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"...
After sleeping soundly in the evening and all night we got up at 3:50 and started out to claim the classic route on Ellingwood Point‘s SW ridge.
Heres a look at the ridge from Little Bear.
notice the brevity of the ridge
As the sun started to rise we reached the talus above the tiny lake at 12540ft, Ellingwood and Blanca beaming with color!
A perfect clear calm day.
We chose a scramble at the low point along the ridge heres how it looks from that ascent towards the SW ridge.
This route is amazing the exposure on both the north and south side is considerable but the rock is delightfully solid and the handholds are plentiful and strong.
The shadow of the Sangres with the full moon beautiful at sunrise.
Further up we got a nice view of the moon reflected in pioneer lake.
The Class 3 scrambling is consistant and daunting but step by step this ridge is eaiser than it looks at first, this rock is a prime example of the strong solid rock.
Tom climbing up this unbelieveable route, the walls are high but if you can conquer fear an astounding experince awaits you on this ridge.
After a little while the sun came into the valley and the effect of darkness and light on either side of the ridge was stark and contrasted nicely.
Its was so gratifiying to see Little Bear bathed in sunlight, summiting that peak first made us feel empowered and spured on the delightful scramble towards Ellingwood point.
The ridge looks mean and scary but if you stay on the crest it never exceeds low class 4 moves.
Feeling good in the morning atop a knife edge that makes glory atainable!
The obstacles that seemed terrible and deadly from afar lessened as we closed in on them. Exposure on the route was exciting.
The fluid sustained scrambling was beautiful, this ridge was the best I‘ve ever climbed.
Tom exalted, this pic gives a real sense of the contrast in the morning light.
Shadow and Sun snow and rock the amazing scramble kept us on the edge of excitement and fearful awe.
Little Bear, so happy we did it first!
Blanca looked daunting from this angle.
Excited ridge conquering mountaineers!
As we decended to the Blanca saddle the experince of the ridge left us feeling elated and confident. This truly was a "classic" climb I would love to go back there. A few yoddles echoed back across both valleys an acoustic artistry only such a narrow ridge could provide. I recommend this to anyone who wants to have a long scramble with considerable exposure but solid fine rock to work with.
we continued on to Blanca going for the Como 3!...
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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.
