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"...
One of the goals for this trip was to get as many pictures of the mountain wildlife as I could.
One down
More about the pika in a moment.
Arrived in Colorado Friday and wanted to start acclimating so I drove up to Guanella Pass that evening. Walked around taking pictures and felt fine.
Saturday I hiked up Mayflower Gulch, got up to 12K. I got a little winded a few times but other wise felt fine.
So, the plan for Sunday was to do Mt Sniktau and get to 13K feet.
I got to Loveland Pass a little before 6am and was on the trail by 6:00. BTW I didn't know there was no parking between 7pm and 7am.
As soon as I started up the incline I was sucking wind. I tried to regulate my pace to keep my respiration rate down, but it was uncomfortably slow. I finally worked into a rhythm of walking about 100' and stopping for a minute to catch my breath.
At one of my oxygen breaks I spotted Mount of the Holy Cross.
Boy you can see that from a long way off!
Sunlight hitting the pass
I came over the rise to the trail junction and got my first look at Torreys and Grays.
I looked at my watch and it was 7:00. 1K of elevation in an hour. I was VERY happy with that.
It was snack time so I dropped in behind the windbreak and enjoyed the views.
After that it was time to head for Sniktau. As I was going down the trail I started hearing these little "chirps". Bird like, but not quite. Then it dawned on me, could those be pika? I kept hearing them, but couldn't spot anything. Then finally I saw something scurry under some rocks. I stopped and a few seconds later it popped out on a rock. Yup, pika. I tried to get a picture but by the time I got the camera on it , it was gone. Well this went on all the way over to Sniktau.
After awhile I started getting a little po'd that I couldn't get a pika picture. Then I started to think, maybe I could skewer one with my hiking pole? Would I be able to prop it up in a lifelike pose ? I wonder what pika tastes like? Are these thoughts due to lack of oxygen?
Back to the TR
The walk over to Sniktau was pretty straight forward, What snow I had to walk on was hard on the way up, not so hard on the way back. Post holed up to my thighs once!
On the last pitch up to the summit I got off route a couple times, but that could have been due to pika fever.
Reached the summit at about 8:20 sat down and took in the scenery. After sitting quietly for a few minutes the pika came out long enough to get a picture.
They are cute little critters. This guy made me a little uneasy, the way he was looking at me. He might have been picking up on my bad karma.
All in all a very nice day, bluebird sky and a good hike. Was on the summit for an hour before anyone showed up. Chatted with them for a bit then headed down.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Some people really know how to have fun out there. Thanks for a very amusing report!
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.
