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"...
Absolutely perfect day on Quandary. Well, I guess it would have been perfect if Josh and I brought are boards to ride down
We were going to hike Democrat, Lincoln, Cameron, and possibly Bross today. However, we were only able to make it 2.3 miles up the 6 mile road to Kite Lake trail head (drifts are about 3-4 feet deep). The extra distance didn't factor out for us today. Another day for that.
So, we decided on Quandary. Being craving some elevation gain. Left trail head at 7:15ish. We used our snow shoes basically the whole way up. Snow was hard in most parts, but we started post holing enough to warrant the shoes. Temperature must have been in the mid 60s. It was freakin beautiful today. Josh and I got the sunburned face to prove it. Yes, we forgot the sunscreen.
Quite a few people up there today! Nice meeting many of you, especially Scott
On the way back down, we did get to do a little glissading. That was certainly the funnest part of the descent. The snow was getting very soft in many areas, and we were busting through it, even with snow shoes on.
Fantastic day indeed. I did underestimate the 14er, I will admit. That last approach will take it out of ya Only bummer was all the smoke in the air from the unfortunate fires to our south.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Thanks for the insights and great photos! I was trying to explain to a person who has never done a 14er and who wants to go on the 29th that there will still be snow and special footwear will be needed. This report should help them visualize!
Two questions:
1. How much more difficult is it to do the hike in snowshoes?
2. When would you predict the snow will be gone?
I was up there last year on July 1. There was a patch of snow for maybe 100yds just below the summit, otherwise it was dry the whole way. This year there is more snow than last year, so it may be hard to predict.
difficulty hiking on snowshoes is going to depend largely on the snow conditions. If it's firm and you aren't sinking much it won't be that much more difficult, though even a small increase in exertion with each step adds up after thousands and thousands of steps. :) If the snow is soft and you're sinking in, it gets exponentially more difficult.
great pics; we climbed it a couple weeks ago in the epic May 21 blizzard (have pics/TR posted) cool to see how much melt there's been in the last 2 weeks, though still a ton of snow up there!
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.
Only bummer was all the smoke in the air from the unfortunate fires to our south.
