Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
This is my first trip report so a few quick lines about me as I finally created my profile today. I'm an MBA Candidate at the University of Minnesota and am in Colorado for a summer internship. I can't wait to get out here full time next summer but I've been having a blast every weekend in the mountains so far this year. I've done Elbert and Quandary, skied Torrey's and Democrat, and got chased off of Keiner's on Long's by weather so far. If people are interested in those reports I'll post them though they're a few weeks old.
So, my friend and I got to the trailhead around 3:00pm on Saturday after driving out from Denver. We started the hike around 3:30 and with the ski gear, climbing, camping and some photography stuff, my pack was heavy but not unbearable. The first few miles are fairly mundane through the woods until we started getting some nice views, especially just after 4 miles when you get your first glimpse of Snowmass Mountain.
Headed up on the way in
As the trail continued on we encountered the series of beaver ponds which were very nice especially later on in the afternoon. The log jam crossing wasn't an issue for us and we pushed on. The hike starts to switchback and climb around the 7 mile mark and heads up to the lake. We got to the lake after 8 as the clouds were starting to light up for sunset. I really wanted to get some pictures but we also had to get camp setup and food going. I was able to get a few nice sunset pictures at the lake, we made dinner, filtered water and set up camp and crawled in our bags around 10. Sunset at the lake Snowmass peak, lake and creek at sunset
We woke up at about 12:30 and packed up for the hike. The plan was to climb under the supermoon and be on top for sunrise. Well, the hike around the lake was kind of slow going as all of those thick bushes kept grabbing at my skis. Then the climb up the scree/boulder field was a nightmare. We were just to left of the stream as the route would suggest but it was very challenging and treacherous. Thankfully there was nobody under us at this hour! Supermoon lights up snowmass peak and lake
We got to the snowfield at around 3:30 or 4, pretty tired and ready for some water and some food. It was pretty chilly at that point but it was cool being under such a bright moon. We put on our crampons and started pushing up the snowfield. This was my friend's first 14er so we were moving pretty slowly the higher we got. The sun came up as were at about 13,500 ft up on the snowfield. It was so cool to see it from such a high area as well as to be on the snow as it was basked in that alpenglow. Sunrise Hiking up the snowfield at sunrise
We stayed on the snowfield longer than the route suggests and gained the ridge just to the left (south) of the summit. This bit was quite steep but we made it up there and hung out on that flat spot for a bit. At this point, my friend decided he wasn't comfortable with the class 3 scrambling to the ridge so he glissaded back down a bit to a flatter spot in the snowfield to rest and wait for me.
I dropped my skis and climbed the ridge to the summit. On the way up I stayed high on the ridge was pretty exhilarating. Summit shot
On the way back I stayed below the ridge where there was a bit more of a trail. I got back to my skis, clipped them on and dropped into the snowfield. The first few turns were pretty steep but a lot of fun. Dropping in to ski
I skied to my buddy and helped him get the hang of glissading then we took off via our various methods of descent. The skiing was ok on the snowfield as the sun had definitely done it's work on the snow surface. I was able to make it down just to the left (skier's left) of the top of the scree field before having to dismount and take off my skis. End of the snow
We went back down the boulder field, not any more fun in the light than dark. By the time I got back to camp I had just about hit the wall. It was a little before noon and I was just smoked. I drank a ton of water, had some food and we both took a nap for about 45 min.
We then packed up our camp and started the slog back to the cars. Headed out
At this point, the pack with all that gear was brutally heavy!! The last 4 miles I was in head down, black out the pain, ironman mode. My feet, shoulders and back were killing me. We made it back to the car around 6 and made our way into Aspen for dinner before heading back to Denver.
The hike out was brutal but it was still a great trip! That was my first 14er in the Elk Range and it was definitely a beauty! It was my 5th 14er since coming out over Memorial Day and 3rd ski descent. I'm having a great time and am pretty fired up to be a member of this great community. I look forward to your feedback on this trip report and hopefully seeing out on the peaks!
-Steve
Update,
I made a video of the trip. Check it out and make sure you watch in HD!!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
We definitely had a great time up on that mountain! And I didn't mention in report how beautiful that lake is with so many big fish. Next time I'm going to hike up and just chill at the lake and fish for a while
Hey,
Nice to meet you in the parking lot, on the mountain, and back beside the lake. I do not envy you carrying that heavy pack up and down that trail.
Awesome pics, what kind of camera did you use to take them? I almost don't want to post my TR now after seeing all your gorgeous photos.
Thank you for posting the trip report. My partner and I were thinking of climbing Snowmass this weekend and were wondering how much snow was up there. Also, those pictures are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Dan, great meeting you, too! I use a Canon 5D Mark II for my nice shots and the others are pics or screenshots from my new GoPro Hero 3 Black which takes surprisingly really high quality pics and video!
Ameristrat, the sun cups were pretty big and even though the sun softened them up as the morning went on, they weren't a ton of fun. I tried to traverse over to steeper lines to avoid them when I could.
Nice Trip Under Special Conditions -- 2 lights 6/27/2013 4:46pm
Thanks for the report. At sunrise what was the snow condition on the snowfield? Did you need crampons and/or snowshoes? Postholing? I will make this ascent on 5 July. I want to plan ahead. Thanks. Vort.
The snow softened considerably as the day went on but still didn't worry too much about postholing. I think crampons were pretty important as the snow was pretty hard before and at sunrise. But if you start a little bit later you might be ok without. The way we gained the ridge was very steep so crampons and an axe were crucial. I can't speak to the standard way of gaining the ridge further to the left of the summit.
I used a 5D Mark II with a 24-105L and 17-40L. I think the above shots were with the latter. Except for the nighttime shot I usually have a polarizer on there. I wanted to use a grad ND filter for sunset but without a good tripod I couldn't handhold it and I didn't bring the filter holder. For sunrise and sunset, i bracketed the exposures and merged in Lightroom. The other shots were taken with my new GoPro Hero 3 Black. It takes shockingly good video and pics!! Since this is probably the last trip of the year carrying skis, will start bringing my nice tripod and more lens options.
Thanks for all of the kind feedback!
As if hiking 14ers wasn't hard enough, now you throw in skis and all that extra gear - phew! Looks like the downhill was worth it - well done and great pics to boot.
Love the sunset shot at Snowmass Lake ! I passed you on your hike in to the lake. I was coming down after summitting Saturday when you were hiking in. Thanks for sharing your photos.....impressive !
Wow, way to get your first Elk summit 7/2/2013 12:33pm
how did you line up that summit photo?
It looks like you are taking the shot off your ski pole with a time delay
I saved those sunset shots for this weeks screen saver, superb
enjoyed living vicariously through your trip report
those first few turns look hairy
how long did it take before your friend met up with you after his glissade?
I took the summit shots with my GoPro mounted on my ski pole. The camera came with a remote so I was using that. I'll also sometimes take screenshots from GoPro video that has decent quality.
My friend had a head start since he didn't go all the way to the summit. And I'd wait for him after skiing a bit so he could catch up. After a while though I pushed on ahead and ended up waiting maybe 10-15 minutes for him. Not too bad.
Some of the best shots I’ve seen for this peak! Nice eye. Did you cross the stream at the top of the scree field or stay left? I know it was a couple years ago but hopefully you remember.
If I remember correctly we stayed left of the stream. I think....
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.
