Report Type | Full |
Peak(s) |
Mt. Shavano - 14,230 feet Tabeguache Peak - 14,158 feet |
Date Posted | 04/28/2025 |
Date Climbed | 04/27/2025 |
Author | Splitboard14ers |
Shavano/Tabeguache Combo + Ride |
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After a lengthy drive in over the rocky road, I started at 5:16am from the trailhead. The hike was pleasant and no snow for first mile and half. Once snow was encountered I remained on top hiking without sinking in. At 11,200 I exited the main path and headed into the drainage below "Angel" snow. Only about 100' feet to cross with mixed snow, deadfall, and rock till I reached the snow at the bottom of the "Angel" I stayed in boots and walked up the snow easily as there was many ski, and foot tracks both down and up. At the top of the snow I continued hiking up the rocks and within less than hour was standing on Summit of Shavano by 10:02am. 4hours and 48minutes from trailhead to Summit. From Summit of Shavano I walked across the ridge to Tabeguache. The rocks are stable and the traverse was quick. I climbed the final push from saddle to Summit of Tabeguache on snow and stood on Summit of Tabeguache by 11:20am. In order to clalim the statistic of riding the full peak of Tabeguache I decided to ride down the North ridge, and into the basin. So I dropped in at 11:40am and made my way down the snow I'd climbed up from the Saddle (North), then turned into the gulch (South) staying on a continuous snow line the whole way. The upper section of the line was firm, but midway down it softened up, and by the lower portion was very decent. Only one section of rocks had to unstrap and cross, then resume riding another 800 - 1000 feet on the line. At the bottom of the line, probably 2,000'ft below the Summit of Tabeguache, I transitioned and began to skin back up using the same snow line I had just ridden. I skinned until it became too steep and transitioned to boot pack the final 600 or so feet back to the saddle between the two peaks. From there I climbed back across to the Summit of Shavano, and stood on Shavano Summit at 2:28pm. I strapped in and rode through a very tight rock field off the East side, which only went about 150 feet. Then unstrapped and climbed down some rocks to the next snow section. I boarded across it, then unstrapped again, and walked a short ways to connect into the "Angel" snow. From there 13,400' I was able to ride the continuous snow line to the bottom of the drainage. The snow was very soft and slushy, although heavily ridden and lumpy from so many previous ski lines. I transitioned to boots and hiked back across to the main path. Only sank in snow once for a few steps, but was able to avoid snow, using deadfall and rocks. From the main path it was a quick hike out, and the snow where it did exist was firm enough that I didn't sink once. Made it back to the trailhead by 4:58pm. Long day, approx 7,300 vertical feet. My GPS said 8.8 miles, but I know that can't be right, and I'm estimating about 12 miles. I was grateful for having gotten both peaks with rides in the same day so that I didn't have to return for one. Shavano does not impress me as a peak for Winter conditions. But Tabeguache has some really cool lines on it's North and West aspects, as well as the South East, which probably go very well earlier in Season, or on a better snow year. These were my last two peaks to complete the Collegiate Peaks (Sawatch) range, as I continue to attempt to climb and snowboard all 14ers, so I was stoked to be done with them. |
Comments or Questions |
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