Winter 2018 14ers attempt

[andrewhamilton]

To answer a couple questions from above, Andrea and I originally wanted to do redcloud, sunshine, and handies in one day so we thought using silver creek/grizzly gulch made the most sense instead of standard sunshine winter route. However breaking trail was slow going so there was no chance of that. The winter route for sunshine likely would have been a much better choice!

On San Luis I basically had to choose between miles of snowshoeing on the north facing aspect heading to San Luis, or the extremely windy ridgeline. I'll do about anything to avoid the snowshoeing so went with the high winds. It was way more spicy than I expected! Leave it to me to find a way to make San Luis scary!

[TomPierce]

Andrew,
Just curious (and apologies if you mentioned this way up the thread...), did you consider using AT skis for your effort? Some skiers think they work best in all conditions, but personally I think they're a tool that work best in many/most applications, but not all, e.g. steep lines through tight trees, etc. But for multi-mile slogging, an AT mountaineering set-up with skins is hard to beat. Much better flotation, etc.

Good luck in your journey, be safe.

-Tom

[andrewhamilton]

Andrew,
did you consider using AT skis for your effort? Some skiers think they work best in all conditions.
-Tom

Well, the truth is that it really isnt an option for me because I don't own AT skis, and from what I hear a good set up would be a little too expensive right now. It would be fun to be able to try though. Unfortunately, I do own several old pairs of snowshoes

I do have some old backcountry skis and used to be a decent tele skier but I don't know so far it doesn't seem like they would have been that great. Maybe if there was a long approach with good snow it would make sense.

[Sean Nunn]

It was way more spicy than I expected! Leave it to me to find a way to make San Luis scary!

Only a pro like you could pull that off Andrew.

Good luck on the rest of your quest.

[lodgling]

I do have some old backcountry skis and used to be a decent tele skier but I don't know so far it doesn't seem like they would have been that great. Maybe if there was a long approach with good snow it would make sense.

Do you have some tele boots? If you thought it would help I could probably hook you up with a loaner pair of light(ish)weight tele skis with a touring binding and skins for the remainder of the winter.

[andrewhamilton]

Do you have some tele boots? If you thought it would help I could probably hook you up with a loaner pair of light(ish)weight tele skis with a touring binding and skins for the remainder of the winter.

Hey that might be really nice! Thanks! Andrea has figured out a way for me to get out tomorrow to get in some more peaks, perhaps after that we could talk more about it?

Anyway I'm going to try to do the Blanca group tomorrow, I'll let you all know the latest conditions when I'm done! Don't think I will try the traverse though it might be a bit scary with snow or ice on it...

[lodgling]

I sent you a pm. Good luck and safe travels tomorrow!

[andreasansone]

He’s in the Sangres today, hopefully finishing up Little Bear Blanca and Ellingwood. He said there’s lots of snow and it’s slow going!

[Sean Nunn]

Keep going Andrew. You've got this!

[Phill the Thrill]

He’s in the Sangres today, hopefully finishing up Little Bear Blanca and Ellingwood. He said there’s lots of snow and it’s slow going!

Sounds like a long day! Good luck, Andrew!

[andreasansone]

He sure is going to have a lot to say about that Little Bear Blanca traverse ...

[Phill the Thrill]

He sure is going to have a lot to say about that Little Bear Blanca traverse ...

Wow, changed his mind about the traverse. Looks like he's about 1/2 way across, so he should arrive at the Blanca summit just before sundown.