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Quandary PeakMay 1, 2009 - Christo Couloir
The route offered a 2500 foot snow climb at the end of a two mile road march. I packed my skis, my snow shoes, and my spring hiking boots so I could decide at the trail head what I would take in the way of gear. It was certainly different from the aborted trip I did to Quandary with Bob as on that trip I forgot my boots and we were skunked from the get go. Yes, at 48 years of age and 25 years of climbing, I am still able to forget my boots (and admit to doing so).
I started up at 6:30 and found great cramponing snow, in fact I'd almost call it neve with a touch of sharp ice from the prior days melt and freeze cycle. The point of the axe only went in about one half inch to an inch and the snow took the crampons wonderfully. I wasn't worrying about an arrest in case of a slip but it was hard enough that I'd want to be fast in the process. Needless to say, I'd have gone home disappointed if I'd not brought the crampons as at that early hour, I would not have climbed without them.
Another slug of water and Goo and I was plunge stepping my way down the couloir, basically retracing my ascent route and staying out of the center of the couloir. I squeezed snow and still did not get any drips but it was heading onto 10:00 am and I was ready to get off the warming snow. I passed a group of four working their way up with skis and I was at the car by 11:00 and headed for Cheyenne and sure enough I caught up with the predicted rain and fog as I dropped off I-70 to make the run to Golden through Clear Creek Canyon. Rain, fog, and drizzle all the way to Cheyenne.
An alternate route . . . Quandary's East Ridge Tourist Trail
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