Ascent of Quandary Peak on 2010-08-07| Others in Party: | Aaron | | Date: | Saturday, August 7, 2010 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Motorized Transport to Trailhead: | 4x4 Vehicle | | Peak: | Quandary Peak | | Location: | USA-Colorado | | Elevation: | 14265 ft / 4347 m |
Ascent Trip ReportAs Gerry Roach stated, this ridge should be treated with respect, and it demands it. We started a little later than we intended (10:30) but the weather was perfect as we left the trailhead. From Blue Lake to the Quandary-Fletcher saddle was pretty straightforward and of little difficulty; staying with the cairns was probably the most challenging part. We passed a few other groups heading up to the West Ridge, but none of them made it past the pond just below the saddle. From the saddle the route was fairly direct, and I found myself looking up to the summit in disbelief that this was considered a Class 3. However, at about 14,000 the real scrambling began. There were numerous towers to get around or over, all extremely exposed. We were stupid to leave as late as we did, but fortune smiled down on us as the clouds remained at bay. The last 265 feet up were by far the most challenging and time consuming, but the satisfaction at the summit was well worth it. We spent about 30 minutes relaxing and conversing with hikers who came up the popular East Slopes route before heading down the rediculously steep Cristo Couloir. I would not go down this couloir again, it is just too steep. Better to go down via East Slopes.
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| Summary Total Data | | Elevation Gain: | 2565 ft / 781 m | | Elevation Loss: | 2565 ft / 781 m | | Distance: | 3.8 mi / 6.1 km | | Grade/Class: | Grade I, Class 3 | | Quality: | 9 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Road Hike, Maintained Trail, Unmaintained Trail, Open Country, Scramble, Exposed Scramble | | Gear Used: | Ski Poles | | Weather: | Drizzle, Pleasant, Calm, Partly Cloudy | | Ascent Statistics | | Elevation Gain: | 2565 ft / 781 m | | Distance: | 2.8 mi / 4.5 km | | Route: | West Ridge | | Trailhead: | Blue Lake Trailhead 11700 ft / 3566 m | | Time Up: | 3 Hours 15 Minutes | | Descent Statistics | | Elevation Loss: | 2565 ft / 781 m | | Distance: | 1 mi / 1.6 km | | Route: | Cristo Couloir | | Trailhead: | Blue Lake Trailhead 11700 ft / 3566 m | | Time Down: | 1 Hours 45 Minutes |
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