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Decided on the Sawtooth to Evans. I did Bierstadt a few years ago and the Sawtooth looked just my style. Wasn't able to do it then.
Got up at 2:30 am and drove to the trailhead. Very windy! I was in the parking lot, filling water bottles and spilled some on the pavement...froze right now! Got settled up and off I went. I was solo.
Made the summit of Bierstadt in 1:45. Ran into a guy on the saddle just before the final slope to the top of Bierstadt. He slept up on the saddle the night before! He said it was super windy, cold, cold, cold, and was just counting the minutes for the sun to rise. He hauled a 90lb pack up there too..asked him WHY? He said he has been training for South America. Good luck to you my friend. Guy on saddle...slept up there!Guy heading for summit
Looked off to the descent towards the Sawtooth. Snowier than I expected. Off I went. Basically took a semi-direct line over to the lowest point of the ridge. I did try to stay on the rocks as the snow was either bullet hard or sugar. Made good time, moving quickly and I was on the wind protected side of the ridge so it was so nice and warm. Sun was out and life is good! Looking off Bierstadt towards SawtoothLooking off Bierstadt towards Sawtooth
Managed the Class 3/4 stuff ok and got around to the ramp exiting the Sawtooth. As soon as I came around that ridge to the shady side, the wind was whipping, colder for sure. The snow on the shady portions of the ramp was a bit dicey, so had to be careful. Walked the ramp out left and out on the top I came. Now the LONG walk to Evans. One foot in front of the other. Around the corner to the RampLooking back to the exit of the Ramp
Saw 2 other guys out ahead of me...they came up straight from the Guanella parking lot to do Evans. Met them on the summit of Evans. we all descended together, again heading basically straight down, as the 14ers.com descent states. There is a cairned route down through the willows.....take your time and find it. It makes life easy getting through the damn willows.
All in all it was a great day. The route was just what I was looking for.... a beautiful ridge, some nice Class3/4 stuff, windy but nice weather.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
There was a group of us over on Gray Wolf as well. I went over to Spalding after and then descended from Summit Lake. I looked over at Evans and wondered if anyone was over there. Beautiful day!
Congrats on a safe summit! Great TR - We thought about doing this on Friday as well but went for Massive instead. Hope to head up to the Sawtooth soon!
Nice to hear from you...now I know who you are! The hike over to Evans was very nice. Again, best of luck to you on your adventures.
Mike
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