Mt. Elbert Spring Snow Ascent

“Just have to be careful. There are many trails and wood roads in the area since it is popular for hunting.”

“It's looking more and more like the weekend after this trip is when my office retreat/rafting trip will take place. If so, I'm out for sure. I should know more in a few weeks.”

“Dayhiker, you are going to freeze the nuts off those tenderfoots by taking them rafting in April. Wait a month and take them in May or June. Now get your gear and head to Elbert with us.”

“The 2 younger engineers take their PE exam (our version of the bar or CPA exam) the weekend before. This will be a fun trip to goof off after 3 months of studying. Also, in April wetsuits are mandatory. There is one thing that could cause this trip to slide back a few weeks, but it's probably going to be the 27th when we go. Now get your butt to RRG.”

“Did someone say goof?”

“Just wanted to point out that this weekend marks the 3 month countdown. I am still down as a maybe until I purchase tickets, but am very much looking forward to being back in Denver again, and getting into some real elevation.”

“Oh MY gosh we're under 90 days! I need to get shopping :-)”

“:)

and the snow pack in the mountains is already at normal spring levels!

Its gonna be DEEP!”

“Wouldn't the snow pack be less in the spring due to meltage?”

“not in April :)

well, it will below 10,000 feet, but not above. Spring comes late in the high country.
last edited: 1/23/07 4:26:00 PM”

“I know that... but wouldn't there be less than now?”

“well there could be - i've heard predictions that the El Nino effect will cause us to dry out over the next few months. Its really hard to predict - but generally I think we get the wettest heaviest snow in march or april.

two years ago we had over two foot of snow fall on may 1 - I was camped in it. It was awesome!”

“I guess we'll just have to wait and see...and be prepared for anything. From your weekend hike pictures it looks like about 6 feet of snow!”

“Its weird but there could be minimal snow above treeline and tons of snow just below it. Or viceversa.”

“Hrmmm, this sounds interesting. I might get to finally meet some TT'ers. I am done with work on April 10th, going on a week backpacking trip with my girlfriend in the Grand Canyon with side trips in Bryce, Aion and Canyonlands, then returning to Mississippi for school shortly thereafter.

I might have to drive down from Montana or get a cheap ticket out of Bozeman.”

“Hey Deltahiker. Where are you staying at the Grand Canyon?”

“Hey Adventurist,
The original plan was to travel from Bellingham, WA and take the Alaska Marine Highway System to Juneau for the trip with my girlfriend. Plans have changed and now we are traveling a little closer. I live in West Yellowstone. we do not have a trail picked out yet but I have dayhiked the hermit trail before, so that one is looking good for our backpacking trip. It's going to kill me considering I am out of shape this year. After that, depending on the exact day of the trip, I will come out and hike with you guys if I am welcome. Summit Time!”

“So's I don't have to read all of this, what are the dates for this trip?

Do I need to bring TP, or will DHutch do the honors?”

“I got ya covered EddieS! Butt I'm not wiping :-)

4/20-4/23. If you click on the trip page it lists all details.”

“careful Eddie, you'll get banned....

:)”

“I wanna hear that story around the campfire on this trip. I'm certain it's a doozey.”

“So are you guys camping at the trailhead Friday night? Climbing Sat & Sun?”

“yeah, that's the general idear. should be a good time!”

“Come on Toejam time is getting close. I put in about 2000 feet and near 8 miles on my snowshoes today. With brused ribs and a nearly dislocated shoulder. I carried two poles but one just drag most of the time. My shoulder is loose but it has stayed in the socket. Going down stairs it jiggles a bit in the socket. I expect it to be solid enough for Elbert. My Tubbs snowshoes and my Camp crampons worked great. I'm really glad I got to field test them.”

““I got ya covered EddieS! Butt I'm not wiping :-)

I'll always have a 'soft spot' for ya.”

“I'm thinking I'll just drive up there, cause that's what I do. I may have crampons and an ice axe by then, but don't expect to need them. It would be nice to play with all that cool gear before showing up at Mt. Rainier this summer.”

“hey toejam, this spring I'll be doing some couloir climbs with axe/crampons. Lets keep in touch and you can get some gear time in before heading out to WA.”

“Thanks, Roam. What did you have in mind?”

“Toejam I blew the horn at you as I passed the Granbury exit on I-20 this morning at 4am!

Snoeshoeing Rocks!!!!!!!!!”

“It would be nice to get my snowshoes out this season. I haven't had the chance to use them in over a year.

I'm still crossing my fingers that we can get both Elbert and Mt. Massive, most importantly, Elbert.
last edited: 2/25/07 10:30:13 AM”

“ENS, are you starting from Twin Lakes campground or Halfmoon Creek? I've been assuming you were starting from Twin Lakes, but I see now that Mr. Middlebrook thinks the NE ridge is the standard route. I'm not sure what the condition of the Halfmoon Ck road is in April, which is the standard route to Massive. Massive may be more doable from the fish hatchery.


Bateauxdriver, where were you snowshoing?”

“toejam - there are three couloirs on the north side of Flattop and a couple others in chaos canyon - PLUS Mr. Bison wants to go back to Holy Cross - we did the Angelica couploir last spring and I'd like to do the Cross Couloir this year.

many options - flattop is for sure though.”

“I'm going along for the ride.. lol I know very little about the area and have done almost no research at this point.”

“we're starting the Elbert ascent from Twin Lakes - at least that's the tentative plan as it stands now.”

“Thanks again, Mr. Around”

“As soon as those dates are solid I will make travel plans. Denver is about 12 hours...I might drive instead of fly.”

“Bateauxdriver, where were you snowshoing?”
toejam
7:12:56 AM

Toejam I took the family out to the Winter Park Colorado area for a ski trip. I was crazy enough to strap on skis again. Well one week later I finally got full use of my shoulder again and my ribs still hurt a little.

I snoeshoed the nordic system trails at the Grandby Ranch Sol Vista Ski area. The trails are near the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Snoeshoeing is much safer than Skiing. Time is getting close.”

“delta - the dates aren't gonna move.”

“Sahweeet! I will start making plans. I just confirmed with ENS on myspace cult.

I have never been at 14,000 before! I swore the first time I went to RMNP I would be back to do Longs Peak one summer... or if I progress enough, one winter. The highest I have hiked was 12.5K feet. This will be a milestone for me. Im going to feel like im breathing out of a straw up there. The cold will not be a factor. I have gotten used to -30 nights here in Yellowstone. Im so pumped!

Anyone chosen a route yet? Sorry If it's been posted already.”

“The plan is to avoid al snow by digging a tunnel to the center of the mountain where a secret elevator awaits.

In order to achieve this task we all need our strength. Eat these magic mushrooms.”

“Why don't we just take the snowcat to the top?

Delta - 14,000' doesn't feel any different than 12,000'.

Bateaux - the one time I tried cross-country skiing I thought I'd be having a lot more fun if I was snowshoing.”

“Delta, being over 14,000 feet rocks :)

Enjoy the view.”

“Yeah, but the plan is to HIKE up there, SC.”

“that won't be so bad :)

<----hiked up white mountain, CA”

“The elevator route ay?

Seriously!

If anyone needs a ride or wants me to split gas with them from Denver. Please let me know. Either here or don@livedon.com”

“I just ordered a map from MYTOPO, I used a modified version of the ones posted by Dhutch1. I skimped a little on detail and got a 1:35000 that will include twin lakes, Mt. Elbert and most of Mt. Massive. Hit edit map and it will show a red square of the selected area.

http://www.mytopo.com/review.cfm?mytopoid=32388
last edited: 3/10/07 1:32:13 PM”

“Looks like I'll be joining everyone on the journy to the summit of Elbert!! Sounds like it's going to be a blast!!!”

“hey guys, I'll be arriving in Denver Thursday, is there anyone passing through that I could hitch a ride with either that day or Friday? I'll be more than happy to split gas money!!”

“Just sent my Vacation notice to the team :-)

It says - "I'll be on a mountain with no cell phone service"

YES!”