Quandary Peak Trip Report 08/11/2013

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Quandary Peak - 14,272 feet
Date Posted	08/11/2013
Date Climbed	08/09/2013
Author	James Scott

North Carolina to Quandary
This is just another trip report on a Quandary ascent. There are countless other trip reports on climbs of Quandary, but this day my cousin Colin, in from North Carolina for a family reunion, summited his first 14er. We were staying in Keystone, and we considered doing Grays from Chihuahua Gulch, but the weather forecasts pushed us toward Quandary. Up at 530, we were on the trailhead at 635. I've done Quandary before, and probably wouldn't have considered doing it again on my own, but as we popped into a meadow and saw the sun coming up over the east, I was reminded that even though a mountain like Quandary gets looked down upon because of its crowds and relatively easy day, it's really beautiful there. Maybe part of this was climbing with Colin, who hikes a lot in North Carolina, but had never experienced this before, and I was able to see things with fresh eyes as he was seeing them and getting excited. The views are fantastic, especially Grays and Torreys across the valley. Those peaks seemed to be swimming in thick clouds, and although we had some cloud cover, we were glad to be on Quandary and not out there. sunrise peaking over the horizon along the trail reaching timberline Grays and Torreys under dark skies Colin had been in Colorado for a couple days, but as we ascended, he was definitely feeling the effects of the thin air. Still, he didn't take many stops, and we were above timberline nearing the final summit push before long. Quandary offers some nice relief of even terrain before that final summit push, so your legs and your mind can prepare. At one point I mentioned the possibility of not reaching the summit, and Colin strongly responded, "I will be reaching the summit- there's no question of that." The final several hundred feet were more talus and a bit of snow which were new to him, and the air continued to thin, but true to his word, he powered on up the mountain. We were seeing people coming down now, and people always seem to have a word of encouragement for those on the way up. nearing the final summit push reaching the summit We reached the top at 9:00, and everyone was excited about four mountain goats just hanging out on the other side of the summit. We went across, and they looked like four climbers who had just arrived, lazing on the top. Colin and I spent 20 minutes eating and taking pictures. The clouds broke, and the wind died down, giving us a really warm, comfortable time. We would like to have stayed longer, but with our family reunion going on in Keystone without us, we took off about 9:20. Success!!! a long way from North Carolina On the way down, Colin talked about how impressed he was with the number of people on the summit and how quiet and considerate everyone was. It sounds as if people behave quite a bit differently in his part of the woods. He talked about people treating the summits a bit more like parties, and getting pretty loud and obnoxious. Colin was also impressed with how nice the climbers in Colorado are- always saying hello and encouraging each other. He asked if this was part of some unwritten rule, but I think people just seem to be nicer to each other when they get on a mountain. Without exaggeration, we had to have seen at least 100 people trailhead to trailhead, and there were license plates from at least a dozen states in the parking lot. Still, Colin mentioned, everyone has a smile and a nice word to say. I'm proud of my 14er community. This was Colin's first 14er, but he definitely appeared to get the bug, and as we reached the parking lot, we were already talking about when he could get back out to Colorado for more. I sure hope it isn't long. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

North Carolina to Quandary

This is just another trip report on a Quandary ascent. There are countless other trip reports on climbs of Quandary, but this day my cousin Colin, in from North Carolina for a family reunion, summited his first 14er.

We were staying in Keystone, and we considered doing Grays from Chihuahua Gulch, but the weather forecasts pushed us toward Quandary. Up at 530, we were on the trailhead at 635. I've done Quandary before, and probably wouldn't have considered doing it again on my own, but as we popped into a meadow and saw the sun coming up over the east, I was reminded that even though a mountain like Quandary gets looked down upon because of its crowds and relatively easy day, it's really beautiful there. Maybe part of this was climbing with Colin, who hikes a lot in North Carolina, but had never experienced this before, and I was able to see things with fresh eyes as he was seeing them and getting excited. The views are fantastic, especially Grays and Torreys across the valley. Those peaks seemed to be swimming in thick clouds, and although we had some cloud cover, we were glad to be on Quandary and not out there.

Colin had been in Colorado for a couple days, but as we ascended, he was definitely feeling the effects of the thin air. Still, he didn't take many stops, and we were above timberline nearing the final summit push before long. Quandary offers some nice relief of even terrain before that final summit push, so your legs and your mind can prepare. At one point I mentioned the possibility of not reaching the summit, and Colin strongly responded, "I will be reaching the summit- there's no question of that." The final several hundred feet were more talus and a bit of snow which were new to him, and the air continued to thin, but true to his word, he powered on up the mountain. We were seeing people coming down now, and people always seem to have a word of encouragement for those on the way up.

We reached the top at 9:00, and everyone was excited about four mountain goats just hanging out on the other side of the summit. We went across, and they looked like four climbers who had just arrived, lazing on the top. Colin and I spent 20 minutes eating and taking pictures. The clouds broke, and the wind died down, giving us a really warm, comfortable time. We would like to have stayed longer, but with our family reunion going on in Keystone without us, we took off about 9:20.

On the way down, Colin talked about how impressed he was with the number of people on the summit and how quiet and considerate everyone was. It sounds as if people behave quite a bit differently in his part of the woods. He talked about people treating the summits a bit more like parties, and getting pretty loud and obnoxious. Colin was also impressed with how nice the climbers in Colorado are- always saying hello and encouraging each other. He asked if this was part of some unwritten rule, but I think people just seem to be nicer to each other when they get on a mountain. Without exaggeration, we had to have seen at least 100 people trailhead to trailhead, and there were license plates from at least a dozen states in the parking lot. Still, Colin mentioned, everyone has a smile and a nice word to say. I'm proud of my 14er community.

This was Colin's first 14er, but he definitely appeared to get the bug, and as we reached the parking lot, we were already talking about when he could get back out to Colorado for more. I sure hope it isn't long.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

MtnHub	Congratulations to Colin! 8/12/2013 2:53am Yeah, I think some of the ”easier” more crowded peaks get a bum rap sometimes. It's always nice to be able to do one with a family member; makes the whole experience new and different. And although I will gauge which 14er I want to do vs the time I have available, there's really no peak I would not repeat given the opportunity. Good job, Colin!! :D I'm still hoping one of my nieces or nephews will be able to join me for one before I get too old to do them anymore! Climb on! :D
vorticity	Great Job! 8/24/2013 2:16pm Congratulations on a good, solid climb. Vort.

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