An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
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- OldTrad
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An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
For anyone interested in Blanca, the following is a MUST READ. Unfortunately, Super Topo is 95% decommissioned - so much awesome recorded history on there, especially re: Yosemite Valley climbing, has already been lost. Hence, read this article before it's lost too. Enjoy!
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/An-Absurd-O ... 3125n.html
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/An-Absurd-O ... 3125n.html
- JulianSmith
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
Wow, super cool. Thanks for sharing. My own first experience with Blanca was a solo trip up the Ormes Buttress. I love reading about some of the more off the beaten path ascents that take place on 14-ers.
- greenonion
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
That was really good. Great writing. Thanks for sharing!
Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
Blows my mind when I see these stories from the 70’s or earlier. We have it so much easier these days.
- SkaredShtles
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
You know... you can save the good stuff yourself off that site if you're concerned about it being lost...OldTrad wrote: ↑Fri Jan 28, 2022 7:42 am For anyone interested in Blanca, the following is a MUST READ. Unfortunately, Super Topo is 95% decommissioned - so much awesome recorded history on there, especially re: Yosemite Valley climbing, has already been lost. Hence, read this article before it's lost too. Enjoy!
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/An-Absurd-O ... 3125n.html
- benmangelsdorf
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
Really cool, thanks for sharing. Love this:
"Fast forward to the mid 1980’s and a rational approach up Huerfano Creek in July with warm temperatures, long days, and magnificent fields of wildflowers. Really, people, this is the way the mountains ought to be enjoyed."
<3
"Fast forward to the mid 1980’s and a rational approach up Huerfano Creek in July with warm temperatures, long days, and magnificent fields of wildflowers. Really, people, this is the way the mountains ought to be enjoyed."
<3
- OldTrad
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
Of course, and I have. Unfortunately certain gems were lost, but I only realized that too late after thinking ST would remain as an archive.SkaredShtles wrote: ↑Fri Jan 28, 2022 10:47 amYou know... you can save the good stuff yourself off that site if you're concerned about it being lost...OldTrad wrote: ↑Fri Jan 28, 2022 7:42 am For anyone interested in Blanca, the following is a MUST READ. Unfortunately, Super Topo is 95% decommissioned - so much awesome recorded history on there, especially re: Yosemite Valley climbing, has already been lost. Hence, read this article before it's lost too. Enjoy!
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/An-Absurd-O ... 3125n.html
- Cygnus X1
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
I think someone else has an absurd obsession with Blanca. Maybe you shouldn't move to Italy.
Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
Hard to tell where exactly they climbed, but we did similar in 2010 because it looked quick and direct. I was not thrilled with the route choice but also was inexperienced-enough to not know just how dumb it was.
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=7866
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=7866
"There are no hard 14ers, but some are easier than others." - Scott P
http://throughpolarizedeyes.com
http://throughpolarizedeyes.com
- mindfolded
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
I like this little bit of conspiracy theory.By this time the old miners’ cabin had burned down due to some USFS-induced “lightning-caused” fire, so we set up a tent to serve as our base camp.
- OldTrad
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
The routes Nick described were all on the opposite side of Blanca from where you guys were - i.e., the Huerfano side, not the Como side. Two of the routes he describes are somewhat well known - Gash Ridge and the so-called Mountaineer's Route, the latter being the route he kept returning to and for those who don't know is the huge, sweeping gully just right/north of Ormes Buttress.
- randalmartin
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Re: An Absurd Obsession, the north face of Blanca Peak (read this before it's deleted on ST)
You really should check out the book "Spell of the Rockies" by Enos Mills. His book was published in 1911. In it he has a chapter titled Sierra Blanca where he describes ascending the North Face, summiting Blanca at sunset and descending the South face and walking out to Fort Garland. It is a pretty amazing account in Winter!!