| Peak(s): |
Mt. of the Holy Cross - 14,007 feet |
| Date Posted: | 08/25/2007 |
| Date Climbed: | 08/25/2007 |
| Author: | JasonF |
| Peak(s): |
Mt. of the Holy Cross - 14,007 feet |
| Date Posted: | 08/25/2007 |
| Date Climbed: | 08/25/2007 |
| Author: | JasonF |
| MHC - Standard Route |
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Party: Jason Solo Start: 4:45 AM Summit: 8:30 AM Start Descent: 9:00 AM Finish: 12:15 PM Roundtrip Time: 7.5 hours MHC - Nemesis I looked at climbing this gem of a peak 2-3 times last year but elected to not make the trip due to weather issues. I took my first shot at it last month via the Halo Ridge route but was turned back due to weather (oh - and a trip to the Vail ER to address a 1.5" long gash on my shin after slipping on boulders). Although this trip was unsuccessful it did allow me to view the cross feature and have a rather unforgettable night in the Notch Mountain shelter - see attached pics Flora in full bloom along the Notch Mountain Trail:  Cross Feature - you'll need a bit of an imagination to produce the correct result (kind of like constellations); the standard route is the long slope on the right side of the peak  Sunrise with clouds rising above the Highway 24 (10th Mountain Division Scenic Hwy) valley:  Notch Mountain Shelter (?): 250 square foot "home away from home" - they need to fire the roofer though  Shot of the Halo Ridge Route - author's hike was abruptly ended about ½ mile from the shelter on the boulder field located at the far left in this picture  MHC - Revisited I had been planning for the last 2 weeks to attempt this peak today and was pleasantly surprised with the weather forecast, which held all week (0% precipitation, which is highly unusual). I opted for the standard route this time. I have a very healthy respect for all the high peaks but to show that I have no fear I chose the same bloodied up pair of socks worn on the Nemesis trip (when you have a good pair of socks nothing else matters...). This trip was rather uneventful as no blood letting occurred however this is probably one of the more difficult 14ers I have completed. With the Nemesis trip ER bill, the Notch Mtn shelter water torture treatment received all night with the Nemesis trip, the lost 2-3 weeks waiting for my leg to heal up, the 2 hours of sleep I got prior to making the drive to the TH, the 20-30 mph head wind above treeline to the summit, the 30+ gusts delivered to the mountain on my descent, the insane amount of trails to choose from in the upper boulder field, the death march back up from Cross Creek and of course the 45 minute snailpace drive up the 8.5 mile Tigiwon Road, it all makes me very happy to say that I can cross this peak off my list. Nothing against this mountain but I don't believe I'll be returning again, thank you very much. Pics of the Revisited Trip are below: Victory is mine:  The Route from trail up from Cross Creek - nothing like multi-tasking a rest break with pictures:  Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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