The long approach up Horn Fork Basin really hammered us, and it was clear we weren’t going to beat the weather. So-we actually slowed down and looked for a place to stop and let the storms pass. Vern and I found this gargantuan rock in the basin just beneath the final pitch up the mountain’s west ridge. This rock was the size of my house, and it sat on top of other rocks not quite as large. We were able to cozy up underneath this rock, pull out our packs and enjoy some goodies and catch a nap.
The storm came through and proceeded to thump on Harvard really good. Lightning and thunder galore, raging wind and torrential downpours. Safe and sound beneath the rock, we watched this lightning lit frenzy for much longer than expected. This slow moving storm lasted nearly two hours. When it finally cleared, it was 3PM. The skies to the west were clear, so we decided to continue our attempt of the mountain.
Clouds cleared from Harvard quickly, revealing a fresh coat of hail stones two to four inches thick. As the sun came out, the hail melted quickly. By the time we reached the summit rocks, they were partially dry and we were able to climb on them safely. From the summit, we could see the storm to the east hovering over South Park. It was so dark beyond the foothills in the foreground, we could see nothing. It was like looking into a black hole from Harvard’s summit.
We were lucky with this one. We saw it coming and we were able to find shelter and wait it out. Rest assured if this were a storm front and not just the daily monsoon rampage typical in Colorado, we would have turned around rather than risk stranding ourselves in a serious weather situation high in Horn Fork Basin. Finding such shelter and waiting out such a storm doesn’t always happen, and it isn’t always the best thing to do anyway.
To see the 8th worst storm I’ve done battle with, go to this mountain. Images
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Sawatch Range
