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"...
April 08, 2011 13 Miles/9 Hours From CR-60
Participants: Brian & Nick
After a rough day on Evans B two weeks ago, and with a week off, I was ready to get back to the mountains. Not really sure of what to hit, Brian, (Smokey), recommended Whale Peak. Looking over the TR's, the only one that would be relevant was a route description from May, 2008. The approach was from CR-37 that leads to Jefferson Lake and had a winter closure at 9900'.
Not real excited about a snowy 16 mile day, Brian again recommended seeing how far up CR-60 (Grant, CO), we could make it and trying it from the Hall Valley /Gibson Lake side. Although we would be giving up the option to hit some 12ers on the way, we decided with the length and time of year, Whale would have to do. As long as we could make it at least 2 miles up CR-60, it would be a shorter day than the other approaches; we made it 3.8 miles, just before a plow drift.
The 4x4 road up to and past Gibson Lake and the Hall Valley Campground is a popular snow mobile trail and snow shoes weren't needed.
We came to a little clearing where the snow mobile tracks split up, about 10,900, we soon left the road at about 10,980 and headed for the trees just to the north of an east facing coulior. We exited the trees on just on top and made our way to Pt 11,948. This is probably what I'd call the "crux" of the day,(both ascending & descending). There is a safe way through the trees if time is taken to pick your route carefully, but the snow was extremely wet, and was glad when we were past.
A little behind schedule we hustled over to Pt. 13,001. (a soft-soft ranked "peak" on the Continental Divide).
From there it was a short trip over to Whale Peak.
Lookin back at Pt. 13,001
And back at the whole route to Pt. 11,948.
Weather was great, winds held back, best day out since last October.
A look over to Breckenridge.
Rosalie & Epaulet??
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Great job with your first trip report. Looking forward to the next trip allready!
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.
