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"...
For my first 14er of the season, I decided to have a go at Handies Peak. It was on the list of "easier" 14ers and was near Pagosa Springs, where my wife, my son Cody, and I were spending some vacation time away from the Texas heat. So on a late June afternoon Cody and I abandoned Beverly in Pagosa, drove over to Lake City, and set up camp at the Grizzly Gulch campground. The night was clear with countless stars out. We had an enjoyable evening visiting with other hikers around a campfire, turned in early, and were on the trail well before daybreak.
Immediately after passing the tree line, we were greeted by this view of Handies bathed in early morning sunlight:
There is a solid trail all the way, and the peak stays in view the entire hike:
There are several water crossings requiring some rock hopping:
On the trail to the ridge, approaching from the right side, we became concerned about the snow up ahead:
A closer view as we approached the snow fields:
At around 13,500, the trail was covered by this snow field:
There were footprints in the snow that we could step in without needing the gaiters in our backpacks. But the snow was slushy and slippery. I took a few steps and the unstable footing was just outside my comfort zone. One slip would have resulted in a disastrous tumble. So we turned back within 500 feet of the summit. We didn't have crampons or ice axes. But even if we had, there wasn't much in the loose snowy mush to grab onto.
Even though we didn't reach the summit, it was a fun adventure. And as a consolation prize, we had this view as we hiked back to the campground:
The Handies summit will have to wait for another day. But I'm in no hurry. That mountain isn't going anywhere. And I'll be back.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Great mindset, I had my first turnaway to weeks ago on Belford. The mountain will remain for another day. Hard thing to grasp at first, but I‘m not going for a record here! It will wait for my end of summer summit! :D
Sorry to hear you didn‘t make it, but it sounds like a good decision, based on your situation. Thanks for posting conditions ... I hope to be up there soon.
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.
