Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point via Zapata Falls trail in December

[bpolley3]

Hi all, this is my first post on here. I searched the forums for a similar question/experience but couldn’t find any. As the subject suggests, I’m planning on a December ascent of Ellingwood Point and Blanca Peak on the Zapata falls trail. I’m camping at the Zapata falls campground. I’m curious what conditions I’ll be working with in mid December. Also if anyone has any tips, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[justiner]

Wintry. I would certainly check the avalanche forecast but preface that the avalanche forecast is pretty spotty for the Sangres.

[Wentzl]

I sorta like these "what conditions will I encounter" posts. I wonder who asks this sort of question. Not anyone who has ever climbed a mountain.

You will likely have bare ground, mid December is dry around here. But you might catch a giant snowfall that will leave unstable snow that will kill you for sure.

You want a tip? Go prepared for anything, have fun, post a report after the event.

I got $5 says you won't even get your feet wet

[bpolley3]

Thanks! I haven’t climbed a mountain like this but I’ve climbed 3 smaller desert mountains. Bear mountain, Guadalupe peak, and Emory peak. Drove up pikes peak and hung out for a while once, didn’t feel the altitude. I tend to overpack and be prepared for anything like you said. But good to hear there’s a chance for bare ground, although I’m not opposed to snow if it’s hard packed. I’ve been reading an avalanche safety book about reading snowpack. I also rock climb and boulder a lot and have built up a high aerobic capacity commuting on my bicycle.

[justiner]

You will likely have bare ground, mid December is dry around here.

The three TR's for Ellingwood in December look pretty snowy. None of them go the Zapata Falls route.

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=20916

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=15754

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=13203

I would think the C2 couloir is going to be a big pain in your ass with unconsolidated snow.

[bpolley3]

You will likely have bare ground, mid December is dry around here.

The three TR's for Ellingwood in December look pretty snowy. None of them go the Zapata Falls route.

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=20916

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=15754

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=13203

I would think the C2 couloir is going to be a big pain in your ass with unconsolidated snow.

What about the C3 gulley?

[CaptainSuburbia]

Here's a report I did for that route.
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... m=tripmine

It's for June though and there was probably a lot more snow up high and a lot less snow down low then you'll find in December. Maybe it'll help with some route info? Couloirs are for spring though so I wouldn't recommend.

[Wentzl]

captian suburbia has excellent information that will inform your hike most excellently. June trip reports are the best source of information for a hike planned in december and there is nothing better than that. thank you for your suggestion and I think you will have an excellent experience on your planned hike. most times there will not be too much snow, but sometimes there might be some, or some more. have fun, be well

[ekalina]

What about the C3 gulley?

You didn't do anything wrong OP. But you should probably avoid gullies or couloirs in December in Colorado. There won't be much stable snow until spring, so avalanche risk is a concern any time you're on or under steep terrain that isn't windblown.

Is there a reason you picked these two peaks in particular? It doesn't sound like you have much winter experience, and it takes a while to dial in your gear and figure out how to manage your energy and pace in cold, windy, snowy weather. An "easier" 14er like Quandary or Bierstadt would be a better choice and likely still present a stiff challenge.

[bpolley3]

Here's a report I did for that route.
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... m=tripmine

It's for June though and there was probably a lot more snow up high and a lot less snow down low then you'll find in December. Maybe it'll help with some route info? Couloirs are for spring though so I wouldn't recommend.

That was a good read! Thanks for sharing it. That’s neat you went down crossfire after reading how dangerous it was

[bpolley3]

What about the C3 gulley?

You didn't do anything wrong OP. But you should probably avoid gullies or couloirs in December in Colorado. There won't be much stable snow until spring, so avalanche risk is a concern any time you're on or under steep terrain that isn't windblown.

Is there a reason you picked these two peaks in particular? It doesn't sound like you have much winter experience, and it takes a while to dial in your gear and figure out how to manage your energy and pace in cold, windy, snowy weather. An "easier" 14er like Quandary or Bierstadt would be a better choice and likely still present a stiff challenge.

I was planning on visiting the great sand dunes national park and camping at Zapata falls campground. I saw this was a cool looking hike/climb in the area and started looking into it. So is the only way to climb these in the winter starting on the lake Como road? I will look into those as well. Thank you

[interloper]

OP, based on your stated experience level, I would highly recommend gaining some experience with other, safer winter 14er ascents before you attempt Blanca or Ellingwood. They're not technical peaks, but they are far more difficult and dangerous in the winter than in the summer when they're dry. The final ascents up to both peaks can be incredibly icy and the exposure near both summits is considerable, especially on the traverse between the two. Depending on conditions, it could be very difficult to stick to the standard route. If you don't know what you're doing or get off route or take a bad step, it's very easy for something to go very wrong very quickly.

I say this to you as a member of Alamosa's SAR team - the team that responds to injured/missing hikers on the Mount Blanca massif. We don't want you to get hurt or killed. If you'd like recommendations about other, safer hikes in the area I would be happy to share some ideas with you.