The 16th Annual Winter Welcomer!

[globreal]

The 16th Annual Winter Welcomer!
Quandary Peak-14,272'-East Ridge
Scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2024—7:30am

So, what is the Winter Welcomer? It is an event started by Steve Gladbach (sgladbach) and Jim DiNapoli (dancesatmoonrise), who both had a desire to help others learn backcountry skills. Even though Steve and Jim are no longer with us, Brad McQueen (bmcqueen) Ryan Richardson (RyGuy) and myself, Britt Jones (globreal) desire to carry on their tradition of helping others learn skills for hiking and climbing in winter.

We know people move to Colorado all the time who are unaware what is needed to climb the high peaks in cold and snowy conditions, much less be aware of the dangers of avalanches. This annual "Winter Welcomer" offers an experience of climbing in winter conditions with other people on the mountain. There are usually experienced climbers on this outing whom you can hike with, learn from, and ask questions of, to grow your skills.

We are climbing Quandary Peak since the required shuttle/parking permit system is over as of September 16, 2024. Please note: only park in the designated parking lot or you will likely receive a ticket. Do NOT park on the neighborhood roads. Because of limited parking, we encourage everyone to carpool or park in the Hoosier Pass parking lot and get a ride back down to the trailhead.

Most will hike the STANDARD EAST RIDGE route:
https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=quan1

We (organizers) plan to arrive in time to start hiking by 7:30am. However, feel free to start anytime between 6:00a-9:00a and hike at your own pace. An average/moderate pace is 3.5 to 4 hours to get to the summit. Getting back down is usually a bit quicker around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Hiking solo is not advised, especially in winter. So, feel free to post in this thread for a partner and then stay together with your partner(s).

Tradition has led to a post-climb tailgate party back at the parking lot. So plan to linger and bring some post climb tailgating food and drink to share and enjoy with the group.

This annual climb is done around Halloween and so tradition is to wear a Halloween costume. Get creative. It's loads of fun!

Again, this annual winter-esk climb (official winter starts Dec 21) is all about helping people learn to stay safe in winter. So please, use this thread to ask questions. There are NO dumb questions!

Disclaimer:
The Winter Welcomer is unofficial and informal and has no affiliation with any group, organization or website. It is not a guide service, just a "help" service. There is no professional instruction offered and no fees are exchanged. The more experienced hikers often help newer folks, but know that you enter the backcountry at your own risk so bring your 10 ESSENTIALS and learn how to use them. You are personally responsible to have the equipment, knowledge, and physical ability to reach your destination and return safely. And as always, please practice all Leave No Trace principles.

[dwoodward13]

Wooo! Thanks for organizing again Britt! See everyone there!

[two lunches]

not taking this opportunity to repeat the trapdoor jubilee that was Fletcher in shoulder season last year... likely heading for the west ridge this time. see y'all there

[daway8]

not taking this opportunity to repeat the trapdoor jubilee that was Fletcher in shoulder season last year... likely heading for the west ridge this time. see y'all there

I'd be happy to join a Quandary West Ridge crew again - I've got 6 Quandary summits so far - 4 of them on West Ridge, with 3 of those being with Winter Welcomers over the years.

West Ridge is a great place to get some introductory class 3 experience in conditions that will likely be at least somewhat snow/ice covered by the last weekend of October - great way to see if winter 14ers might be your thing or not (prior to having to deal with actual full-on winter conditions).

I'm always happy to help coach folks new to winter scrambling up this route - though it's probably best if people have at least a little class 3
experience in summer before trying this one (typical disclaimer of come at your own risk, blah, blah, blah).

[Scott P]

Right now long term forecasts are predicting record heat or warm weather all the way through October 20. Hopefully the weather changes soon.

[daway8]

Well the long-term outlook from OpenSnow says: "signs are pointing toward potential storminess between about October 20-30th..."

So hopefully we'll get at least a touch of wintery conditions in time for the Welcomer, though I for one have been happy to see such pristine weather lately and hope to continue to make good use of it in the meantime!

[headsizeburrito]

I still haven't done the west ridge, so it's on my calendar. I even have a costume!

[madmattd]

Count me in on the "interested in West Ridge" group.

[SDuster]

Hey all! Brand new to the 14er forum scene, and have never been to a Winter Welcomer (or done a winter ascent).

Anyone leaving from the Fort Collins area? I would love to help fill a spot and spot some gas.
Shoot me a message to connect!

[bmcqueen]

Looking forward to another Winter Welcomer! I need to be back in Denver by mid-afternoon, so I’ll be launching up the east ridge about 5:30 am. If anyone wants to join for a sunrise above the trees, it would be great to have some company. Many winter outings involve some time in the dark - either at the front end, the back end, or sometimes both. Ah, the joy of shorter days!

[joanv64]

Would love to join in again this year and yes I also have a costume. The sunrise ascent sounds tempting not sure if I can make it over that early over from Leadville. Looking forward to seeing you folks again!
Joan

[globreal]

We are less than a week away from the Winter Welcomer for our annual 14er climb of Quandary Peak. The area has been getting snow this weekend through Monday. However, the rest of the week looks favorable and dry. The current forecast for Saturday is looking good, with the exception of 20-30mph winds.

For those coming, please reach out to find others to carpool with. (In the past we've seen 80-100 people on the mountain.) We don't want to overflow the parking lot. That equates to parking tickets, and nobody wants that.

For those new to mountaineering, please plan to have your ten essentials with you. (What would happen if you broke your ankle, can't hike, and you are above treeline, in high winds, and your body is not generation heat?) Your 10 Essentials would be...um, Essential (ie: "shelter", which could be just a Hefty trash bag that could save your life). Search and rescue may be hours away, at best, or not able to come until the next day, at worst. Can you survive the night? If you don't know what the 10 Essentials are, watch this video.

https://youtu.be/tvIH-5B576w?si=9y52l5kfiBuTEG3y

With temperatures below freezing, and wind child temps in the low teens, leave your Camelback water bladders at home. Use water bottles inside insulators.

Please ask questions if this is your first attempt to climb a 14er in winter-ish conditions. Many on this site love to help others.