anyone been up in the last couple weeks and can report if there is snow in the "C2 gully"?
also, from study I have a mixed impression of the risk at the top of that (going up and going down) as well as the risk just below the summit on the N ridge...Is the rock and footing reasonably stable?
tx
conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
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ronbco
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
Hmmmm...that's not a often travelled and reported here route. Also the only nearby peaks you could see it from are Twin Peaks and 13660A which aren't climbed very often.
But, I'm sure if the C2 Gully is not melted out when you go up there the C3 gully that I used on my climb of Ellingwood will be melted out by now.
http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=12100" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But, I'm sure if the C2 Gully is not melted out when you go up there the C3 gully that I used on my climb of Ellingwood will be melted out by now.
http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=12100" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
• It's by getting away from life that we can see it most clearly... It's by depriving ourselves of the myriad of everyday experiences that we renew our appreciation for them...I've learned from my experiences in the mountains that I love life. — Dave Johnston
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painless4u2
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
Don't know about current conditions, but the rock up that couloir isn't bad, pretty standard rock pile. Just a bit slow going. Up top near the summit, the exposure increases, but the rock is mostly solid. Great hike, highly recommended.
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ronbco
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
Thanks for the replies gents!
Your 2 trip reports are what inspired me to plan for this route. I'm going up it on monday with my adult sons and nephew.
I assume "C3" is to the right of "C2" (looking up).
Painless, sounds like perhaps you went around the steep section at the top to get to the main route to the summit?
Jed, is the downclimb from the Ellingwood summit on the return is reasonable? Must be because you didn't comment on it. I assume it is just a short section of exposed class 3 (< 10 min)?
Any other recon on the hike in from the Z falls trailhead?
Your 2 trip reports are what inspired me to plan for this route. I'm going up it on monday with my adult sons and nephew.
I assume "C3" is to the right of "C2" (looking up).
Painless, sounds like perhaps you went around the steep section at the top to get to the main route to the summit?
Jed, is the downclimb from the Ellingwood summit on the return is reasonable? Must be because you didn't comment on it. I assume it is just a short section of exposed class 3 (< 10 min)?
Any other recon on the hike in from the Z falls trailhead?
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painless4u2
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
Yeah, just before you get to the summit, you stay below the ridge to climbers right on some obvious ledges. This will take you over to the traditional route and up the final bit to the top. There is some exposure there but nothing crazy. You guys have fun.
Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
There is a gpx with the TR. from S Zapata Lake you head right up grass and rock to the upper part of the basin. Once you get up there you'll see the C3 Couloir. I'm guessing C2 will be mostly if not all melted out by now. Have fun!
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joe2002
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
We did this route last year right around this time and there was no snow at all. The rock is very solid, and you shouldn't have much problem.
If you have the means, I would take 2 cars. We parked one at Como and the other at Zapata in case we ran into weather. We turned it into a sort of loop. It worked out since we ran into a nasty hail/thunderstorm and downclimbing Ellingwood back to Zapata would have been tough.
If you have the means, I would take 2 cars. We parked one at Como and the other at Zapata in case we ran into weather. We turned it into a sort of loop. It worked out since we ran into a nasty hail/thunderstorm and downclimbing Ellingwood back to Zapata would have been tough.
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EVEREST DREAMS
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
I agree one of my favorite routes.
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ronbco
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Re: conditions of cols from Zapata Lake to Ellingwood
Well, since I have now returned from this hike I can answer my own question 
Crossfire and C2 cols are snow free. I did not see C3, but am quite confident it must also be snow free.
But note that the rock/dirt in C2 has moderate risk. We ended up with a member with stitches as the result of a boulder that broke off with a quite limited hand hold.
Crossfire and C2 cols are snow free. I did not see C3, but am quite confident it must also be snow free.
But note that the rock/dirt in C2 has moderate risk. We ended up with a member with stitches as the result of a boulder that broke off with a quite limited hand hold.
