Mt. Bierstadt Trip Report 12/13/2009

Peak(s):	Mt. Bierstadt - 14,066 feet
Date Posted:	12/13/2009
Date Climbed:	12/12/2009
Author:	bednorz41@hotmail.com

Mt Bierstadt
Matt Oro, Beth C and I met at Grant off of 285 around 7:30 and drove up to Duck Luke where the gate was located and we had about 2 mile walk to the pass. We started around 8:30 and it took us about 1 hour to get to the pass. The road up to the gate had some snow on it but it wasnt too bad. Once we got up to the pass the wind was blowing hard and we took a short break in the bathrooms which were wind free. We strapped on our snow shoes and started to cross the willows. The snow wasnt too deep but we were glad we had them. Once we got up on the ridge the wind was blowing again. Up until this point the weather was stormy and overcast but we could see a little blue sky to the North. We headed up to the steepest part of the climb....about 12, 800 and the weather got better. We had crossed the area with the most wind with some ground blizzards and headed up to the summit ridge at 13,700. We kept our snowshoes on mostly for traction and they helped. We went up the South side of the summit ridge which had a nice cornice on it with the snowshoes. On top of Bierstadt there wasnt much wind at all. The sun was out and we were able to hang out there for about 20 minutes. It was cold....around 10 degres F and our water did freeze up a bit. I had hot chocolate in a thermos which was lukewarm and Matt had hot water to stay hydrated. Beth and I did not feel like drinking super cold water so got a little dehydrated on the trip. The hike down went pretty good. The sun came out and the wind died down. It took us around 5 hours to the top and 4 to get down. This was a great first winter climb this season. This was Matt Oro's first time climb of Bierstadt and he was able to summit like a seasoned climber. Thanks Matt Oro for climbing with us. Matt Bednorz and Beth Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mt Bierstadt

Matt Oro, Beth C and I met at Grant off of 285 around 7:30 and drove up to Duck Luke where the gate was located and we had about 2 mile walk to the pass. We started around 8:30 and it took us about 1 hour to get to the pass. The road up to the gate had some snow on it but it wasnt too bad. Once we got up to the pass the wind was blowing hard and we took a short break in the bathrooms which were wind free. We strapped on our snow shoes and started to cross the willows. The snow wasnt too deep but we were glad we had them. Once we got up on the ridge the wind was blowing again. Up until this point the weather was stormy and overcast but we could see a little blue sky to the North. We headed up to the steepest part of the climb....about 12, 800 and the weather got better. We had crossed the area with the most wind with some ground blizzards and headed up to the summit ridge at 13,700. We kept our snowshoes on mostly for traction and they helped. We went up the South side of the summit ridge which had a nice cornice on it with the snowshoes. On top of Bierstadt there wasnt much wind at all. The sun was out and we were able to hang out there for about 20 minutes. It was cold....around 10 degres F and our water did freeze up a bit. I had hot chocolate in a thermos which was lukewarm and Matt had hot water to stay hydrated. Beth and I did not feel like drinking super cold water so got a little dehydrated on the trip. The hike down went pretty good. The sun came out and the wind died down. It took us around 5 hours to the top and 4 to get down. This was a great first winter climb this season. This was Matt Oro's first time climb of Bierstadt and he was able to summit like a seasoned climber. Thanks Matt Oro for climbing with us.

Matt Bednorz and Beth

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

HikerHankey	Winter Solstice 12/14/2009 5:03pm The winter solstice begins on Monday December 21 @ 0947. Congratualtion on your hike. -Hankey
Wyoming Bob	Nice track ... 12/15/2009 1:07am Well done, followed your tracks the next day to 12,500 with more wind, horizontal snow, ice pellets stinging and a shorter, non summit day. Wind had pretty much taken our inbound tracks by the time we called retreat For others seeking to follow, road on our way out (Sunday at 2:30 pm) had 4+ inches of snow, a few ”drifty” spots here and there, but otherwise still passable. in Toyota Tacoma in 4wd. Curious . . . is Winter going to close the road or does the county plow to the gate . . . what say you locals, i.e. how long does this easy access back door to Bierstadt remain open?
ORO	Thanks Matt & Beth 1/2/2010 7:44pm Had a great time on the trip with you two! Thanks for letting me tag along and for your patience on the descent. Hope we can get together again sometime. Cheers.

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