dan_spors says: I was there two weeks ago. At that time, the snow was at most 6" deep, so snowshoes would be overkill, but microspikes would have come in handy. The trail just past treeline was hard packed and slippery--definitely treacherous with just boots on. I didn't summit due to conditions but turned around at 13,000'. Past my highpoint the trail looked much the same; no deep snow cover but plenty of hard packed snow on the trail.
BillMiddlebrook says: I didn't include a route line in the .GPX files. If you're using MapSource, highlight the waypoints that you want (you don't need to select all of them) and right-click to create a route. Then you can download the route to the GPS.
Jim Davies says: There was a female geology researcher killed by a guy on a back road near Fairplay a few years ago . It was only borderline "backcountry" since it happened at a roadside campsite, but it's the most prominent assault case I've heard of (other than the two women you mentioned) in the time I've been hiking here (19 years).
mtngoat says: "Prairie Native" perfect! i wasnt looking for sking a 60 degree coulior, just approaches into the basins. Im sick of postholing and I think skis are probably faster and more fun than snowshoes.
I f you are planning on trying to downhill at all on an x-country set up, I would STRONGLY suggest taking at least a day of telemark lessons to learn the basics of a telemark turn. It will still be harder to execute on a x-country ski but trying to alpine turn on a x-country set up is just funny to watch. I am not a telemarker and I almost want to learn simply for this reason.
x-country as previously stated is not for much above a 10-15 degree pitch. When you start getting above that, it can get tricky. I am sure there are some balance experts out there that might refute and give tales of coming down 50 degree pitches through the trees on x-country stuff, but for me, that stuff is for modest angles at best. Think of a steep road and that is about the limit of most xcountry stuff.
you could always carry skis and boots on a pack and snowshoe up...much more cumbersome but it is how I started my BC experience. DO NOT do as I once did and try to snowshoe in alpine skiing boots, you will hate yourself later. I did that on my first hut trip. Miserable hike in.
javy20040 says: I like to be on the mountain by sunrise not at the Trailhead or leaving my house. And 6:00 am is late for me, I love to start 3 or 4 am. And, an early start give to you 90% summit. There isn't early or late start, whatever you like is fine with you, whatever I like is fine with me. See you at the mountains guys. Javier
Gahugafuga says: "GravityPilot" Soon a pair of 192 BD Zealots w/ Freerides and some Spirit 4s. Going to get last years Zealots, I don't want the early rise tip.
Caveat emptor. My first attempt with Zealots I mounted them with Freerides and was skiing them with Garmont Axons (slightly stiffer than Spirit 4s). I thought they were garbage and the mounting point was way off. Remounted them with alpine bindings at +3cm and started skiing them with stiff alpine boots - I now consider the Zealots the best ski I've ever owned. They don't come alive until you're moving fast so you've gotta be able to drive them. But if your boots are dialed in, they are absurdly damp and stable for how light they are.
BD Zealots w/ S914s (resort and hikeable slackcountry) BD Kilowatts w/ Fritschi Eagles and G3 Alpinist Skins (long tours, non-pow tours) BD Megawatts w/ Fritschi Eagles and G3 Alpinist Skins (pow tours, deep resort days)
And Rossi B-Squads w/ Zipfit liners for resort and backcountry or Garmont Axons w/ Intuition liners for the longest tours.
CO Native says: Tenpins- what you posted refers to fire departments not SAR.
I read the same article the OP mentioned. The article states that SAR may charge up to $300 for rescues (which is news to me), but in all the searcheS I participated in the only time anyone has been assessed a fee is a criminal fee. Colorado SAR teams are more than opposed to charging, we don't do it.
cvrti5 says: "Papillon" "cvrti5" So my sweaty palms prevent me from leaving solid fingerprints.
I have the same problem only it is the hair on my palms that prevent me from leaving prints. My ophthalmologist thinks this may be related to my recent vision problems but I'll find out more when I see him on Monday. Yeah, I just hate those hairy palms
akmpolsen says: "usfgal" For what it's worth, I didn't think the rock on Pyramid was all that bad and certainly not as loose as its reputation makes it sound. There was no snow on it when we climbed it, but I can't imagine a snow climb would be easier. Whenever you go, have a great time--it is an awesome peak!
I absolutely agree with you here. Pyramid on dry rock would certainly be easier and safer than in snow, even spring snow. My two cents...
I shoot Nikon so I hope the following makes some sense. I would speculate your yellowish tint comes from the white balance set too warm. If its on "auto" then your cameras sensor and metering may be over compensating low light because of the cloud cover. Try a manual "cooler"setting. Nikon translates warms from 5500K-6000K and cools from 4900k-5500k. Your shot looks about 6000K. Really warm. I would shoot that shot around 5200K.
zoriloco says: Thanks, Im still learning my way around the site.
Seems that report was posted up before the big snow storm on the 28th. Even with chains and 4WD the Ranger's Office suggested not giving it a try. Ill see once I get up there what I'll do.
bigsexy says: I want to thank everyone for their advice. I weighed in Monday and was down 85 pounds. On Saturday I did a 16 mile trail and on Monday started walking 5 miles per night with a 30 pound pack. Tomorrow I am taking the pack to a local park and doing work on a hill. I started light weight training and got my bike out of storage and into the garage. It is amazing what ten years of storage can do to a chain and tubes.
Thanks again for the help and I hope to see some of you at the top of Holy Cross in a couple of years.
