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LiCaDem (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it)
Mileage: ~7.25
Elevation Gain: ~3,700'
Partner(s): kansas & me with special appearances by USAKeller and comin2getcha
At first, I had little intention to ever write a TR for this trip. It's just Decalibron, nothing exciting. But as the day unfolded, it turned out to be a great day hiking with pretty views of snow covered peaks, and a day for meeting new partners. But I still wasn't convinced, until I saw the demented chocolate starfish...
Starting the slog up the choss pile Bross:
After fighting in the talus for a while, we decide to make an end run up to the snowy ridge, where the hiking soon became easier:
Over the snow ridge we find a trail:
We follow the trail and obey the signs...
Here's a view of the northern Sawatch from La Plata to Massive, with the Elks behind:
Zoom in of the Elks:
On some bump on the ridge we take a group photo, since there's a CU game calling USAKeller and comin2getcha away from the mountains and their altitude training: (Stupid camera timers: Darrin ripped my hat off seconds before the photo...)
So Darrin and I continue on to the first real looking summit of the day: Lincoln, while the other half of the group veers off to Cameron and a descent:
Mt Lincoln was windy, so we descend slightly to the NE to eat some pizza and put on some moleskin. Breaking in some new boots today... Just an easy hike, right?
Greys and Torreys off in the distance
Oh look, Mt Hope with the curvy ridge to the left of La Plata... Last weekend's adventure:
Amusingly it took my GPS to find the unofficial summit of Mt Cameron. Guess my memory from 9 years ago is a bit fuzzy...
A look back to Mt Lincoln:
A look at the choss pile that is Mt Bross:
Descending the ridge to the saddle between Cameron and Democrat the snow is softening and becoming rather slushy:
Mt Democrat, the final objective for the day:
A look to the north from the saddle, at the variety of high 13ers near Quandary Peak:
Up we slog on the Mt Democrat slope, sorry that there isn't enough snow to make it more fun/easier. Not many glissading possibilities just yet. We were happy to make the upper section of the peak, and decided to drop our packs in a more wind still area just below the peak proper.
Some peak panoramas:
While doing the routine panoramas, something that had been catching my eye for awhile becomes clearer:
Still don't see it? Here's a bigger version:
No? Here I'll draw it in for you. A demented chocolate starfish on the side of Quandary.
That's something I missed when I hiked these peaks 9 years ago in summer. A little bit of snow is required to see that weird thing.
So we descend off the windy peak to eat a little bit more before the sun goes lower in the sky.
Too bad Drift Peak is unofficial, it looks so pretty from here!
Fletcher Mtn, Atlantic, Pacific and Crystal 13ers:
The southern Gore Range, with Red Peak A lookin‘ snowy:
View down to Kite Lake, with snowy side and non snowy side:
Just something pretty:
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
It was great to meet you both and spend part of the day with you. Nice job on the TR and getting the peaks. We will hit some more together! Darrin - of course Caroline had to buy the Patagonia R1 as soon as we returned home.
I‘ll echo Lance‘s thoughts - it was very nice to meet you both; I‘m looking forward to some winter climbs! Darrin, you just need skis!
Yep, that R1 hoody was possibly the best and most practical thing I bought for Orizaba! LOVED IT!
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. Thanks for posting. Happy trails! 
