Mt. Quandary on Saturday, November 7th.

[javy20040]

Hi there,

My friend Chad and I are going to hike Mt. Quandary this coming Saturday from the standard route. We are leaving from Denver at 4:00 am on Saturday and planning to start hiking around 6:00 am.

Let me know if you would like to join us.

javier

[LeeM]

Hello,
Ok first I admit my experience is limited compared to yours. I'm 51 years old. I am in great shape. Did my first century bike ride Sept 9th in 5hr 45min. Routinely I ride 44 miles for a quick workout, takes me 2hr 20min. So anyway, I have snowshoes, crampons(never used) I would probably need a ice axe, helmet? Do you bring a backpack with sleeping bag and bivy sack to be prepared for the worst? I have a GPS and know how to use it and loads of camping, hiking stuff. I have never climbed a mountain in the winter though but would love to try it. What is best, crampons or snowshoes? Hiking poles? Hope to hear from you.
Lee

[Bodhi]

Looks like the temps could be very nice on Saturday...which probably means lots of wind too. Bring your balaclava!

[javy20040]

Hey Bodhi,

I am ready for the wind!!!!! there is not ALMOST Quandary this time.

javy

[jgoodhart]

I think I would like to attend this trip. I haven't done Quandary yet but Saturday does look like a pretty nice day for it, considering the time of year. I would love to meet up with the group in Denver since I'd have to drive down from Fort Collins, and then maybe we could carpool to the trailhead.

[javy20040]

We are meeting at my house in Denver 3:45 am on Saturday. There is one more place in my car if you one to come with us. Send me a PM me for more details.

javier

[TylerStorm]

I think I'll tag along as well! I live just a few miles from the trailhead. What time are you all planning on starting?

[LeeM]

We are planning to start up the trail around 545 - 6 am. Come on out.
Lee

[rijaca]

We are planning to start up the trail around 545 - 6 am. Come on out.
Lee

Sunrise is ~6:40 am. I'm curious, why so early?

[MountainHiker]

We are planning to start up the trail around 545 - 6 am. Come on out.
Lee

brrrr

I'll see you guys when you're on the way down!
We're heading up there tomorrow, but plan to start at around 7:30.

[Jim Davies]

Sunrise is ~6:40 am. I'm curious, why so early?

Gotta beat those afternoon thunderstorms, you know.

[javy20040]

I like to be on the mountain by sunrise not at the Trailhead or leaving my house. And 6:00 am is late for me, I love to start 3 or 4 am. And, an early start give to you 90% summit. There isn't early or late start, whatever you like is fine with you, whatever I like is fine with me.
See you at the mountains guys.
Javier

[LeeM]

Now that I've done the peak I can say also there is a difference between firstlight and sunrise. Headlamps went off at 610 am, did not need them anymore. As far as beating the afternoon thunderstorms, well thats pretty funny. Good one, but this time of the year your beating the afternoon wind. We sat on the summit and the wind was about 4mph with gusts up to 6! maybe a little more...

[Griswolds]

Javier - Thanks again for organizing the trip ...beautiful sunrise, perfect conditions, and great company. We owned Quandary!

[jf32]

As of Sat Nov 7 - the trail on Quandary is very packed in - I would recommend microspikes or some other sort of traction device. I didn't use em cause I don't have them - but I think that they would have been useful. The weather today was great it didn't feel like a November climb - I had to go out of my way to get some use out of my gaiters.

I don't think snowshoes are necessary - that said I saw a few people using them.