Awesome report, Jim! I think there has only been one longer dayhike that I have done and that was Grand Canyon Rim-Rim-Rim, which nosed out this hike by only 1.5 hrs! I think just getting to our campsite and the descent past the hourglass was harder than the climb itself. The last hour was hell, and I usually like bushwacking! Kudos to you both on another big step to the completion of the 14ers. You can do it!
The Blanca massif sure does have a way of wearing me out for sure! The hourglass was by far the most enjoyable part of the day for me. It's all downhill from here right?
Congrats Jim, Karen, and Kevin on a great climb! Nice TR and pix too. So is couloir climbing easier when nobody is throwing Gatorade bottles down at you? :-)
Thanks for the trip report. We are planning on a trip to the area this weekend to attempt the 14ers in the area. Great route beta and info on snow condidtions!
We just got back yesterday, there was a LOT more snow melt than the other TR. We still had great conditions on the mountain, allthough you definitly could not ski it top to bottom right now. We made the summits of Ellingwood, Blanca, Little Bear, California Pk, Pt 13,577 and Pt 13,660 in three days. I'll get a TR going soon with an update on current conditions. Thanks agian!
Wow! You guys really got after it! Looking forward to seeing the pics in your TR. I know several people who are interested in heading up there this weekend that will be as well!
with MoapaPk. This is a very nice and refreshing twist on the usual trip report. It makes it more of a pleasure to read.
The pictures came out good! I'll be using them soon for current conditions!
Good write up.
Kiefer
shknbke - May 2, 2008 9:50 am - Voted 10/10
Perserverence indeed!Awesome report, Jim! I think there has only been one longer dayhike that I have done and that was Grand Canyon Rim-Rim-Rim, which nosed out this hike by only 1.5 hrs! I think just getting to our campsite and the descent past the hourglass was harder than the climb itself. The last hour was hell, and I usually like bushwacking! Kudos to you both on another big step to the completion of the 14ers. You can do it!
HokieJim - May 4, 2008 4:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Perserverence indeed!The Blanca massif sure does have a way of wearing me out for sure! The hourglass was by far the most enjoyable part of the day for me. It's all downhill from here right?
Hoot - May 2, 2008 9:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Well done!Congrats Jim, Karen, and Kevin on a great climb! Nice TR and pix too. So is couloir climbing easier when nobody is throwing Gatorade bottles down at you? :-)
HokieJim - May 4, 2008 4:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Well done!Thanks Hoot! I figured that Gatorade bottle was just training for the possibility of a loose rock in the couloir on Little Bear! haha
Eric Holle - May 8, 2008 5:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Great TR!Thanks for the trip report. We are planning on a trip to the area this weekend to attempt the 14ers in the area. Great route beta and info on snow condidtions!
HokieJim - May 9, 2008 12:32 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TR!Thanks Eric! Check out cdowdy's TR from the following weekend here for a more recent update. Quite a bit of snow melted over the course of that week.
Eric Holle - May 14, 2008 2:30 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TR!We just got back yesterday, there was a LOT more snow melt than the other TR. We still had great conditions on the mountain, allthough you definitly could not ski it top to bottom right now. We made the summits of Ellingwood, Blanca, Little Bear, California Pk, Pt 13,577 and Pt 13,660 in three days. I'll get a TR going soon with an update on current conditions. Thanks agian!
HokieJim - May 14, 2008 11:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TR!Wow! You guys really got after it! Looking forward to seeing the pics in your TR. I know several people who are interested in heading up there this weekend that will be as well!
MoapaPk - May 9, 2008 5:10 am - Voted 10/10
refreshing...to read an honest account with lessons, human foibles and emotions, and a minimum of heroics! Good job.
HokieJim - May 14, 2008 1:58 am - Hasn't voted
Re: refreshingThanks for your comment! I'm glad to hear it may have been as enjoyable to read as it was to write!
Kiefer - May 9, 2008 9:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Agreewith MoapaPk. This is a very nice and refreshing twist on the usual trip report. It makes it more of a pleasure to read.
The pictures came out good! I'll be using them soon for current conditions!
Good write up.
Kiefer
HokieJim - May 14, 2008 2:05 am - Hasn't voted
Re: AgreeThanks Kiefer! Looks like they may have gotten some much-needed new snow down there today. Enjoy your trip if you are headed down there soon!