Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
After a long afternoon and evening spent in the tent listening to the snow fall Dwight & I awake to a clear day for our summit attempt!
January 7 - 9, 2012
After a long afternoon and evening spent in the tent listening to the snow fall Dwight & I awake to a clear day for our summit attempt!
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
A hint of the old snowshoe track we followed from Lead King Basin to Geneva Lake. Unfortunately this is where our paths diverge.
January 7 - 9, 2012
A hint of the old snowshoe track we followed from Lead King Basin to Geneva Lake. Unfortunately this is where our paths diverge.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight breaking trail through deep powder en route to Snowmass' West Face. We'd hoped to be able to construct a trench yesterday after reaching camp but the weather was just too nasty.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight breaking trail through deep powder en route to Snowmass' West Face. We'd hoped to be able to construct a trench yesterday after reaching camp but the weather was just too nasty.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Passing slightly east of Little Gem Lake.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Passing slightly east of Little Gem Lake.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Hiking under the large West Face of Snowmass Mountain.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Hiking under the large West Face of Snowmass Mountain.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight approaching our gear up spot at the base of the West Face. The best route up this expansive face isn't totally obvious but based on a previous failed attempt and some research we think we know what's worth trying at least.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight approaching our gear up spot at the base of the West Face. The best route up this expansive face isn't totally obvious but based on a previous failed attempt and some research we think we know what's worth trying at least.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
As I expected, getting past the initial cliff band and up onto the face proves to be nontrivial. Last time in very different conditions we used a rope here and climbed a slightly different line. Today Dwight doesn't want to test a short but questionable snow slope which appears to provide the easiest passage and instead climbs loose snow and awkward rock on the side of it. I take a belay and our 30 meter rope is all but maxed out. No rapping this...
January 7 - 9, 2012
As I expected, getting past the initial cliff band and up onto the face proves to be nontrivial. Last time in very different conditions we used a rope here and climbed a slightly different line. Today Dwight doesn't want to test a short but questionable snow slope which appears to provide the easiest passage and instead climbs loose snow and awkward rock on the side of it. I take a belay and our 30 meter rope is all but maxed out. No rapping this...
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight begins up the steep lower portion of the face.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight begins up the steep lower portion of the face.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
We try to hop between rock islands...
January 7 - 9, 2012
We try to hop between rock islands...
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
...because the snow is deep and tiring.
January 7 - 9, 2012
...because the snow is deep and tiring.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
We're now following the same route we did on that failed attmept. Please take us somewhere good...
January 7 - 9, 2012
We're now following the same route we did on that failed attmept. Please take us somewhere good...
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Boulders buried in deep snow are obnoxious but their anchorage is most welcomed.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Boulders buried in deep snow are obnoxious but their anchorage is most welcomed.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
The rib we're following sharpens up and we avoid the crest for a bit by dropping to its left. Its not that the scrambling up there is overly difficult; stacks of loose, people crushing boulders scare me.
January 7 - 9, 2012
The rib we're following sharpens up and we avoid the crest for a bit by dropping to its left. Its not that the scrambling up there is overly difficult; stacks of loose, people crushing boulders scare me.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Well hello again my friend. Capitol Peak pops into view.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Well hello again my friend. Capitol Peak pops into view.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
These are some of the scary boulders notorious for crushing people. Found a couple of huge movers today.
January 7 - 9, 2012
These are some of the scary boulders notorious for crushing people. Found a couple of huge movers today.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
The rib sharpens again up ahead and this time we drop to its right side.
January 7 - 9, 2012
The rib sharpens again up ahead and this time we drop to its right side.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Looking across the west face down to Geneva Lake.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Looking across the west face down to Geneva Lake.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Looking back at Dwight as I catch summit fever.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Looking back at Dwight as I catch summit fever.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Capitol Peak
January 7 - 9, 2012
Capitol Peak
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
There seems to be no end to the tedious going. Every step has to be felt out before being executed because of the dang unpredictable rock under the snow. Ankles twist and turn.
January 7 - 9, 2012
There seems to be no end to the tedious going. Every step has to be felt out before being executed because of the dang unpredictable rock under the snow. Ankles twist and turn.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
As we near the top we start to feel some exposure on our left.
January 7 - 9, 2012
As we near the top we start to feel some exposure on our left.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Its around 1pm and we're still laboring away.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Its around 1pm and we're still laboring away.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
We traverse under the summit ridge toward what looks like the summit.
January 7 - 9, 2012
We traverse under the summit ridge toward what looks like the summit.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
I stop and "give Dwight the honors" hoping to snap a picture of him scrambling to the actual summit...
January 7 - 9, 2012
I stop and "give Dwight the honors" hoping to snap a picture of him scrambling to the actual summit...
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Turns out I've given him a different kind of honor: leading a short but intense little traverse to the true summit that we can't see from here.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Turns out I've given him a different kind of honor: leading a short but intense little traverse to the true summit that we can't see from here.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
True summit ahead, scary exposure to our right. We traverse some little ledges below the ridge crest. With snow and loose rock. Yay! I have to tell myself to suck it up and do it, I mean the winter 14ers aren't supposed to be easy. The rope stays stowed.
January 7 - 9, 2012
True summit ahead, scary exposure to our right. We traverse some little ledges below the ridge crest. With snow and loose rock. Yay! I have to tell myself to suck it up and do it, I mean the winter 14ers aren't supposed to be easy. The rope stays stowed.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight on the unique summit of Snowmass Mountain. Its about 1:45.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight on the unique summit of Snowmass Mountain. Its about 1:45.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Classic shot of Capitol Peak from Snowmass Mountain.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Classic shot of Capitol Peak from Snowmass Mountain.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
The Bells (background, center) and Hagerman Peak.
January 7 - 9, 2012
The Bells (background, center) and Hagerman Peak.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
View toward Geneva Lake. Interesting clouds all day.
January 7 - 9, 2012
View toward Geneva Lake. Interesting clouds all day.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight reversing the traverse. Intense but short.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight reversing the traverse. Intense but short.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
A fall from here would be several hundred feet.
January 7 - 9, 2012
A fall from here would be several hundred feet.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
January 7 - 9, 2012
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
January 7 - 9, 2012
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Let the grueling descent begin.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Let the grueling descent begin.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Capitol Peak yet again.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Capitol Peak yet again.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
How many times did we fall in a hole or get our foot twisted around? Way too many to ever consider gridding on Snowmass.
January 7 - 9, 2012
How many times did we fall in a hole or get our foot twisted around? Way too many to ever consider gridding on Snowmass.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
January 7 - 9, 2012
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight downclimbing the short snow slope at the base of the face. He kindly let me rappel single strand first :). Thanks Dwight.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Dwight downclimbing the short snow slope at the base of the face. He kindly let me rappel single strand first :). Thanks Dwight.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
As we make our exit high winds materialize. Seems like we're just in time. Soon they're be gusting to concerning levels.
January 7 - 9, 2012
As we make our exit high winds materialize. Seems like we're just in time. Soon they're be gusting to concerning levels.
Snowmass Mountain Winter Ascent
January 7 - 9, 2012
Parting shot of the base of the west face.
January 7 - 9, 2012
Parting shot of the base of the west face.
January 7 - 9, 2012
The famous Crystal Mill as seen on the approach hike from Marble to Geneva Lake.