I wanted to start climbing fourteeners this winter, and I had ambitious plans to have several done before calendar winter ended. After being denied a couple times on Sherman and Quandary, I set out from The Springs on March 8 determined to "lay siege" to Quandary and finally complete my first fourteener.
I arrived at the trailhead around 5:30pm, and slogged up the first mile with a heavy pack and my mutt Marley. Conditions were optimal with clear skies and near 50 degree temps. I arrived at the remains of an old igloo around 11,600' and set up my tent inside. (This proved fortuitous as the winds raged throughout the night).
Hoosier Ridge sunset
Campsite
The night passed without event, although I was a little chilly in my mummy bag. I got up and made some breakfast around 8:00am - and the Grey Jays were out in full force trying to get some scraps.
Marley and I set off around 8:45am, and as far as I could tell, we were alone on the mountain. I'll spare everyone the mundane details of the East Ridge route, except to say that postholing was minimal, it was a perfect bluebird day, and we made the summit sometime before noon (I forgot my watch). We passed several snowboarders on the way back down, but snow conditions were pretty thin at that point. Made it down to camp in good health/spirits and concluded a thoroughly enjoyable trip.
Obligatory ice axe/i'm#1/first fourteener summit shot
