Log In 
Peak(s):  Fletcher Mountain  -  13,943 feet
Wheeler Mountain  -  13,698 feet
"Drift Peak"  -  13,915 feet
Date Posted:  08/23/2011
Date Climbed:   08/09/2011
Author:  jesse
 Wheeler Mtn to Drift Fletcher traverse   

My friends all wanted to camp and climb Quandary. I didn't want to climb it a 6th time so I opted to camp with them and tag a couple of 13ers climb Quandary's west ridge and descend with them. Drift Pk was the planned first goal, however after the sun started to rise I began to race uphill. I climbed to the ridgeline and on my way up realized I was 2 peaks too far south.
Image
Quandary Sunrise

Image
Sunrise from 13000ish

I checked my map and quick changed plans to scramble the ridgeline and tag 3 13ers and a ranked point.
Image
Wheeler Mtn summit(s)

Image
From the Summit of Wheeler Pk

After a bit of westside downclimbing I was on the summit of Wheeler Mtn (I think) and had a new view of my goals for the day.
Image
Looking N towards Drift Peak and Fletcher Mtn

After a quick breakfast I was on my way back down to the saddle and interested in the unknown climbing ahead. My rock shoes, slings, 4 cams, and 30m rope in pack I figured there was a way to make it work solo. I never took any of them out all day.
Image
I gained the ridge here climbed Wheeler and started Traverseing

Caught up in sunrise I took this buttress as a invigorating start to the day a few hundred feet of solid rock up to the ridgeline, the snowfield was 100% solid ice and I just avoided it completely.
Image
class 4 buttress I climbed at sunrise

Talus below, bright sun warming me, it was time to climb, move and enjoy the am.
Image
Morning Tower

Image
Looking back to Wheeler Pk from the West side of the ridge

Image
Great sustained class 3 or 4 scrambling

Image
Bypass any class 5+ on the West side of the ridge

Image
Up and down what amazing rock

Image
Partway across the ridge

Image
The best way down this block was in the tight crack

Image
View of the scramble

Image
Drift and Fletcher about halfway there!

Image

Image
A westside notch to avoid class 5

Image
More fun solid towers the rock below was loose talus

Image
The climb up to point (13630?)

Image
From pt 13630 looking at the final scramble up Drift Pks S ridge

After this high point the remaining scramble to Drift Pk was much easier and fully viewable.
Image
Great morning fun!

I've become very fond of long ridge scrambles, peak bagging along the way.
Image
From Drift Pk looking at the scramble to Wheeler Mtn

From the summit of Drift Pk there is a Notch to the north I had no interest in tangoing with, so I descended to the upper basin to traverse to Fletcher.
Image
Fletcher peak

Image
The Deep Notch just N of Drift Pk's summit

Image
The east side of the traverse from below

Image
Mmmmmm watermelon snow, hungry??

After a short talus hike I was on the 4th 13er of the day!
Image
Summit of Fletcher!!

Image
Great view of the entire ridge scramble!



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30


Comments or Questions
Jon Frohlich
User
Hard to tell...
8/24/2011 2:12am
But you may have been on the summit just to the north of the actual summit of Wheeler. The real summit has a small cairn and register. When we there in June we had a debate over which summit was right until we kept exploring south. That buttress must have been interesting! That gully next to it was our snow climb back in June. In your 3rd pic the actual summit is the farthest one south (far left).


jesse
User
Wheeler summit
8/24/2011 3:15am
I added a picture from what I think is that further south summit (4th pic)



   Not registered?


Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.


Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.