Mt. Elbert Trip Report 10/26/2008

Peak(s):	Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
Date Posted:	10/26/2008
Modified:	03/27/2016
Date Climbed:	10/25/2008
Author:	huricnz

Hurricane Elbert
This is my first trip report and one I just had to share. We started out by taking the Jeep Road to the TH for the East Ridge Route. The road was a little choppy with a few huge rocks, but nothing the Jeep couldn't handle. We finally arrived at the TH at 9am. The drive to this TH allowed us to take a significant amount of distance off of climb fortunately. The first part of the hike through the Aspen groves and the meadows was very nice. Just the right temperature for us. As we ascended through the trees to the tree line, we could feel the wind starting to pick up but did not think too much of it. Boy, we could not have been more wrong. At about 12,500 or so, the wind really started to howl. We ran into another couple who said the wind was really kicking at the top and estimated the speeds in the 60mph+ range. They estimated we had another 2 hours to the summit. The farther we climbed, the worse the wind became. Between 13,500 and 13,900, there were numerous (10+) times where the wind gusts were so strong that we were either blown a few feet off trail or were forced to literally sit on the trail to avoid being blown to the ground. Adding to the fun, at around 13,900 or so, we lost the trail due and decided to proceed to the summit via the most direct route. Advantage=Shorter distance, Disadvantage=less secure footing so the wind just wreaked havoc. Once we finally reached the summit, we were stunned by the views. I have summitted 11 14ers and without a doubt, the views from Elbert are the most spectacular I have ever seen. We were overwhelmed by the beauty. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided our stay would be short and very miserable. The sustained wind speed was around 55+mph with gusts well over 85mph. Both of us are from the East Coast and have experienced hurricanes, and we agreed that these gusts would definitely have been Category 1 hurricane speed. So after our 5 min of bliss at the top, we hurriedly descended the summit to what we thought was safer ground. Unfortunately, the wind continued to play with us until we reached the tree line. Overall, the hike took us almost exactly 8 hours. The views made the hike worth it. But we earned every iota of the views on this hike. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Hurricane Elbert

This is my first trip report and one I just had to share. We started out by taking the Jeep Road to the TH for the East Ridge Route. The road was a little choppy with a few huge rocks, but nothing the Jeep couldn't handle. We finally arrived at the TH at 9am. The drive to this TH allowed us to take a significant amount of distance off of climb fortunately.

The first part of the hike through the Aspen groves and the meadows was very nice. Just the right temperature for us. As we ascended through the trees to the tree line, we could feel the wind starting to pick up but did not think too much of it. Boy, we could not have been more wrong.

At about 12,500 or so, the wind really started to howl. We ran into another couple who said the wind was really kicking at the top and estimated the speeds in the 60mph+ range. They estimated we had another 2 hours to the summit.

The farther we climbed, the worse the wind became. Between 13,500 and 13,900, there were numerous (10+) times where the wind gusts were so strong that we were either blown a few feet off trail or were forced to literally sit on the trail to avoid being blown to the ground.

Adding to the fun, at around 13,900 or so, we lost the trail due and decided to proceed to the summit via the most direct route. Advantage=Shorter distance, Disadvantage=less secure footing so the wind just wreaked havoc.

Once we finally reached the summit, we were stunned by the views. I have summitted 11 14ers and without a doubt, the views from Elbert are the most spectacular I have ever seen. We were overwhelmed by the beauty. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided our stay would be short and very miserable. The sustained wind speed was around 55+mph with gusts well over 85mph. Both of us are from the East Coast and have experienced hurricanes, and we agreed that these gusts would definitely have been Category 1 hurricane speed.

So after our 5 min of bliss at the top, we hurriedly descended the summit to what we thought was safer ground. Unfortunately, the wind continued to play with us until we reached the tree line.

Overall, the hike took us almost exactly 8 hours. The views made the hike worth it. But we earned every iota of the views on this hike.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Connor

Hurricane?
10/27/2008 4:09am

Saw you folks up there this weekend (remember the bright orange hat), I still cant believe how intence the wind was up there! Funny the NOAA forcasted a pleasent 47 degree sunny day, nothing about wind! Aside from the wind, it was definatly the best 14er view i‘ve ever had, and an overall pleasnt day.

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