Mount Harvard from camp
Mount Harvard as seen from our campsite at 11,600 feet in Horn Fork Basin.
A three day, two night winter backpacking excursion to bag two more winter 14ers
Mount Harvard as seen from our campsite at 11,600 feet in Horn Fork Basin.
Adam, Kevin and their home for the next two days.
Dwight eating any early dinner.
Dominic and Dwight chat at camp while Mount Harvard serves as a fine backdrop.
Our camp was located right under the
west slopes of Mount Columbia.
The weather took a turn for the worse overnight and we set out for the summit of Mount Harvard in a light snow the following morning.
We found and followed part of the trail north of Bear Lake.
The clouds began to break and we could finally see our objective. Our route follows the ridgeline on the left.
The crew losing a bit of elevation on Mount Harvard's south ridge.
The sun makes a strong appearance as we climb the south ridge. Hopes for UN 13,374 are high.
Looking back at Dominic and Kevin on the south ridge.
Approaching the summit with rather poor visibility. Big boulders and slabs make for slow going here. The wet, blowing snow didn't help either.
Adam and Dominic nearing the summit boulders. In summer this is usually rated class 2+, but its actually a bit tricky when snow covered.
Summit celebration on Mount Harvard.
The crappy weather continues as we head back down to camp.
Birthday Peak shines in the morning sun as we prepare for our climb of Mount Columbia.
Mount Columbia's west slopes are very windscoured and its easy to find an avalanche safe route up them. The cost is a couple thousand feet of horrible scree. We were able to follow the summer trail quite a bit.
Point 12,780 and the blue moon.
Looking back at Dwight and Kevin on the way up Columbia's standard route.
Another view of Birthday Peak from higher up.
Kevin hiking along Columbia's south ridge.
Mount Harvard as seen from the south ridge of Mount Columbia.
Looking back along the south ridge en route to the summit.
Adam and Dominic nearing the summit of Mount Columbia.
UN 13,374 will have to wait for another day.
Kevin topping out on Mount Columbia while the rest of us are already settled in to warm, sunny seats.