1/26/2012 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 1/26/2012, By: happymtnclimber Info: I am by no means an expert, but I have enough avalanche experience and knowledge to know that the slope directly below treelike on the traditional Quandary Peak route has HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER. We saw huge (12+ ft) crown lines above and below where we were ascending and descending. My party met another person on the way down and there three of us very carefully navigated for an extra two hours in order to avoid the areas of highest danger. One of the scarier experiences of my life, as was shared by the man we met. Right now Quandary is not just an easy 14er, and I have a feeling that slope may slide soon. Proceed with extreme caution, I personally will think a lot more about avalanches before ascending a slope that I‘m not sure I can get down. I feel very lucky that we all made it out safely, but I know that it is indeed luck and I could have easily been buried alive just hours ago. |
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1/25/2012 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 1/26/2012, By: Mtn Izz Info: Our group of 3 went up just yesterday Jan 25th and had quite a different experience than the most recent report. We were able to avoid any waist deep snow on our ascent and made our summit successfully. Snow shoes are highly recommended and we were able to stash them once we got out of treeline. Our group was able to avoid any dangerous terrain that would be a deterrent for anyone... this was my first winter climb and I was keeping close track of any trip reports and updates with weather. Hopefully this helps for anyone planning to climb this peak. |
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1/24/2012 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 1/24/2012, By: Medic-5150 Info: Just got back from here. The trail is followable to treeline and mostly packed. We broke the trail for another mile further. I would recommend snow shoes. Just below tree line we got in waste deep powder. While struggling to get out the snow "popped" twice and started sliding...We turned around and headed home along with another group we encouraged to turn around. One guy went ahead of us and said the ridge has very little snow on it but getting to the ridge is mostly waste deep powder. The road is clear to where the plows are piling snow.Be careful of avalanches out there! |
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1/14/2012 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 1/14/2012, By: mtnmike Info: A testimony to the light winter...the trailhead is *still* drivable by any vehicle! Trail was well-defined and bootpacked below treeline. Above treeline it varies between hardpack, ice and even some patches of dry ground. Snowshoes probably not necessary until more snow falls, but traction (microspikes or yaktrax) are definitely useful. |
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1/7/2012 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 1/10/2012, By: jpfeif001 Info: The trail is snow packed and easy to follow. In the trees the snow is deep off trail, above treeline there wasn‘t much snow. However, there is a lot of ice on the trail, micro spikes are a plus. |
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1/3/2012 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 1/3/2012, By: katejen Info: Windy cold day on Quandary, but given it‘s the 3rd of Jan, it was a fantastic hike. No snow shoes needed, really good packed snow all the way up. Used yak trax and those were essential for the steep parts up after the false summit. Didn‘t use poles and was fine. Get out there before it snows again! |
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12/18/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 12/18/2011, By: hunterwf Info: Beautiful day on the peak. The road to the trailhead is snow packed and a 2WD vehicle is no problem. The trail below treeline in well packed and easy to follow. Trail about treeline is the same. No Snowshoes are needed. Had microspikes but didnt use them. |
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12/18/2011 Route: West Ridge Posted On: 12/19/2011, By: jbchalk Info: Great day on the west ridge. Conditions good. Took teh ridge proper the entire way. Little snow on the ridge proper. Had axe & crampons, but didnt use them. Descended the Cristo which is mix snow/rock and not good for skiing. |
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12/12/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 12/12/2011, By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Hiked the entire ridge in mountaineering boots - snowshoes or microspikes weren‘t necessary, although that could change soon. The trail was covered with packed snow most of the way. |
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12/10/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 12/10/2011, By: Vincopotamus Info: Beautiful, bluebird day with hardly a whisper of wind. A good amount of snow below treeline, but there‘s a solid trench right now. Above treeline, the route was mostly snowpacked, but most of the rest of the snow was wind-scoured. Traction would be very helpful, but not snowshoes unless you‘re into hiking with ankle-weights. |
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11/24/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 11/24/2011, By: Harry-4 Info: Beautiful day. Packed snow among the trees-- No idea what‘ll happen with the weather tonight--...didn‘t have poles, could have used them in spots towards the top. No need for snowshoes--except for a snowfield towards timberline that‘s about 75 yards long...windy and very cold at the top. Great day overall.. |
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11/23/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 11/23/2011, By: bpbragaw Info: No snow or relatively hard packed the whole way up. |
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11/11/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 11/11/2011, By: Unknown Info: Hard packed snow most the way. Didn‘t need snowshoes (even though I brought them). Microspikes were very helpful, and I think most of the other 6 or 7 people I saw had them on too. Saw a big horn sheep with it‘s full winter coat (see first pic). The pic quality sucks, but that‘s what I get for taking them with an iPhone. |
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10/29/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 10/29/2011, By: mtnmike Info: Soft snow and mud below treeline, hardpack snow and some ice above treeline. Snowshoes not needed, additional traction (microspikes/yaktrax) would not be a bad thing especially early morning before things soften up. Great day up there today - easy hike but a LOT of wind up high! Also, road is open to the trailhead....some snow but easily driven by pretty much any car. |
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10/21/2011 Route: East Ridge Posted On: 10/21/2011, By: ThuChad Info: All most all snow below tree line has melted. There is spotty snow patches above tree line but everything is manageable with hiking boots... or flip flops for one guy. I was impressed. Microspikes could help in a couple spots but I never put mine on. Definitely a great late season possibility right now. |
