!
11/23/2012 6:03am
Matt, that was really quite honorable of you to dedicate this climb to our fallen climbers of this community. Nice job, tribute, and trip report.


12ersRule
User
Nice job!
7/29/2013 6:29pm
Way to honor Chris and Rob. Pretty sweet, especially a day after the Maroon traverse.



   Not registered?


Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.


Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.