Quandary Peak Trip Report 07/20/2015

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Quandary Peak - 14,272 feet
Date Posted	07/20/2015
Date Climbed	07/03/2015
Author	lukedog

Quandary - A "Routine" Summit?
TH: Monte Cristo Left TH: 6:10 am Summit: 11:00 am Returned TH: 1:45 pm While the mountain may not be one of the most "extraordinary" peaks around, our day on Quandary - and it WAS a full day! - reminded me that a day in the mountains is never routine. I left Boulder with my wife (Debbie) and daughters (Ria - 10, Ella - 9) at 3:30 am on July 3. The girls are champs and always up for an adventure, so they jumped out of bed, excitedly packed what wasn't packed the night before, ate breakfast in the car, and napped for the ride to Frisco. There we would meet my almost constant 14er partner, Andy, who would help guide our group to the top. Since we knew everyone might not make the summit, Andy was generous enough to come along, knowing he might end up taking people down rather than summiting himself. The drive was a bit rainy, raising some doubts about our chances to climb safely with the girls, but the forecast was solid so we trusted it would clear eventually. We met Andy in Frisco at about 5:15 and traveled in two cars to the Monte Cristo trailhead. We arrived there at 6 and were on our way by 6:10, after a few pictures. There were some clouds and sprinkles but the weather was heading in the right direction for a safe climbing day. We started slowly but progressed steadily into the trees. We broke out the Honey Stingers and Chewy Sprees sooner than I'd hoped, but those old stand-bys did their jobs and got everyone's spirits and energy headed in the right direction. Ria was doing great early on. Ella was having a tough time getting into the climb and you could sense some self-doubt about whether she could make the summit or not. Debbie was struggling with a cold that had been hanging on for several weeks, not to mention a late-night arrival from a business trip (to sea level, no less) during the week, which had obviously set her back significantly. As we hit treeline, the sun was shining brightly, the sprinkles of the morning were long gone, and we ran into one of several groups of goats that we'd see throughout the day. We were all energized by the animals, who were obviously accustomed to the hikers and very comfortable coming right up to us. We set off towards the next phase of our climb with renewed energy and enthusiasm. After nearly throwing in the towel several times within the first 20 minutes, Ella was visibly gaining confidence with each step now - even asking if we could film a video for this year's dance off. I gave her my support to continue or to head back, but once free to make her own choice, she decided to continue. While Ella was getting stronger, Ria struggled with some stomach discomfort and Debbie continued to cough and fight obvious respiratory difficulty. Ria and Ella climbed Mt. Bierstadt successfully last year, and Debbie has reached a number of peaks - but reaching the summit didn't seem a guarantee for anyone on this day. Still, the weather was great and we continued on together. Andy was keeping an eye on everyone, assessing everyone's condition, etc. Once we reached the steepening final ridge, it was clear we had some decisions to make. We weren't totally surprised as we planned our group to be able to split into two, but it was still difficult when we decided that Andy would take Debbie and Ella down, while Ria and I would continue on towards the summit. Debbie just couldn't get her breathing right. Ella, while she seemed physically great, had again begun to doubt herself. We were all disappointed to split up, but Ria was feeling better and I was hopeful to reach another summit with her. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways, at least for now. We knew Ella and Debbie would be in good hands with Andy looking out for them. And I'd need to keep Ria in good hands as we continued to climb. After about 45 more minutes of climbing - and Ria obviously recovering from her stomach issues and picking up steam the entire way - we reached a steep, snowy section just below the summit. For Ria, this was especially exciting, and we worked our way through the soft, but slick, snow to the final summit ridge. It hadn't been quick and it hadn't always been pretty, but we had made the summit together! We basked in the endorphins, the feeling of accomplishment, the smiles of the others at the top, and especially the opportunity to share this time together. There would never be another moment quite like this one. We also thought of the others who started with us and hoped they had made it safely back to the trailhead. We took a photo for Ella: And we also shared in our summit communion together - a summit Oreo: Ria and I got to share the camaraderie of the others who were enjoying the mild, sunny weather at the top and engage in traditions like a "Which Wich" photo, taking and posing for photos, and our own selfie just as we left the summit. Ria kept saying "I feel so alive!!!" and I couldn't stop smiling. Ria and I made our way down much more quickly than we had climbed, much of it holding hands. We laughed and enjoyed the weather and the goats even more on the way down and found Debbie and Ella in good spirits and waiting to spend the rest of the weekend together. Andy had made his way back home to train for the Triple Bypass the next weekend. I find that I learn something - usually more than a few things - on every climb, no matter how "routine". On this day, I learned even more about Ria's spirit and determination and saw expressions of her joy that I'll never forget. I learned that a lot of people on the mountain doesn't have to be a bad thing. I couldn't have been more proud of Ella's effort, even if she had made the top. She recovered from what seemed to be insurmountable doubt at the beginning to make it to around 13,800 many hours later. She was reportedly in great spirits and talked the whole way down! Debbie fought against her cold and an unfortunate travel schedule for the week to get more time in the mountains and some important training for our big trip to Chicago Basin the following week. And Andy was so selfless in driving from Denver knowing he might end up bringing people down instead of ending up on the top. Without him there, I wouldn't have been able to see Ria make the summit. Ria wants to hit a few more peaks this summer and I can't wait to spend more time in the mountains this summer with the people I love. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Quandary - A "Routine" Summit?

TH: Monte Cristo
Left TH: 6:10 am
Summit: 11:00 am
Returned TH: 1:45 pm

While the mountain may not be one of the most "extraordinary" peaks around, our day on Quandary - and it WAS a full day! - reminded me that a day in the mountains is never routine.

I left Boulder with my wife (Debbie) and daughters (Ria - 10, Ella - 9) at 3:30 am on July 3. The girls are champs and always up for an adventure, so they jumped out of bed, excitedly packed what wasn't packed the night before, ate breakfast in the car, and napped for the ride to Frisco. There we would meet my almost constant 14er partner, Andy, who would help guide our group to the top. Since we knew everyone might not make the summit, Andy was generous enough to come along, knowing he might end up taking people down rather than summiting himself.

The drive was a bit rainy, raising some doubts about our chances to climb safely with the girls, but the forecast was solid so we trusted it would clear eventually. We met Andy in Frisco at about 5:15 and traveled in two cars to the Monte Cristo trailhead. We arrived there at 6 and were on our way by 6:10, after a few pictures. There were some clouds and sprinkles but the weather was heading in the right direction for a safe climbing day.

We started slowly but progressed steadily into the trees. We broke out the Honey Stingers and Chewy Sprees sooner than I'd hoped, but those old stand-bys did their jobs and got everyone's spirits and energy headed in the right direction. Ria was doing great early on. Ella was having a tough time getting into the climb and you could sense some self-doubt about whether she could make the summit or not. Debbie was struggling with a cold that had been hanging on for several weeks, not to mention a late-night arrival from a business trip (to sea level, no less) during the week, which had obviously set her back significantly.

As we hit treeline, the sun was shining brightly, the sprinkles of the morning were long gone, and we ran into one of several groups of goats that we'd see throughout the day. We were all energized by the animals, who were obviously accustomed to the hikers and very comfortable coming right up to us. We set off towards the next phase of our climb with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

After nearly throwing in the towel several times within the first 20 minutes, Ella was visibly gaining confidence with each step now - even asking if we could film a video for this year's dance off. I gave her my support to continue or to head back, but once free to make her own choice, she decided to continue. While Ella was getting stronger, Ria struggled with some stomach discomfort and Debbie continued to cough and fight obvious respiratory difficulty. Ria and Ella climbed Mt. Bierstadt successfully last year, and Debbie has reached a number of peaks - but reaching the summit didn't seem a guarantee for anyone on this day. Still, the weather was great and we continued on together.

Andy was keeping an eye on everyone, assessing everyone's condition, etc. Once we reached the steepening final ridge, it was clear we had some decisions to make. We weren't totally surprised as we planned our group to be able to split into two, but it was still difficult when we decided that Andy would take Debbie and Ella down, while Ria and I would continue on towards the summit. Debbie just couldn't get her breathing right. Ella, while she seemed physically great, had again begun to doubt herself. We were all disappointed to split up, but Ria was feeling better and I was hopeful to reach another summit with her. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways, at least for now. We knew Ella and Debbie would be in good hands with Andy looking out for them. And I'd need to keep Ria in good hands as we continued to climb.

After about 45 more minutes of climbing - and Ria obviously recovering from her stomach issues and picking up steam the entire way - we reached a steep, snowy section just below the summit. For Ria, this was especially exciting, and we worked our way through the soft, but slick, snow to the final summit ridge.

It hadn't been quick and it hadn't always been pretty, but we had made the summit together! We basked in the endorphins, the feeling of accomplishment, the smiles of the others at the top, and especially the opportunity to share this time together. There would never be another moment quite like this one.

We also thought of the others who started with us and hoped they had made it safely back to the trailhead. We took a photo for Ella:

And we also shared in our summit communion together - a summit Oreo:

Ria and I got to share the camaraderie of the others who were enjoying the mild, sunny weather at the top and engage in traditions like a "Which Wich" photo, taking and posing for photos, and our own selfie just as we left the summit. Ria kept saying "I feel so alive!!!" and I couldn't stop smiling.

Ria and I made our way down much more quickly than we had climbed, much of it holding hands. We laughed and enjoyed the weather and the goats even more on the way down and found Debbie and Ella in good spirits and waiting to spend the rest of the weekend together. Andy had made his way back home to train for the Triple Bypass the next weekend.

I find that I learn something - usually more than a few things - on every climb, no matter how "routine". On this day, I learned even more about Ria's spirit and determination and saw expressions of her joy that I'll never forget. I learned that a lot of people on the mountain doesn't have to be a bad thing. I couldn't have been more proud of Ella's effort, even if she had made the top. She recovered from what seemed to be insurmountable doubt at the beginning to make it to around 13,800 many hours later. She was reportedly in great spirits and talked the whole way down! Debbie fought against her cold and an unfortunate travel schedule for the week to get more time in the mountains and some important training for our big trip to Chicago Basin the following week. And Andy was so selfless in driving from Denver knowing he might end up bringing people down instead of ending up on the top. Without him there, I wouldn't have been able to see Ria make the summit.

Ria wants to hit a few more peaks this summer and I can't wait to spend more time in the mountains this summer with the people I love.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Jay521	A good looking family 7/20/2015 9:18am And what looks like a fun hike! Congrats to Ria!
jenkscolin	Great report 7/20/2015 3:36pm I enjoyed reading this!

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