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"...
Party: Jason, Adam (avs88fan), Mike (Adam's coworker)
Start: 4:30 AM
Summit: 7:30 AM (Adam & Mike at 8:00 AM)
Depart Summit: 8:00 AM
Iron Nipple Summit: 9:00 AM
Elevation Gain: Approx 3850'
TH: 11:30AM
Due to dinner plans Saturday afternoon Adam & Mike graciously agreed to start the hike early to allow for the drive time back to Denver. We left Denver Friday evening at 5:30 and got slowed down on the north side of COS. Arrived at TH at 10:00 PM and bedded down around 10:30PM. Alarm clock went off (too soon) at 3:10 AM. Packed gear, ate some food - we were going to leave around 4AM but figured it would put us starting the North Face gulley in the dark so we waited until 4:30AM to start. Ultimately this probably didn't matter too much as we got slowed down at 2-3 spots due to "faint" trail issues. Fortunately 3 sets of eyes makes for better trail finding so we only lost around 15 minutes due to these issues. We also slowed the pace for the first 2 miles so overall we could have cut about 30 minutes off our times. As I was the first one up the North Face gulley it made life easier as I could kick as much rock down as I wanted. Once Adam & Mike summitted I headed back down to allow for us to be staggered going down the gulley. There were very few hikers on the trail today (only 4 total, which I encountered at the saddle after returning from the Iron Nipple). The rock on the Iron Nipple was far more solid than Lindsey and I also "summitted" the tallest rock tower for fun, which made for great scrambling. Weather was superb - starting early has its benefits!!
Cloud "blanket" south of Lindsey (approx 12,000 feet)
Summit view of Huerfano valley
Blanca & Ellingwood at dawn, shadowed by Lindsey and Iron Nipple
Closeup of North Face gulley
The Iron Nipple
Rock towers south of the Iron Nipple
Lindsey North Face taken from ascent to Iron Nipple
Point 13,828 (Centennial peak) taken from the Iron Nipple
Blanca - Little Bear traverse with Little Bear summit shrouded in clouds, taken from Iron Nipple
Iron Nipple (left) and Lindsey silhouetted into the 12,000' basin
View of lower portion of the route
View from meadow near the TH. Great day for climbing!!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
great pictures Jason, especially the dawn shot of Lindsey‘s shadow on Blanca. I was one of two guys who spoke to you on the saddle between Lindsey and the Nipple. I was the one who asked the dumbass question about the risk of falling in the gully. It wasn‘t nearly as daunting as it looked from afar. Weather was fabulous...great day to hike. Thanks for sharing your pics.
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.