San Luis Peak Trip Report 06/06/2010

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	San Luis Peak - 14,023 feet
Date Posted	06/06/2010
Date Climbed	06/05/2010
Author	Perea

Climbing For The Free Which Wich!
Climbers: Paul Perea, DJ, Dave (What's Your Handle)? Distance 13 Miles Elevation Gain 3600 feet Glissade Approximately 700 ft Time to summit: 3 hours 45 minutes I normally would not of taken the time to write a trip report on San Luis Peak but since it was my younger cousins first 14er I thought I would document it. He asked me earlier in the week for sleeping bag advice and I asked him what do you plan on doing back packing, car camping or climbing? His response was I don't know "I just want to reconnect with nature" so I invited him on San Luis Peak which is one of the easier 14ers in the state but by no means a gimmy for someone who spends most of their time playing the drums. So it was a plan! We left Friday about 2:30 p.m from Denver and drove 5 hours to the trailhead which included 30 miles of dirt road to get there. The Dirt road was not bad I was going about 40 MPH through most of it. If you drive faster you don't feel the bumps as much . We arrived at the trailhead and were surprised there was no one else there to climb the least climbed 14er in the state. After sitting around the campfire we went to sleep about 10 P.M. and got a 4 A.M start. Dave who had arrived at about 9 P.M joined us on the way up and was great company through out the day. A nice sunset. "Reconnecting with Nature" More Reconnecting with nature all we were missing was the mushroom tea. The 4 mile trail to get to tree line was smooth except for one little mishap. My cousin slipped in the water on a small creek crossing and got his shoes and socks wet. Luckily I had an extra pair in my pack for him. DJ was 1 for 2 on this creek crossing falling in earlier in the day There were a couple small snow fields we crossed that could of been avoided if we really wanted to but we chose to cross them and postholed a couple times. The rookie working hard. Dave is only 3 feet tall. The remaining route once you reach the saddle Looking south from the saddle. I had to put on pants on the summit. No other place I would rather be. At this point I saw DJ tiring and told him VIA the 2 way radio suck it up or lose the hair and earings drummer boy! His pace picked up like magic and soon we made the summit. The weather was perfect and we hung out on the summit for over an hour. Carl and Mark who were going to ski (Neighbors) got there shorty after and were dissapointed to see that there was not continous snow from the summit. There was a dry section about 30 ft from the summit to the nearest snow. These guys would not be denied when all else fails shovel. They started shoveling snow from the summit to the dry spot in order to connect the snowline enough to get to the next snowfield and make a valid ski decent. It was great entertainment at 14,000 ft. Dave has the pictures and I'll add to this report when I get them. Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn in the distance Finally our Which Wich pose! I want my free Which Wich! Make that 2 for plugging your business. Coming down we took our time watched the skiers and enjoyed the views. Carl and Mark making a desperate ski decent of San Luis I thought this was cool the water running over the snow. Spring runoff in full force LMAO he wanted to reconnect with nature! It was another fun weekend in the Rockies. Don't be surprised if you see my cousin DJ ditching the drums getting clean cut and standing on more summits! Good job Primo! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Climbing For The Free Which Wich!

Climbers: Paul Perea, DJ, Dave (What's Your Handle)?
Distance 13 Miles
Elevation Gain 3600 feet
Glissade Approximately 700 ft
Time to summit: 3 hours 45 minutes

I normally would not of taken the time to write a trip report on San Luis Peak but since it was my younger cousins first 14er I thought I would document it. He asked me earlier in the week for sleeping bag advice and I asked him what do you plan on doing back packing, car camping or climbing? His response was I don't know "I just want to reconnect with nature" so I invited him on San Luis Peak which is one of the easier 14ers in the state but by no means a gimmy for someone who spends most of their time playing the drums. So it was a plan!

We left Friday about 2:30 p.m from Denver and drove 5 hours to the trailhead which included 30 miles of dirt road to get there. The Dirt road was not bad I was going about 40 MPH through most of it. If you drive faster you don't feel the bumps as much

.

We arrived at the trailhead and were surprised there was no one else there to climb the least climbed 14er in the state. After sitting around the campfire we went to sleep about 10 P.M. and got a 4 A.M start. Dave who had arrived at about 9 P.M joined us on the way up and was great company through out the day.

More Reconnecting with nature all we were missing was the mushroom tea.

The 4 mile trail to get to tree line was smooth except for one little mishap. My cousin slipped in the water on a small creek crossing and got his shoes and socks wet. Luckily I had an extra pair in my pack for him.

DJ was 1 for 2 on this creek crossing falling in earlier in the day

There were a couple small snow fields we crossed that could of been avoided if we really wanted to but we chose to cross them and postholed a couple times.

The remaining route once you reach the saddle

At this point I saw DJ tiring and told him VIA the 2 way radio suck it up or lose the hair and earings drummer boy! His pace picked up like magic and soon we made the summit.

The weather was perfect and we hung out on the summit for over an hour. Carl and Mark who were going to ski (Neighbors) got there shorty after and were dissapointed to see that there was not continous snow from the summit. There was a dry section about 30 ft from the summit to the nearest snow. These guys would not be denied when all else fails shovel. They started shoveling snow from the summit to the dry spot in order to connect the snowline enough to get to the next snowfield and make a valid ski decent. It was great entertainment at 14,000 ft.

Dave has the pictures and I'll add to this report when I get them.

Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn in the distance

Finally our Which Wich pose!

I want my free Which Wich! Make that 2 for plugging your business.

Coming down we took our time watched the skiers and enjoyed the views.

Carl and Mark making a desperate ski decent of San Luis

I thought this was cool the water running over the snow.

LMAO he wanted to reconnect with nature!

It was another fun weekend in the Rockies. Don't be surprised if you see my cousin DJ ditching the drums getting clean cut and standing on more summits! Good job Primo!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

wanderingDJ	first 14er and can‘t wait to start doing mor 6/7/2010 4:41pm I had a great time, saw some cool stuff on the way up, loved the view from the summit, and met some pretty cool people. absolutely worth the sore legs the next day. I think my ears made me a little aerodynamic and since I summited I thought the deal was I get to keep the dreads and lobes? :lol: 1 down 57 to go
James Scott	Snow Gear? 6/7/2010 8:17pm Thanks for the trip report- I‘m thinking this weekend for me. You made it up and back without snow gear, correct? Just want to make sure I understand completely. I love the feeling of watching someone get their first fourteener and seeing them turn on to it. Well done!
Tempelton	Good job 6/8/2010 7:04pm with the Which Wich. I keep thinking that they are going to ban me from there with all of the free sandwiches that I have gotten from 14ers.
devo	Love the postholing pic! 11/30/2010 5:28pm Always happy to sacrifice my body so you know which way not to go. It was a great day. Nice meeting up with you and DJ. (Work on those ears) I totally understand why Carl & Mark had to build the snowbridge but it was one of the funniest things I've ever watched. It's not enough to lug your skis, board and boots up 6 1/2 miles but then to spend an hour shoveling snow - priceless. Oh to be young again. Carl & Mark, next time Brats!
Carl	That ski descent was a little contrived... 5/2/2011 2:23pm Nice seeing you again Paul. Also good meeting Dave and your cousin. I think we must have spent over an hour on that ridiculous summit ramp. Here‘s one of the shots I took of Mark prepping San Luis for a ski descent:
Perea	Snow Gear 4/18/2014 7:27pm James no snow gear is required.

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.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App