Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
We chose to pack in via Zapata Trail. We used beta from other reports and after having made the trek, feel we can add a few additional details that you all might find helpful. Our plan was to camp at Zapata Lake. We estimated 3 hours to hike 5 miles with a total of 2800' in elevation gain carrying 30lb packs. We set out at 4pm in order to avoid the hot afternoon sun. The trail is beautiful...we had 5 creek crossings with the 1st being the largest, the rest minimal. We used rocks up stream to cross on the inbound and a log just downstream on the outbound.
By 7:30 we had yet to exit tree line which is around 12,000'. At appx 4 miles, we found an excellent site on the right with 3 flat spots, a fire ring and easy access to water just ahead. Do not underestimate the hike in...give yourself plenty of time. You will go up and down several times before actually reaching the lake. Our sheltered campsite turned out to be a rather fortuitous find as it started raining within minutes of getting the tent up. There is no natural shelter at the lake. And after all of the rain, it was really a boggy mess anyway.
Boots on the ground at 5am. Another 45 minutes and we were at the lake. Follow it around to the left and before you know it you will be at the base of Cross Fire and C2. At the top these make a W with Cross Fire the left V and C2 on the right.
The trail is faint but your direction is obvious...just keep going until there is nowhere else to go. C2 is marked by a large cairn...a big thank you to those who built it. The start up C2 is fun and the rock is pretty stable for the 1st third; Then it turns to crap: loose wet rock covered covered with a thin layer of ice...that should have been a clue of what was to come but we didn't get the message (live and learn). Climbers right is the place to go but check EVERYTHING...trust NOTHING. We moved slowly reaching the top of C2 in an hour. For the DESCENT, we went climbers right and utilized the dirt slides as they were faster and easier to control the slide...this was imperative as the sudden clap of thunder had us singing a different tune real fast.
Once on top of C2, turn left and enjoy the scramble for a while. The west ridge will open up in front of you with the summit ahead and just to the right. There was a light dusting of snow covering the scree field. It was around 7:30 or so and the sun was not yet on it so we decided to work our way across and up the scree field. It was pretty solid except for when it wasn't...I felt rocks slide a bit more then I would have liked. On the DESCENT we stayed high on the ridge and avoided the scree field entirely...definitely the way to go. The picture shows the ridge on the DESCENT with Zapata Lake in the distance.
We reached the class 3 scramble to the summit. Various parts were covered with a bit of snow here and there. We continued on until we got to about 13,800-900'. So close yet so far. In dry conditions this would have been a blast but under the snow was a think layer of ice that made us stop and really assess. Straight up looked good but only if dry; the ledges to the right were sloped just enough to remind us that any slip up would have been bad news in every way. We made the decision to abandon the summit.
We descended a bit to a flat dry spot and took in the view along with a snack. We were disappointed for being denied the summit but alas there is always another day...
The clouds were climbing up the peaks from the south eventually encircling the Ellingwood summit. That was our cue to head down.
Besides the sudden thunder storm that was literally on top of our heads and the groppel that pummeled us all the way back to the tent, it was an amazing adventure and a fun story to tell. Be safe out there friends!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Excellent report. could not agree more about the hike to the lake, last year it took me longer to get to the lake than to summit Yale a couple days before. Weather forced me to turn around 90% of the way up the C2, but you're right, always another day.
Great report. Glad to see you got camp set up and made it as far as you did. My wife and I crossed your path on our way out. The weather erupted on us on the drive home and we figured it could have been rather unpleasant up there. So much changed in less than a day. Except for the weather, our experience mirrored yours - longer hike in than expected (I had the lake at 4.9 miles and the RT with Blanca at 14.4 miles), footing was intermittently stable and not-so-much along that ridge. Your call on C2 was spot on. We did the same thing (scree surfing) and were able to pass another climber going up without sending rocks down on each other. Glad you had fun, despite the last +/-100 feet and the weather.
And yet, so far... Thank you for your report. We too experienced verglass right about where you did, but we didn't have the additional snow layer you had which really made it interesting for you. It was a good call though. Some of that is truly no-fall. But it's such a special place it's worth another visit, wouldn't you say?
Must be something about that route during monsoon season. I had to turn around about 100 feet lower than you a few years ago. Above timberline with a storm approaching is no good. The top of C2 had 3 inches of snow over a thin layer of ice which made it interesting without microspikes. Ridgeline was clear and dry. A fast developing thunderstorm early in the morning pushed us back down and by the time we hit the lake, it poured the rest of the hike down. We were treated though to a bear running away from us right at California Gulch! It's hard to turn around when you're so close but the mountain will always be there next time! Thanks for sharing your report!
there is never any shame turning around on moutain. C2 from Zapata is tough - I kmow. You'll get it next time.
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.
