La Plata Peak Trip Report 03/15/2010

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	La Plata Peak - 14,344 feet
Date Posted	03/15/2010
Modified	03/16/2010
Date Climbed	08/22/2009
Author	OmahaAdam

La Plata - Northwest Ridge (almost!)
The three of us left the campsite about an hour later than we wanted and, in hindsight, about 3hrs too late overall. Got to the trailhead around 8am and headed out. Can't say that the forest was anything but smooth sailing. The stream crossings only increased our enthusiasm to summit our first fourteener. Not long after we began climbing stairs up toward the top of the gulch. Every so often a break in the trees provided a great view of our surroundings, including a look behind us. I was eating it up - don't get a lot of this in Omaha! Got up to the flatter section and really enjoyed the next while of easy terrain and great views of the upper gulch. Before long we began the switchbacks, which I honestly had no sense of scale for in looking at trip reports. I was genuinely excited to begin some more vertical travel. Shortly after this shot of where we've been, and where we were going it became time to put the camera away and work on getting up the mountain. Rest stops for us lowlanders were becoming more frequent and it was quite evident that we (ok, just me) had grossly overpacked for what, in my mind, was an epic mountaineering experience that 12yr old kids had no business being on. Though, the reality had already summitted and greeted us on his way down. By the time we got across the ridge crest at 13,500 we were sucking wind like a Dyson and clouds were beginning to roll in. At this point we made the decision to enjoy the view and call it while we still had a choice. The way down proved the adventure was far from over, scrambling down and sliding in scree, ever aware of our knees and the dangers of an unintentional rocky glissade. Shortly before we reached the treeline, our choice to descend proved the wiser as a few claps of thunder echoed around the gulch and was followed by light sprinkles. We made it to the trailhead, 100ft from the car just in time for the sky to open up and unload torrential rain. So in the end we never made the summit, but had we not turned around when we did I'm sure we would've not had such a positive experience. Learned a lot from my first summit attempt and will be back in June 2010 for more. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

La Plata - Northwest Ridge (almost!)

The three of us left the campsite about an hour later than we wanted and, in hindsight, about 3hrs too late overall. Got to the trailhead around 8am and headed out. Can't say that the forest was anything but smooth sailing. The stream crossings only increased our enthusiasm to summit our first fourteener. Not long after we began climbing stairs up toward the top of the gulch. Every so often a break in the trees provided a great view of our surroundings, including a look behind us. I was eating it up - don't get a lot of this in Omaha!

Got up to the flatter section and really enjoyed the next while of easy terrain and great views of the upper gulch. Before long we began the switchbacks, which I honestly had no sense of scale for in looking at trip reports. I was genuinely excited to begin some more vertical travel.

Shortly after this shot of where we've been, and where we were going it became time to put the camera away and work on getting up the mountain. Rest stops for us lowlanders were becoming more frequent and it was quite evident that we (ok, just me) had grossly overpacked for what, in my mind, was an epic mountaineering experience that 12yr old kids had no business being on. Though, the reality had already summitted and greeted us on his way down.

By the time we got across the ridge crest at 13,500 we were sucking wind like a Dyson and clouds were beginning to roll in. At this point we made the decision to enjoy the view and call it while we still had a choice. The way down proved the adventure was far from over, scrambling down and sliding in scree, ever aware of our knees and the dangers of an unintentional rocky glissade.

Shortly before we reached the treeline, our choice to descend proved the wiser as a few claps of thunder echoed around the gulch and was followed by light sprinkles. We made it to the trailhead, 100ft from the car just in time for the sky to open up and unload torrential rain.

So in the end we never made the summit, but had we not turned around when we did I'm sure we would've not had such a positive experience. Learned a lot from my first summit attempt and will be back in June 2010 for more.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions
Not registered?

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.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App