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Peak(s):  Ellingwood Point  -  14,057 feet
Blanca Peak  -  14,350 feet
Date Posted:  10/25/2013
Modified:  11/02/2013
Date Climbed:   10/25/2013
Author:  BrentRichter
 Blanca and Ellingwood standard routes   

10/14 peak conditions report was about the same that we experienced today 10/25, 5" or so of solid snow above 12k, which turned to soft powder above 13k, at which point I found microspikes helpful; some waste deep post-holing above 13k when descending Ellingwood via a gully, quite unpleasant. It snowed on us most of the day. Road was snow covered and icy in spots above 11k as you enter the forest/shade. We had camped at 10k just before the steepest part of the road switchbacks up to the right. If we had gone another 0.25 miles or so and few hundred feet in elevation, then we would have found some more suitable space to park and camp. ~4900' gain, 12 miles roundtrip, parked @ 10,000' (approx 5 hours after leaving C470 & I-25), perhaps 2.6 miles from Lake Como, started @ 6:15am, got to Lake Como around 7:30am, hit Blanca's summit @ 10:15am, then Ellingwood's summit @ 12pm, back to car @ 2:15pm.


Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
Dancesatmoonrise
User
Hard work!
10/31/2013 4:05am
Cool photos.

Keep up the good work!


NM_Hiker
User
Impressive!
11/6/2013 9:26pm
Good job and nice photos



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