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Well it was time to get back down to the Sangre range for a couple more peaks. We made the 5 hour plus drive and finally arrived at the little town of Westcliffe hoping for a great pre-hike meal. Unfortunately everything was either closed or out of business due to COVID. Even the gas station doesn't let you inside. We managed a dinner of hamburger and fries at the bowling alley and then got back on the road to the trailhead. It takes at least an hour to get to the trailhead after you turn off the road past Gardner. Nice scenery on the way up. Some campers next to the creek lower down where it wasn't private.
The 2 miles of 4 wheel drive road was rough but not too bad. There are a lot of nice campsites and plenty of camping at the trailhead, especially car camping. A site just down from the trailhead got Craig's approval for flatness for the tent and we settled in.
The creek wasn't close to the road in this area, so we just went to bed.
We got going at 445 am. It is a steep hike. Such a beautiful valley. We got to it in time for sunrise.
out of the trees by 6 am
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Blanca and everything else in the clouds the whole time
It was around 720 that we got to the ridge. Classic pics.
The gully option did not look fun
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It was really windy up top. My hands don't do well in cold plus wind even with gloves. Sucks to have Raynauld's phenomenon. Now was not a good time for my hands to be numb.
But I was able to warm them up enough to get feeling back for the ridge which was great fun. It is stable rock and has so many hand holds that it is enjoyable rock to climb on. It reminded me of Crestone Needle. The are multiple ways to scramble, whatever you are comfortable with.
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The wall was not difficult although one move at the top was tougher. I went up the middle. Finding good hand and toe holds before the next step is key. Coming down is harder.
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We picked our way up the rest of the ridge. There was a little bit of fog at the top which also reminded me of the Needle and Blanca.
Uneventful
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We summited at 840, got a couple pics and headed down to where it might be warmer.
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Is Blanca always in fog?
It is a little harder to follow your route on the way back down. Cairns and easier terrain will suck you down into the gully I think. We climbed back up on the ridge because I really wanted to go back down the wall. We pretty much stayed on top the ridge. It was safe. Cool rainbow on the way back.
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The top of the wall is a little daunting to go back down. One hold at a time.
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This is the most difficult step. You can go around to the right instead.
After down that area, I went around to the left instead of going down the middle again. It was a fun alternative and would have been a good way up too. No route difficulties from there.
Back down to the valley and back to break camp...after a little bit of fishing!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Great job. I did Lindsey last summer and was frankly surprised to find it a bit more challenging than I'd expected (even after doing Little Bear, Crestone Needle, and other tougher peaks).
If anyone is interested, one way to approach it would be to camp in the lovely, grassy basin above where you come out of the trees and cross the creek.
I bought some heated lined gloves for skinning this year and put those on at the top. I look forward to trying it more. Worked great for the first time.
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