OTHER Trip Report 05/02/2008

Peak(s):	Madonna Dome - 12331 Bald Mountain - 13682
Date Posted:	05/02/2008
Date Climbed:	04/26/2008
Author:	DHatfield

Madonna Dome and Bald Mountain
"Madonna Dome" (12,331‘) Bald Mountain A (13,682‘) - attempt Trailhead: Boreas Pass Winter Road Closure Partner: susanjoypaul With it being a month since our last backpack/campout we thought this would be a great trip to do and pick up another two peaks. Also since we haven't used a sled yet this season we thought why not take it too - help take the load off our backs by sharing the sled and putting the heavier gear into it. We departed Colorado Springs at 6:00am and headed for Breckenridge and for the most part I was very happy to see the roads were great at least until we arrived at Hoosier Pass where the roads changed from dry to a tad slick . The excitement, depending on who you talk to, was as we started heading down the north side of Hoosier Pass and at the very first switchback Susan noted "Slow down this is the tight switchback" and me being me I said "Naw that is the next one". Low and behold as I started to slow down for the switchback I lost control and flipped a nice 180 on the turn and just as Susan braced for impact I managed to stop before slamming into the snow embankment or causing a collision with the two cars behind us - or rather, now in front of us, as we were now facing straight into oncoming traffic. I am sure they were just as scared as us. Once my heart rate was back to normal and the coast was clear I backed up to where I could turn around and very slowly proceeded down the pass toward Breckenridge and at the first light I headed east up Boreas Pass to the road closure at about 10,400 feet. Day 1 Backpack in set camp and climb "Madonna Dome" 9.5 miles/2,500' of gain We arrived safe and sound at Boreas Pass road closure, thank goodness, at about 9:15am to a parking lot full of about a dozen skiers that I am sure were going to be staying at the hut that resides up on top of the pass. Once the sled was packed and packs holstered we started slowly up the well-packed road with a slight 16 degree chill to the air and very overcast sky that spit snow occasionally. Susan enjoying sled duty, it was great to let her do all the hard work, thanks Susan!! As usual we started up the road with not very much in the way for views due to the weather. After visiting with some other folks from Colorado Springs, who were out walking their dog we continued on toward camp. The weather started to clear as we neared Bakers Tank, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, so we could finally start seeing wonderful views to the peaks to the west as well as "Madonna Dome" to the southeast that we were still hoping to climb after setting up camp. "Madonna Dome" in center, looks so far away At 12:15pm we noticed a very nice flat area that was pretty close to tree line, so we pitched camp and an hour later started hiking up to the Boreas Pass with much lighter packs for "Madonna Dome". Hey this looks like a great campsite The sea of snowy peaks to the west Just before the hut at the top of the pass we finally had to put on snowshoes. From the pass we headed southwest up through a very brief stretch of trees at which point I had to stop momentarily to put on a balaclava as the wind started to be just a little brisk. From tree line we continued up to Point 12,029 where the wind seems to not relent much. "Madonna Dome" from Point 12,029. I think we are going to make it!! From Point 12,029 we followed an old abandoned road that's fairly steep at first for a few 100 feet before petering out completely, however following the ridge the rest of the way was easy other than the occasional spot of very hard snow and I was happy to have my snowshoes mostly for traction more than preventing post holing. The last 400 feet to the summit seemed steeper then the map showed; maybe I was just plain tired from the backpack in. We arrived on the summit at 3:15pm. Me on the summit of "Madonna Dome" with Mount Silverheels in distance Susan on summit of "Madonna Dome" with Bald Mountain in distance, congrats on yet another summit Susan!! Looking northwest at the sea of snowy peaks Let's get the hell out of here it is getting a little windy out!! We stayed for about 15 minutes on the summit to take pictures and absorb the views of Bald Mountain, Mount Silverheels, Boreas Mountain, and Little Baldy Mountain that we did last weekend, before the cold wind forced us to retreat for the comfort of being below tree line. We arrived back at lovely old home away from home at 5:48pm. It sure was great to finally relax after hiking all day. Shortly after fixing a nice warm dinner of Ramen Noodles, reading for a little while to help relax, we then turned in for the night. Day 1 Bald Mountain A (attempt) and backpack back out 9.90 miles/2,500' of gain The alarm should have went off at 5:00am, however the batteries died during the night, but luckily I got up anyway with out. After repacking for the day having a nice warm breakfast of oatmeal we started heading back up Boreas Pass road at 6:55am and just before the drainage that leads up to Black Powder Pass we turned off and started heading toward Bald Mountain. The weather was fantastic with not a cloud in the sky and very light wind; however it was a little chilly. Enjoying the fantastic views of peaks, what a wonderful day to enjoy the mountains Even off the road the snow supported us very well with snowshoes on. Heading up Bald Mountain south ridge was fairly steep, but with our moderate pace we were able to keep going and once we crested the ridge the wind was much more windier and since my dang jacket zipper broke not allowing me to protect myself from the cold wind I resorted to hiking very slowly in my down jacket instead, sorry for slowing you down Susan. The going is going to be getting steeper Finally on the south ridge of Bald Mountain with Boreas Mountain and Little Baldy Mountain in distance At the top of the bump just south of Point 13,679 we stashed the snowshoes and put on crampons due to the steep hard snow along the ridge. The views were incredible along the ridge in all directions. Mount Guyot Along a deep gully on the west side of Bald Mountain we could see some very large cornices. Some large cornices Climbing up Point 13,679 was steeper then the previous rise we climb and we had to watch for one large cornice en route; however staying close to the rocks made us feel much more comfortable. Looking up at Point 13,679 The summit so close The summit was very close, however with the temps getting warmer we started to be concerned about the snow conditions and the steep snow slope over Point 13,634. It was extremely windy here, and we knew the summit was maybe half an hour away, but it was 11:30 and the sun was making the snow very soft. The slope ahead of us definitely looked steep enough to be an avalanche danger, and the runout on either side was basically a drop-off. Beyond that, the ridge was also heavily corniced - Susan suggested that if we could just make it to the ridge, we could do that "au cheval" style like some climbers do the one on Shishapangma. I had already risked my manhood on enough barbed wire fences this month - so I was really glad she was kidding. It just didn't look too safe so we called it a day, we will get it next time. We felt even better about our decision when we noticed how much we were sinking into the unconsolidated snow on the way back, and how much the snow was "snow-balling" down every slope. We were back to camp at 2:30pm. Quickly tearing down camp we started hiking again at 3:30pm. Heading on out after a long weekend of hiking Arriving back to the trailhead at 6:30pm and very tired, but still very happy since most of the trip was great weather and even though we didn't get Bald Mountain it was still a wonderful climb. Susan I had a wonderful time and look forward to hiking with you again in the future. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Madonna Dome and Bald Mountain

"Madonna Dome" (12,331‘)
Bald Mountain A (13,682‘) - attempt
Trailhead: Boreas Pass Winter Road Closure
Partner: susanjoypaul

With it being a month since our last backpack/campout we thought this would be a great trip to do and pick up another two peaks. Also since we haven't used a sled yet this season we thought why not take it too - help take the load off our backs by sharing the sled and putting the heavier gear into it.

We departed Colorado Springs at 6:00am and headed for Breckenridge and for the most part I was very happy to see the roads were great at least until we arrived at Hoosier Pass where the roads changed from dry to a tad slick

. The excitement, depending on who you talk to, was as we started heading down the north side of Hoosier Pass and at the very first switchback Susan noted "Slow down this is the tight switchback" and me being me I said "Naw that is the next one". Low and behold as I started to slow down for the switchback I lost control and flipped a nice 180 on the turn and just as Susan braced for impact I managed to stop before slamming into the snow embankment or causing a collision with the two cars behind us - or rather, now in front of us, as we were now facing straight into oncoming traffic. I am sure they were just as scared as us. Once my heart rate was back to normal and the coast was clear I backed up to where I could turn around and very slowly proceeded down the pass toward Breckenridge and at the first light I headed east up Boreas Pass to the road closure at about 10,400 feet.

Day 1
Backpack in set camp and climb "Madonna Dome"
9.5 miles/2,500' of gain

We arrived safe and sound at Boreas Pass road closure, thank goodness, at about 9:15am to a parking lot full of about a dozen skiers that I am sure were going to be staying at the hut that resides up on top of the pass. Once the sled was packed and packs holstered we started slowly up the well-packed road with a slight 16 degree chill to the air and very overcast sky that spit snow occasionally.

Susan enjoying sled duty, it was great to let her do all the hard work, thanks Susan!!

As usual we started up the road with not very much in the way for views due to the weather. After visiting with some other folks from Colorado Springs, who were out walking their dog we continued on toward camp. The weather started to clear as we neared Bakers Tank, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, so we could finally start seeing wonderful views to the peaks to the west as well as "Madonna Dome" to the southeast that we were still hoping to climb after setting up camp.

"Madonna Dome" in center, looks so far away

At 12:15pm we noticed a very nice flat area that was pretty close to tree line, so we pitched camp and an hour later started hiking up to the Boreas Pass with much lighter packs for "Madonna Dome".

Hey this looks like a great campsite

The sea of snowy peaks to the west

Just before the hut at the top of the pass we finally had to put on snowshoes. From the pass we headed southwest up through a very brief stretch of trees at which point I had to stop momentarily to put on a balaclava as the wind started to be just a little brisk. From tree line we continued up to Point 12,029 where the wind seems to not relent much.

"Madonna Dome" from Point 12,029. I think we are going to make it!!

From Point 12,029 we followed an old abandoned road that's fairly steep at first for a few 100 feet before petering out completely, however following the ridge the rest of the way was easy other than the occasional spot of very hard snow and I was happy to have my snowshoes mostly for traction more than preventing post holing. The last 400 feet to the summit seemed steeper then the map showed; maybe I was just plain tired from the backpack in. We arrived on the summit at 3:15pm.

Me on the summit of "Madonna Dome" with Mount Silverheels in distance

Susan on summit of "Madonna Dome" with Bald Mountain in distance, congrats on yet another summit Susan!!

Looking northwest at the sea of snowy peaks

Let's get the hell out of here it is getting a little windy out!!

We stayed for about 15 minutes on the summit to take pictures and absorb the views of Bald Mountain, Mount Silverheels, Boreas Mountain, and Little Baldy Mountain that we did last weekend, before the cold wind forced us to retreat for the comfort of being below tree line. We arrived back at lovely old home away from home at 5:48pm. It sure was great to finally relax after hiking all day. Shortly after fixing a nice warm dinner of Ramen Noodles, reading for a little while to help relax, we then turned in for the night.

Day 1
Bald Mountain A (attempt) and backpack back out
9.90 miles/2,500' of gain

The alarm should have went off at 5:00am, however the batteries died during the night, but luckily I got up anyway with out. After repacking for the day having a nice warm breakfast of oatmeal we started heading back up Boreas Pass road at 6:55am and just before the drainage that leads up to Black Powder Pass we turned off and started heading toward Bald Mountain. The weather was fantastic with not a cloud in the sky and very light wind; however it was a little chilly.

Enjoying the fantastic views of peaks, what a wonderful day to enjoy the mountains

Even off the road the snow supported us very well with snowshoes on. Heading up Bald Mountain south ridge was fairly steep, but with our moderate pace we were able to keep going and once we crested the ridge the wind was much more windier and since my dang jacket zipper broke not allowing me to protect myself from the cold wind I resorted to hiking very slowly in my down jacket instead, sorry for slowing you down Susan.

The going is going to be getting steeper

Finally on the south ridge of Bald Mountain with Boreas Mountain and Little Baldy Mountain in distance

At the top of the bump just south of Point 13,679 we stashed the snowshoes and put on crampons due to the steep hard snow along the ridge. The views were incredible along the ridge in all directions.

Mount Guyot

Along a deep gully on the west side of Bald Mountain we could see some very large cornices.

Some large cornices

Climbing up Point 13,679 was steeper then the previous rise we climb and we had to watch for one large cornice en route; however staying close to the rocks made us feel much more comfortable.

Looking up at Point 13,679

The summit so close

The summit was very close, however with the temps getting warmer we started to be concerned about the snow conditions and the steep snow slope over Point 13,634. It was extremely windy here, and we knew the summit was maybe half an hour away, but it was 11:30 and the sun was making the snow very soft. The slope ahead of us definitely looked steep enough to be an avalanche danger, and the runout on either side was basically a drop-off. Beyond that, the ridge was also heavily corniced - Susan suggested that if we could just make it to the ridge, we could do that "au cheval" style like some climbers do the one on Shishapangma. I had already risked my manhood on enough barbed wire fences this month - so I was really glad she was kidding. It just didn't look too safe so we called it a day, we will get it next time. We felt even better about our decision when we noticed how much we were sinking into the unconsolidated snow on the way back, and how much the snow was "snow-balling" down every slope. We were back to camp at 2:30pm. Quickly tearing down camp we started hiking again at 3:30pm.

Heading on out after a long weekend of hiking

Arriving back to the trailhead at 6:30pm and very tired, but still very happy since most of the trip was great weather and even though we didn't get Bald Mountain it was still a wonderful climb. Susan I had a wonderful time and look forward to hiking with you again in the future.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

susanjoypaul

Next time
5/2/2008 10:53pm

I get to ride in the sled.

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