Mt. Democrat Trip Report 05/15/2018

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Mt. Democrat - 14,154 feet
Date Posted	05/15/2018
Date Climbed	05/14/2018
Author	Tim Edinger

Mount Democrat - East Ridge
Solo skin/ski tour of Mount Democrat from Kite Lake. Start time: 0830; Summit: 1215; Return to car: 1345. Route: East ridge (a.k.a Dawson's Route 3.1.12. Fair weather conditions. Snow was in excellent shape. I had to park at the barricades at 11,300 approximately 1.6 miles from the Kite lake trailhead. After a short hike in trail runners (.5 miles) I transitioned to skis and started skinning to the Kite Lake TH vis the snow covered road. Excellent snow coverage up to the Democrat-Cameron saddle. At the saddle I decided to hike the talus along the east ridge for the final 853 feet to the summit, as the snow was marginal and a ski descent was not worth it for me. After I returned from the summit, I transitioned to skis again for a 3.5 mile descent back to the car. The creek coming off of Kite Lake represents a hazard and needs to be reconned before crossing. Also, once the snow on the road peters out, cross to the creek drainage to the south and you can ski almost down to the barricades. The willows and creek represent challenges but there are routs to be had for a couple more weeks I believe. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mount Democrat - East Ridge

Solo skin/ski tour of Mount Democrat from Kite Lake. Start time: 0830; Summit: 1215; Return to car: 1345. Route: East ridge (a.k.a Dawson's Route 3.1.12. Fair weather conditions. Snow was in excellent shape. I had to park at the barricades at 11,300 approximately 1.6 miles from the Kite lake trailhead. After a short hike in trail runners (.5 miles) I transitioned to skis and started skinning to the Kite Lake TH vis the snow covered road. Excellent snow coverage up to the Democrat-Cameron saddle. At the saddle I decided to hike the talus along the east ridge for the final 853 feet to the summit, as the snow was marginal and a ski descent was not worth it for me. After I returned from the summit, I transitioned to skis again for a 3.5 mile descent back to the car. The creek coming off of Kite Lake represents a hazard and needs to be reconned before crossing. Also, once the snow on the road peters out, cross to the creek drainage to the south and you can ski almost down to the barricades. The willows and creek represent challenges but there are routs to be had for a couple more weeks I believe.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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