Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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hollamby
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Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by hollamby »

Hey Everyone,

I haven't climbed anything in the Sawatch Range yet, and wondering what peaks are in the best condition for winter travel.

Thanks!
Ryan
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hollamby
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by hollamby »

Was thinking about Shavano, and Tabeguache double summit.

Thanks guys and gals,
Ryan
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mountainmicah83
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by mountainmicah83 »

There is a nice cut trail to the NW ridge of La Plata
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hollamby
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by hollamby »

How is the snow conditions? Need snowshoes?

Ryan
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jf32
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by jf32 »

hey - I was a part of a group that used their trail this past sat. We made the summit without snowshoes (traction devices and axes were useful). Not sure if any new snow has fallen.
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by hollamby »

How long did it take to summit and return?
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by jf32 »

we made it up in 5 hours and down in 4 (give or take and we hung out on the summit for a bit) - 2/3 of our group made the summit.
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by Papillon »

Does the trench that was cut on La Plata adhere to the standard NW Ridge route all the way or does it follow the "snowy variation" that avoids the questionable slopes?

Thanks in advance.
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by jf32 »

Papillon wrote:Does the trench that was cut on La Plata adhere to the standard NW Ridge route all the way or does it follow the "snowy variation" that avoids the questionable slopes?

Thanks in advance.
it's the winter variation

here is a helpful page from summit post that shows the route pretty well - i lost my camera 2 weeks ago otherwise i'd help you out with some pics
http://www.summitpost.org/route/269433/ ... oute-.html
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by hollamby »

How was the trailhead condition ?

Ryan
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by USAKeller »

hollamby wrote:How was the trailhead condition ?

Ryan
La Plata Peak TH off of 82 is accessible in winter. It's right off of the highway and I doubt you will have any problems.
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Re: Best Sawatch Range Peak Conditions

Post by hollamby »

USAKeller wrote:
hollamby wrote:How was the trailhead condition ?

Ryan
La Plata Peak TH off of 82 is accessible in winter. It's right off of the highway and I doubt you will have any problems.
Yup you were corrected. The TH was plowed out and fine.

But the climb was very difficult. Weather played a huge factor. Once I got above treeline (below treeline nice trail was cut) the trail was gone. SO I just climbed the ridges and was able to summit. But then a storm came rolling in (this was yesterday), and it started snowing and blowing whiteout. It took me five hours to summit, and 7 to get back to my car. The snow was so deep down in the woods, and I broke the number one winter hiking rule and was by myself.

Anyone have any questions about the mt shoot me a pm.

Ryan
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