North Arapaho Peak Trip Report 08/14/2012

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	North Arapaho Peak - 13,513 feet South Arapaho Peak - 13,408 feet
Date Posted	08/14/2012
Modified	08/15/2012
Date Climbed	08/12/2012
Author	TaylorHolt

Arapaho Traverse
Trailhead: Fourth of July TH Route: South Arapaho Traverse to North Arapaho Partners: Andrew and Jessica Start Time: 5:30am (from Fourth of July Mine) Finish Time: 12:30pm I knew that if I didn't get up to the mountains this past weekend, it would be two straight weekends without getting into the backcountry, and I would be having serious mountain withdrawl. So after my flight home from St Louis landed (I was there for three days for a friend's wedding) at around 5pm, I hurried back to Longmont and exchanged my luggage and dress clothes for my camping and climbing gear. I grabbed a quick bite for dinner headed for Eldora where two friends were waiting for me, camped at the Fourth of July Mines. I left my apartment around 6:45 and the drive felt like a race against the sunset (I was hoping to make it to camp before it got too dark because my partners had tied a bandana near the trail where their tent was located). Flying up the 4-mile dirt road to the trailhead, I arrived at 8pm, just after the sun dropped behind the mountains. There was still plenty of light left though, and I quickly headed up the trail. After about thirty minutes of hiking, I succumbed to the fact that it was getting too dark and I needed my headlamp the rest of the way even though I was getting close. To my great relief, fifteen minutes later the beam of my headlamp caught glimpse of the neon green bandana tied to two trekking poles just off the trail before the mine, I had located camp. After I had set up my tent, we sat under the clear night sky and enjoyed the impressive Perseid Meteor Shower for about an hour before retiring to our tents, ready for an early start the next morning. Hoping to be the first ones on the trail, we arose around 5am and hit the trail by 5:45. Headlamps were never really needed because the sun quickly lit up the eastern sky, shining upon Jasper and Neva Peaks as we worked our way up the slope to the glacier overlook in the saddle between South Arapaho and "Old Baldy." Jasper (L) and Neva (R). South Arapaho's pointed profile comes into view as we near the saddle. Sunlight reaches Jasper and Neva. Haze lingers in the foothills. Looking back at the Glacier Trail. This spot provides one of my favorite views among many in the Indian Peaks, especially in the early morning sun. We stopped here for some quick photos and to shed some layers before the short class II push for the summit. Our crew takes a quick rest just before the saddle. South Arapaho (L) and North Arapaho (R). Looking at the traverse to North Arapaho from the summit of South Arapaho. After about fifteen minutes spent on the summit eying the traverse, we started getting cold (it was still only 7:30am) and decided to push onward. Nearly the entire route stays to the left of the ridge or on the ridge itself. Do not venture on the right (east) side of the ridge or the people of Boulder will be very upset upset with you and put you in time out. Shortly after descending off the summit of South Arapaho, we dropped down from the ridge reach a section of ledges. Nothing terribly difficult here, but there is a little bit of exposure. Making my way across ledges early in the traverse. After the ledges, the route regains the ridge until you reach the crux of the route, a low class IV move directly over the large rock slab. Faded orange arrows will direct you, but the route is pretty straightforward. To be honest, I thought this section was a bit overrated. However, I am tall, and I could see how this section may be difficult for a shorter individual. The hand holds are pretty widely spaced, and the foot holds are worn from frequent use. Preparing to ascend the crux block. Climbing the crux block Immediately after the crux block is a short ridge section with pretty good exposure on both sides. The remaining route along the ridge to North Arapaho. Mini knife edge just after the crux block. Arapaho Glacier and the Boulder Watershed. NO TRESPASSING! The last section of the traverse is a class II gully that looks down on the east side of the traverse towards Arapaho Glacier. The gully wasn't too loose, but we took it one at a time just in case. After the gully the route flattens out significantly and all that remains is a short jaunt to the summit. We summitted about an hour after we left South Arapaho. Group summit shot on North Arapaho Standing on the man-made summit. Looking North toward the rest of the Indian Peaks and the Longs Peak massif in the distance Looking back at South Arapaho from North Arapaho. The return trip across the traverse was basically the same. However, at the crux block, I decided to try something fun and turn it into a "leap of faith" rather than a downclimb. Fun, but completely unnecessary. Kids, don't try this at home After resummitting South Arapaho, we quickly made our way down the trail to camp. We packed up our things, mine in a 40L pack, and Andrew's in an 85L pack (he must have thought he was on a five-day trek and not an overnighter) and hiked the remaining 2 miles back to the trailhead. I enjoyed the views of the waterfall across the valley which went unseen in the dark the day before. Waterfall across the valley on our way back to the trailhead. On our hike out we reflected on how glad we were to have made the short pack trip in the day before. It not only allowed us to get a head start on the traverse, but we were also able to take in the Perseid meteor shower from an excellent locale. The adventure came to an end back in Nederland where we enjoyed pizza and beer at Backcountry Pizza. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Arapaho Traverse

Trailhead: Fourth of July TH
Route: South Arapaho Traverse to North Arapaho
Partners: Andrew and Jessica
Start Time: 5:30am (from Fourth of July Mine)
Finish Time: 12:30pm

I knew that if I didn't get up to the mountains this past weekend, it would be two straight weekends without getting into the backcountry, and I would be having serious mountain withdrawl. So after my flight home from St Louis landed (I was there for three days for a friend's wedding) at around 5pm, I hurried back to Longmont and exchanged my luggage and dress clothes for my camping and climbing gear. I grabbed a quick bite for dinner headed for Eldora where two friends were waiting for me, camped at the Fourth of July Mines. I left my apartment around 6:45 and the drive felt like a race against the sunset (I was hoping to make it to camp before it got too dark because my partners had tied a bandana near the trail where their tent was located). Flying up the 4-mile dirt road to the trailhead, I arrived at 8pm, just after the sun dropped behind the mountains. There was still plenty of light left though, and I quickly headed up the trail. After about thirty minutes of hiking, I succumbed to the fact that it was getting too dark and I needed my headlamp the rest of the way even though I was getting close. To my great relief, fifteen minutes later the beam of my headlamp caught glimpse of the neon green bandana tied to two trekking poles just off the trail before the mine, I had located camp. After I had set up my tent, we sat under the clear night sky and enjoyed the impressive Perseid Meteor Shower for about an hour before retiring to our tents, ready for an early start the next morning.

Hoping to be the first ones on the trail, we arose around 5am and hit the trail by 5:45. Headlamps were never really needed because the sun quickly lit up the eastern sky, shining upon Jasper and Neva Peaks as we worked our way up the slope to the glacier overlook in the saddle between South Arapaho and "Old Baldy."

South Arapaho's pointed profile comes into view as we near the saddle.

Haze lingers in the foothills. Looking back at the Glacier Trail.

This spot provides one of my favorite views among many in the Indian Peaks, especially in the early morning sun. We stopped here for some quick photos and to shed some layers before the short class II push for the summit.

Our crew takes a quick rest just before the saddle.

South Arapaho (L) and North Arapaho (R).

Looking at the traverse to North Arapaho from the summit of South Arapaho.

After about fifteen minutes spent on the summit eying the traverse, we started getting cold (it was still only 7:30am) and decided to push onward. Nearly the entire route stays to the left of the ridge or on the ridge itself. Do not venture on the right (east) side of the ridge or the people of Boulder will be very upset upset with you and put you in time out.

Shortly after descending off the summit of South Arapaho, we dropped down from the ridge reach a section of ledges. Nothing terribly difficult here, but there is a little bit of exposure.

Making my way across ledges early in the traverse.

After the ledges, the route regains the ridge until you reach the crux of the route, a low class IV move directly over the large rock slab. Faded orange arrows will direct you, but the route is pretty straightforward. To be honest, I thought this section was a bit overrated. However, I am tall, and I could see how this section may be difficult for a shorter individual. The hand holds are pretty widely spaced, and the foot holds are worn from frequent use.

Immediately after the crux block is a short ridge section with pretty good exposure on both sides.

The remaining route along the ridge to North Arapaho.

Mini knife edge just after the crux block.

Arapaho Glacier and the Boulder Watershed. NO TRESPASSING!

The last section of the traverse is a class II gully that looks down on the east side of the traverse towards Arapaho Glacier. The gully wasn't too loose, but we took it one at a time just in case.

After the gully the route flattens out significantly and all that remains is a short jaunt to the summit. We summitted about an hour after we left South Arapaho.

Looking North toward the rest of the Indian Peaks and the Longs Peak massif in the distance

Looking back at South Arapaho from North Arapaho.

The return trip across the traverse was basically the same. However, at the crux block, I decided to try something fun and turn it into a "leap of faith" rather than a downclimb. Fun, but completely unnecessary.

After resummitting South Arapaho, we quickly made our way down the trail to camp. We packed up our things, mine in a 40L pack, and Andrew's in an 85L pack (he must have thought he was on a five-day trek and not an overnighter) and hiked the remaining 2 miles back to the trailhead. I enjoyed the views of the waterfall across the valley which went unseen in the dark the day before.

Waterfall across the valley on our way back to the trailhead.

On our hike out we reflected on how glad we were to have made the short pack trip in the day before. It not only allowed us to get a head start on the traverse, but we were also able to take in the Perseid meteor shower from an excellent locale.

The adventure came to an end back in Nederland where we enjoyed pizza and beer at Backcountry Pizza.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

I Man	Very cool! 8/15/2012 4:12pm Well done man. I sure would have liked to have joined you :)
d_baker	mountain withdrawals 8/16/2012 3:03am Summit Lounger and I did this route last Friday. Twas my last mountain tour before leaving the state for S Dakota...and it was a fun and worthy short day tour. I know & understand the withdrawals. Luckily I feed the addiction vicariously with reports like these. Thanks for giving me a fix.
JosephG	Fun route 8/16/2012 6:33pm The Arapaho traverse is an enjoyable jaunt. Thanks for the write-up!
tmathews	You're becoming a hipster! 8/16/2012 10:35pm Great report! :D
SolarAlex	awesome!!! 8/19/2012 2:01am i want to climb this route so badly, it looks amazing. thanks for the pictures and info! great job!!!

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