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"...
Okay, maybe it wasn't an easy day. In fact it was a bit strenuous. However, we had a few surprise gifts that helped make the hike doable:
a) The Sawatch received a fair amount of snow over the holidays and we weren't sure if we would be able to drive past the ranch. That would have added 7 miles to the hike. The road is holding a lot of snow, but fortunately someone had driven about 2.5 miles in. So with careful driving in the tracks, Greg was able to get us to a mile from the TH. The road further up was packed down by snowmobiles, so it was stable enough to hike with boots. So 2 extra miles instead of 7 is a nice gift.
b) Someone had trenched from the TH to the cabin. Having to trench up those nasty switchbacks and through the deep snow below the cabin would have used a lot of energy and time. With the trench, it was almost as easy as a summer ascent.
c) With the recent high winds, most of the snow in the basin has blown to Kansas. The small amount of snow remaining in the basin was very compacted and could be walked on without postholing (mostly).
d) Minimal amount of snow on the ridges and summits made it easy to ascend. A little more would have been nice for the descent, but I don't want to be greedy.
e) Decent weather. Temperatures were close to the freezing point, so no -10 suffering and no slushy snow in the afternoon. The windchill on the Bel-Ox ridge was a bit nippy (had to go from gloves to mittens).
f) The outhouse at the TH is open. And fully stocked with tp
On to the pics...
Would have been tough section to trench Belford ridge. Looks like a quick jog up to the summit but it is 2000 ft Greg contemplating the ridge ascent Looking down valley Ridge to Oxford Greg earning his moniker Harvard Belford from Oxford Ridge back to Belford Heading back to the Belford summit Lets go home
Trip stats:
Started around 6, back to truck at 5 - ~11 hrs
Miles - ~13
Elevation gain - ~6000
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Looks like you did use snowshoes for at least a little bit though?
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.
