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My manager asked me a few weeks ago to take him up to climb a 14er since he had never done anything like it before. I agreed and tried to find an easier one that I had not yet done. After researching I thought Huron would be a straight forward climb. I was a little concerned that there were only 5 trip reports for the month of May on here and was wondering why. The light bulb went on on the way down when I was looking at the south facing slopes across the canyon and there was little snow while we were plowing through waist deep soft slushy snow on the north facing slopes. I then knew that maybe I could have picked a better peak to take the boss up on for the first time.
Anyway the day started out at 4:30 am leaving the park and ride off I70 after taking a wrong turn in Leadville(never trust Mapquest) we got back on the main St and was heading south when I look in my rearview mirror and see the doughnut eaters flashing lights. I pull over and the officer tells me I was 20MPH over the speed limit and I could be taken to jail per Colorado law. I asked for a warning but knew that with no Crispy creams to bribe him with I was not getting off easy. He came back and did me such a huge favor and said "I am not going to take you to jail but I have lowered this to a 4 point violation if you mail it in right away". We were off to Winfield the road is great up to that point but soon gets covered with drifts after the ghost town. Here I am at the old postoffice I think it is.
Here is where we parked about 200 yards past Winfield.
This is what the road past Winfield looks like to the trailhead it wont be long before the snow on the road is melted but it would be very hard to make it now as soft as the snow and ground are.
After about a mile in a half hike we made it to the trailhead
This next photo is a classic! It is very unusual not to see my manager in a suit so it was nice to see the boss man roughing it up a little.
The snow in the trees was awful a post holing nightmare and the snowshoes actually made it worse.
We decided to take them off and just do without them since we were sinking either way waistdeep and they were getting stuck under rocks and trees roots. I would have to say this was the hardest climb up to tree line I have encountered however above tree line it was probably the easiest one I've done so it balanced itself out. Jeff who is in great shape and runs several miles a day said it was the hardest thing he has ever done. He ran out of gas about 12,600 feet and told me to continue on I initially said no but after thinking of that slush and possibly having to repeat it I said ok. It was an unselfish gesture on his part and he waited at 12,000ft. I made good time to the summit and back in less than 2 hours thanks to a 1500 ft glissade which I actually enjoyed more than the Angel of Shavano the week before.
Here are some photos
I knew I should have bought that tripod at the REI sale last week. It was very windy up top so I was unable to take a self photo but I did manage to get the sign my wife made.
This is looking down the glissade route.
Looking up the glissade route.
Other than the deep slush in the trees it was enjoyable day and I look forward to the next one. Jeff will summit next time 1st one is always the hardest.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Better Bring Some Doughnuts to Work 5/11/2009 12:59pm
You‘ll have to take your boss on a better climb! Maybe wait till June or July. I can see how you had to summit as that handwriting on the sign was just too good to waste.
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