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Ascent of Kelly Mountain-Northwest Summit on 2012-03-16

Climber: Gustav Sexauer

Other People:

Solo Ascent
Only Party on Mountain

Date:

Friday, March 16, 2012

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Motorized Transport to Trailhead:

Car

Peak:

Kelly Mountain-Northwest Summit

Location:

USA-Idaho

Elevation:

6664 ft / 2031 m

Ascent Trip Report

After driving out of storms at Pebble Creek ski area I saw that I would once again be racing a storm front to the highpoint. Twice in one day! I parked at the upper lodge building of Kelly Canyon ski area as the main parking lot was roped off. The ski area had closed just a week ago, so I looked very thoroughly for a no trespassing sign. I found none. At the base of the main lifts I put on my skins and decided to go up the Moose Traverse trail on the western boundary of the ski area. This was a gradual ascent, and probably the best if you are using skins while the area is closed. Eventually the trail will hook east back towards the top of the lifts. I went right/west and followed some tree markers for a snowshoe trail. I then was impatient with the direction the trail was going and bee-lined for the ridge. This required some bushwhacking, but it was only five to ten minutes before I was out on the ridge between the two highest contours. I went south first to the refrigerator sized rock. It was green with small moss and lichens and would make a much rounded and fat fridge. Looking around, there are no other rocks of this size. After a summit photo I went over to the north area straight along the ridge. Although I had no tools, I'd guess that the south area is indeed higher. Then the storm sat down on the ridge and it began to rain quite hard as I took my skins off. I took a fall line route back to the Moose Traverse, which wasn't the best idea. I ran into many bushes and had to do mild gymnastics to get my skis through some of the brambles. Once back on the trail it's an easy green ski run to the bottom. I really enjoyed the views off of the ridge in this time of great change in the seasons. I saw animal tracks in the snow, but I didn't encounter anything more than a bird.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

864 ft / 264 m

Elevation Loss:

864 ft / 264 m

Distance:

3.1 mi / 5 km

Grade/Class:

Class 1

Quality:

4 (on a subjective 1-10 scale)

Route Conditions:

Open Country, Bushwhack, Snow on Ground

Gear Used:

Skis, Ski Poles

Weather:

Raining, Cool, Breezy, Overcast

Ascent Statistics

Elevation Gain:

864 ft / 264 m

Distance:

1.6 mi / 2.5 km

Route:

Moose Traverse

Trailhead:

Kelly Canyon base area 5800 ft / 1767 m

Time Up:

1 Hours 20 Minutes

Descent Statistics

Elevation Loss:

864 ft / 264 m

Distance:

1.5 mi / 2.5 km

Route:

Moose Traverse

Trailhead:

Kelly Canyon base area 5800 ft / 1767 m

Time Down:

20 Minutes

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