Peak(s):	Mt. of the Holy Cross - 14,007 feet
Date Posted:	09/01/2010
Date Climbed:	08/28/2010
Author:	I am the marmot

Mt of the Holy Cross - standard route
Interesting day on Mt. of the Holy Cross We left the trailhead using headlamps at 5:40 a.m. Got to the top of Half Moon Pass just in time to get a beautiful sunrise picture While hiking we heard and saw an army helicopter approaching the face of the summit twice. Here's a picture of the face. While working our way along the North Ridge, before the final pitch of the summit, found out that there was a stranded climber on the face who had spent the night. He was located near the top, right side, between Cross and Angelica couloirs, below small patch of snow. This was our 24th 14'er and first exposure to a SARS rescue. While continuing our way along the North Ridge, saw SARS team (assumed dropped off by the chopper) below snow patch, working stranded climber to safety. As we worked our way on the western facing approach to the summit, saw SARS and resuced climber working their way to the saddle south of the summit. It was at this time we heard the chopper climbing to the saddle which is about 13,500'. We estimate we were about at 13,800' when the next set of pictures were taken showing the chopper coming in and picking up the rescued climber and some of the SARS team (?). Chopper took off down the Cross Creek Valley. We summited at 9:50 AM with light winds and clouds building. Shortly after summiting, the chopper came back to pick up the remaining SARS team. And again, approached in the same manner and took off down the Cross Creek Valley. Last pic shows chopper going down the Cross Creek Valley, about slightly left of middle of pic. All in all a very good day. We spent about 35 minutes on top and finished at 2:10 PM. Enjoyed the class 2 boulders along the ridge and summit approach. Glad we started early as we finished the last mile or so in light rain (would not have enjoyed the boulders in the rain!). Also, thought the 1,000' gain near the end not as bad as feared. AND very glad the climber was safe. The chopper and SARS guys have big cahones! Our utmost respect for them! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mt of the Holy Cross - standard route

Interesting day on Mt. of the Holy Cross

We left the trailhead using headlamps at 5:40 a.m. Got to the top of Half Moon Pass just in time to get a beautiful sunrise picture

While hiking we heard and saw an army helicopter approaching the face of the summit twice. Here's a picture of the face. While working our way along the North Ridge, before the final pitch of the summit, found out that there was a stranded climber on the face who had spent the night. He was located near the top, right side, between Cross and Angelica couloirs, below small patch of snow. This was our 24th 14'er and first exposure to a SARS rescue.

While continuing our way along the North Ridge, saw SARS team (assumed dropped off by the chopper) below snow patch, working stranded climber to safety. As we worked our way on the western facing approach to the summit, saw SARS and resuced climber working their way to the saddle south of the summit. It was at this time we heard the chopper climbing to the saddle which is about 13,500'. We estimate we were about at 13,800' when the next set of pictures were taken showing the chopper coming in and picking up the rescued climber and some of the SARS team (?). Chopper took off down the Cross Creek Valley.

We summited at 9:50 AM with light winds and clouds building. Shortly after summiting, the chopper came back to pick up the remaining SARS team. And again, approached in the same manner and took off down the Cross Creek Valley. Last pic shows chopper going down the Cross Creek Valley, about slightly left of middle of pic.

All in all a very good day. We spent about 35 minutes on top and finished at 2:10 PM. Enjoyed the class 2 boulders along the ridge and summit approach. Glad we started early as we finished the last mile or so in light rain (would not have enjoyed the boulders in the rain!). Also, thought the 1,000' gain near the end not as bad as feared. AND very glad the climber was safe. The chopper and SARS guys have big cahones! Our utmost respect for them!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

robby40	Interesting 9/2/2010 1:10am Interesting for sure. Thanks.
Wish I lived in CO	Stunning Sunrise! 9/2/2010 12:09pm Also interesting SAR chopper pics.
bohdi88	I might add... 9/2/2010 12:43pm these Search and Rescue people are all volunteers. They put themselves in hairy situations at time to help. If you have the time - volunteer in your county. I have for over two years and find it very rewarding. What you do not know - you will be taught to get up to speed. People from all walks of life do it. Alot of people throughout the year count on us. http://www.pcsar.org/

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Interesting day on Mt. of the Holy Cross

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