Mt. Bancroft Trip Report 12/11/2011

Peak(s):	Mt. Bancroft - 13,250 feet
Date Posted:	12/11/2011
Modified:	12/12/2011
Date Climbed:	12/10/2011
Author:	SurfNTurf
Additional Members:	JohnP FTC, Brian C

Smooth Sailing on the East Ridge
MOUNTAIN: Mt. Bancroft (13,250') ROUTE: East Ridge Direct RT GAIN: ~3,000 feet RT DISTANCE: ~8 miles RT TIME: ~8 hours CLIMBERS: Brian (BrianC), John (JohnP FTC), Jeff (SurfNTurf) I like snow. It's December. Dave Cooper's book describes the East Ridge of Mt. Bancroft as an enjoyable snow climb in December. So, duh. When Brian (BrianC) posted about an attempt on Dec. 10, it seemed enticing. When the forecast called for a high of 24 degrees and no wind, it seemed too good to be true. How could I say no to that? East Ridge in profile I can't thank Brian and John enough for allowing me to tag along. I have the requisite gear and some experience with Class 5, but the East Ridge would be by first true attempt at "alpine climbing." I explained my newbie status to Brian after he posted about trying the route. His gracious response was, "Come along!" We drove up I-70 early Saturday, enjoying views of the lunar eclipse before we lost sight of it in the booming metropolis of Alice, CO. John was able to drive about 1/3 of a mile from the turnoff before parking near the closed winter gate. The brisk hike to Loch Lomond alternated between frozen scree, insidious ice and knee-deep snow. We covered it quickly and stashed our snowshoes, which we never used, at the lake. A few Class 2 switchbacks later we were on the ridge and staring our objective dead in the eye. Brian and John nearing the ridge proper, in adorably matching Nano Puffs Frozen Loch Lomond Brian starting the fun Brian and me beginning on the ridge (photo by John) (photo by John) The snowy talus was easy to negotiate and the weather felt more like September than December. Before long, we were down to baselayers and worrying about sunburn. I wondered why I was carrying mittens. The wind reminded me of Tim Tebow's long-term future in the NFL -- something that doesn't exist. A few Class 3 moves later, we were breaking out the rope for the technical crux, an 80-foot rappel into a notch followed by a 30-foot pitch of Class 5. The conditions in the crux were almost eerie. In a spot notorious for hellacious wind and cold, we strutted around in only one or two layers. Brian setting up the rappel If I'd known this was my "stance" at the time I would have had to change pants (photo by John) Me, rappeling into the notch (photo by John) Down comes John The biggest nuisance of the day became apparent once we landed in the notch: the snow sucked. The many knife-edges this route crosses comprised either bare, slick rocks or loose snow that probably couldn't support the weight of a feather. Our crampons stayed in our packs. Brian started leading up the Class 5 face, but the normal 5.2 route was much stiffer than that considering wet mountaineering boots and snow-covered ledges. Brian instead led around to the left up a pitch consisting of an ice-and-snow chimney, which was too narrow for our winter packs. Brian left his on a ledge to be hauled up later, and I chose a face slightly to the left after trying to pull a move in the chimney and getting stuck. John cast a spell or levitated or something and climbed up the chimney wearing his. Brian getting creative on lead, before we went around left The notch is the route's technical crux, but it wasn't the most attention-grabbing section. It was immediately followed by a knife-edge of icy rocks and unconsolidated snow. Unlike Kelso Ridge, the scrambling was relentless. Hundreds of feet of Class 3 and Class 4 scambling later -- including some very awkward moves over considerable exposure -- we topped out on the ridge and stashed our technical gear in favor of trekking poles. In perfect weather, the summit was a foregone conclusion. Brian and me crossing the knife edge immediately after the notch (photo by John) Me, going "a cheval" on terrible snow (Photo by John) Difficulties over -- the true summit beckons for John and Brian Grays/Torreys Longs Peak, RMNP and the IPW Group summit shot, looking tough (L-R John, Brian, Me) We descended the much mellower Southeast Ridge, though not without negotiating some annoyingly unconsolidated snow. Luckily none of our incessant talus postholing resulted in anything more than a few curse words. Once we gained the road, it was an easy cruise to the snowshoe stash and John's car. Back in Denver before dark! Thanks once again to John and Brian for an amazing, memorable day. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Smooth Sailing on the East Ridge

MOUNTAIN: Mt. Bancroft (13,250')
ROUTE: East Ridge Direct
RT GAIN: ~3,000 feet
RT DISTANCE: ~8 miles
RT TIME: ~8 hours
CLIMBERS: Brian (BrianC), John (JohnP FTC), Jeff (SurfNTurf)

I like snow. It's December. Dave Cooper's book describes the East Ridge of Mt. Bancroft as an enjoyable snow climb in December. So, duh. When Brian (BrianC) posted about an attempt on Dec. 10, it seemed enticing. When the forecast called for a high of 24 degrees and no wind, it seemed too good to be true. How could I say no to that?

I can't thank Brian and John enough for allowing me to tag along. I have the requisite gear and some experience with Class 5, but the East Ridge would be by first true attempt at "alpine climbing." I explained my newbie status to Brian after he posted about trying the route. His gracious response was, "Come along!"

We drove up I-70 early Saturday, enjoying views of the lunar eclipse before we lost sight of it in the booming metropolis of Alice, CO. John was able to drive about 1/3 of a mile from the turnoff before parking near the closed winter gate. The brisk hike to Loch Lomond alternated between frozen scree, insidious ice and knee-deep snow. We covered it quickly and stashed our snowshoes, which we never used, at the lake. A few Class 2 switchbacks later we were on the ridge and staring our objective dead in the eye.

Brian and John nearing the ridge proper, in adorably matching Nano Puffs

Brian and me beginning on the ridge (photo by John)

The snowy talus was easy to negotiate and the weather felt more like September than December. Before long, we were down to baselayers and worrying about sunburn. I wondered why I was carrying mittens. The wind reminded me of Tim Tebow's long-term future in the NFL -- something that doesn't exist. A few Class 3 moves later, we were breaking out the rope for the technical crux, an 80-foot rappel into a notch followed by a 30-foot pitch of Class 5. The conditions in the crux were almost eerie. In a spot notorious for hellacious wind and cold, we strutted around in only one or two layers.

If I'd known this was my "stance" at the time I would have had to change pants (photo by John)

Me, rappeling into the notch (photo by John)

The biggest nuisance of the day became apparent once we landed in the notch: the snow sucked. The many knife-edges this route crosses comprised either bare, slick rocks or loose snow that probably couldn't support the weight of a feather. Our crampons stayed in our packs. Brian started leading up the Class 5 face, but the normal 5.2 route was much stiffer than that considering wet mountaineering boots and snow-covered ledges. Brian instead led around to the left up a pitch consisting of an ice-and-snow chimney, which was too narrow for our winter packs. Brian left his on a ledge to be hauled up later, and I chose a face slightly to the left after trying to pull a move in the chimney and getting stuck. John cast a spell or levitated or something and climbed up the chimney wearing his.

Brian getting creative on lead, before we went around left

The notch is the route's technical crux, but it wasn't the most attention-grabbing section. It was immediately followed by a knife-edge of icy rocks and unconsolidated snow. Unlike Kelso Ridge, the scrambling was relentless. Hundreds of feet of Class 3 and Class 4 scambling later -- including some very awkward moves over considerable exposure -- we topped out on the ridge and stashed our technical gear in favor of trekking poles. In perfect weather, the summit was a foregone conclusion.

Brian and me crossing the knife edge immediately after the notch (photo by John)

Me, going "a cheval" on terrible snow (Photo by John)

Difficulties over -- the true summit beckons for John and Brian

Group summit shot, looking tough (L-R John, Brian, Me)

We descended the much mellower Southeast Ridge, though not without negotiating some annoyingly unconsolidated snow. Luckily none of our incessant talus postholing resulted in anything more than a few curse words. Once we gained the road, it was an easy cruise to the snowshoe stash and John's car. Back in Denver before dark! Thanks once again to John and Brian for an amazing, memorable day.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

14erdudethatcan	Nice climb 12/12/2011 02:52 That was an enjoyable writeup to read. Sounds like you all had a great day! Thank you for posting.
dillonsarnelli	no love for Tebow? 12/12/2011 03:11 Jeff, I waved to you from Evans, but I don't think you saw me. I've got to brush up on the Colorado/climbing lingo, but from what I could translate and these great pictures, this looks awesome! Nice job.
RJansen77	This looks excellent 12/12/2011 03:24 Fine work gentlemen, the tough summit shot is certainly justified with the technicality of the route, and +1 for the matching Nano Puffs.
dmccool	A cheval 12/12/2011 14:10 Get the knife edge humping out of your system now, big man. We're tight-roping Capitol's this summer. BTW, the SurfNTurfer cursing at a talus field??? No way.
TeamDino5280	Sweet! 12/12/2011 15:40 Great work and great pictures of the route. I have been looking at that for a while!
SnowAlien	Great route and photos 04/02/2015 19:45 Wish I could make this one. Weather was indeed stellar!

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