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(I personally like reading what other people eat/drink so I'm including that in this report as well )
Met up with Betsy (pikaboot), Justin (Stoned Climber) and Jen Barackman around 4am at the Fort restaurant in Morrison, and arrived at the Avalanche TH around 6am. Started up promptly at 6:30am. No snow on the trail until ~11,500.
We reached the point where you turn left (west) at about 9:00am. Snacks thus far had included a cool mint Cliff Bar, snapea crips from Jen and a graham cracker protein bar from Justin. One of the benefits of hiking with new partners is seeing/trying lots of new stuff you normally wouldn't bring! Continued up to the side of the small hill, stashed our snowshoes and took a quick break for a gear change (and a break for Stoned Climber to live up to his name). Our conversation was quite deep, deciding that we are going to bring cold pizza and chocolate covered espresso beans for our next hike.
First view of the east ridge
I continued up and ascended the hill to get a better view of the ridge. After a quick group chat about our game plan, we started up the ridge around 9:30am.
Jen decided on her summit for the day at about 12,700, so Betsy, Justin and I continued on while Jen returned to the car. Our plan was the stay on top of the ridge the most we could, and then drop either to the left or right when necessary. Overall we stayed on top most of the time.
Once at 13,000 we reached our first class 3 section. Lots of loose snow here (and for the rest of the ridge). Terrible snow actually. I made sure to test every step beforehand, especially in any of the snow for this part.
Good example of the layers
Continued along to point 13,400 which is quite snow packed as seen in the picture below. Justin went first to test the snow and kick steps. It ended up being quite firm with just a fresh layer of snow covering (the picture makes it look worse than it actually it).
Snow was very unconsolidated here
The three of us reached the notch between the two 13,400 points at about 12pm. Betsy informed us she was feeling nauseous and weak, and decided to call it good. I was super bummed as she is a strong hiker and I know she would have made the summit had she felt ok.
Even though it was 12:30pm, Justin and I decided to continue as we 1.) both had the energy (maybe from all of the almond and chocolate hazelnut butter we had) 2.) There was no immediate weather threat and/or forecasted afternoon storms 3.) The conditions/snow was still manageable.
Yale from the flat section making our way to the summit
Summited at 1:30pm. The top is covered with snow, so we just walked to the highest point of snow and called it the summit!
reaching the summit Summit of Yale Summit of Yale
Wasn't too terribly windy or cold up top. Thank goodness Justin brought a bag a yogurt covered almonds. We both ended up eating the whole bag. Refueled with some cinnamon raisin bread, granola bar, and of course, more chocolate hazelnut butter. Stayed only for 15minutes, and started our descent at 1:45pm.
The snow did soften- though not as much as I expected. This did make things interesting on the way back down though. Had to really focus and make sure to step through the softening top layer, into the packed layer underneath. I found myself slipping during some spots I didn't kick my heels in deep enough.
Descending We opted to add a little more climbing to the mix so we ascended viewers right through the rocks, and descended viewers left Watching our steps down the soft snow Looking back at our path down
The soft snow did cause us to slow a little on the descent, so we reached our snowshoes around 4pm. Fruit puree and another granola bar was on the menu for this break.
Definitely needed snowshoes on the way back through the trees. I'd even suggest stashing snowshoes on your way up further than we did (past the first hill after you turn left).
During the few hours of hiking back through the trees, Justin and I chatted about how in order for a climb like this to be successful, every single decision must be the right decision. The decision about the weather, cut off times, energy levels, snow conditions, gut feeling, etc. has to be precise with no guessing/hesitations.
Arrived back at the car at 6:00pm, and was treated to a vanilla latte that Betsy had so nicely gone into town for. By far one of my best recovery drinks in a while...
Encountered quite the road block on the drive back
It was definitely one heck of a day and one I'd repeat anytime.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Glad you guys made it! Good pics. I tried on Saturday, but we had to turn back on the ridge due to a thunder snow storm. So nice to see some blue sky now!
Thanks for the report. I’ve been trying to get a sense of what the snow conditions near BV are like, as I want to do Princeton and Antero ASAP. I have no idea how far I can drive up those access roads, though.
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