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Peak(s):  Mt. Massive  -  14,427 feet
Date Posted:  06/06/2009
Modified:  06/10/2009
Date Climbed:   06/04/2009
Author:  jesse
 Massive Snow Climb   

I left Denver at 8:30 and after 15min of tossing rocks to overcome a 4x4 obstacle in my Santa Fe I arrived at the N. Halfmoon TH at 11:30. After packing my backpack I decided to go light and carry the ice axe but not the snowshoes. I got up at 4:30 and started charging, solo climbing is always a contest with myself.

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Morning light I just wish I was higher to catch sunrise.

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Elbert looking very snowy!

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I left the basin and started up the newer trail, I remember a few years ago watching the wonderful people at CO 14ers initiative build it. A big TY to them!

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Mt Lion/Bobcat Tracks...?

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The rocks had a small amount of pellet snow which made them slick so I opted to try for a snow climb, after a few steps that didn't end in postholes I excitedly started pushing up the snow slope.

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The ice axe was indispensable!

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Axe pole combo treated me well, I made great time up the Mountainside.

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A moment to contemplate dangers of 14ering alone.

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I love this shot so lucky to have it!

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The ridge was beautiful, getting to look at all the Sawatch Peaks that I've climbed is one of the best parts of climbing any of them again.

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A few steps up this slope were postholes but it didn't matter.

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The Summit was cold so out came the Bear!

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Yeah! South Massive check!

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An east slopes ski descent would still be very nice.

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I utilized the snow slope to practice my self arrests, I got about 20 in building my mountaineering skills .

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What a fun descent very fast.

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I was breaking and changing out of all the warm layers when I saw a Goat. Ten minuets later after creeping closer to them I saw it was a family mom dad and toddler goats!

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What a great way to end an awesome climb, I wish sometimes that my avatar was a goat not a Bear :X

I ran down the nice trail to the car and was back on the 4x4 road at 10:30. Great to have a good solo day on a beautiful mountain, and although I've climbed it twice now I know I'll be back.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
JA_son27
User
Sweet pictures
6/7/2009 5:11pm
I love that pic with you holding your axe with the sun over your arm as if to say ”I am here to kick your a**!”


cftbq
User
A man of few words
6/8/2009 3:11pm
The bear (?) suit is just too much. Thanks for the nice pictures; I see there‘s still plenty of snow!


shnick
The Bears
6/15/2009 5:50am
looks clear enough, glad you knocked it out again, headed up soon myself



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