Capitol Peak Trip Report 10/17/2023

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Capitol Peak - 14,138 feet
Date Posted	10/17/2023
Date Climbed	09/20/2023
Author	robert_g

Capitol in Crocs - found Apple Watch/ice axe
Sept 20, 2023 Decided to do Capitol in crocs because why not. Started from the trailhead around 4:30 a.m. Smooth sailing to the lake around 6:30 or a bit sooner. Below is a photo once I crested over the ridge and a few more from before cresting while heading up hill above the lake. I really only took videos so I screenshot'd those. Had to pull out the nice camera for that golden hour! The talus field was cold, had to avoid snow patches, and gloves would have been nice but the sun lit it up eventually and started warming the rock/melting the bit of frost on them that made it slippy. Grip with the crocs was tested and this was the crux for them of the day, but I'm quite comfortable in talus fields and still managed to move quite well. Once I had a view of K2 I could see a group of 5 or so ahead of me. (was hoping no one would see me in crocs as I didn't want to worry anyone as I know what I'm capable of, but they were nice and didn't give me flak or anything as I scooted by) We all moved over the top of K2 together and down, recent snow did make one section a bit spicy and from this experience on this day I'd recommend always going over K2 rather than around if there is snow/ice. View of the talus field. Once on knife ridge, I was in my happy place.Walked a little then scooted along it by straddling the ridge. I noticed an ice axe hanging by its teeth down off the ridge! I figured I'd take a closer look at down climbing to snag it on the way back rather than at this moment. I personally love 4th class so I took the ridge all the way the peak, and on the way back I didn't initially, but jumped back on the ridge for heading down as I prefer the stable rock versus the loose small stuff on the trail. I've included a photo where if you look close you can see the ice axe! Reached the summit around 9:10 or so and hung out for a short bit/snacked, then started to head back down! v Initially I debated going barefoot using the cracks to get down to the ice axe but felt comfortable keeping the crocs on as I could use the edges of the shoes, and my hands were very secure, once I was a few steps above the ice axe I came across an APPLE WATCH!!! This was exciting as I was already excited to recover the axe and post it on here to see if I could find the owner! (I'm guessing the watch and axe could be the same person, or maybe not) Let this be the example to secure your belongings before traversing! (I do realize the axe could have been dropped while in use as it did not have an option for a leash as some do, also an axe likely wasn't necessary...but who knows) Little recap and tid bits : Capitol is a long day if you aren't a trail runner or ultra person, I highly recommend starting early from the lake once you make reservations to camp. SECURE your belongings on the ridge, I can't advise crocs, but if they put some vibram rubber on the bottom I would, the cushioning on this pair is decent and protects my feet well. I personally found it safer taking the ridge the whole way up (but that's me and I love exposed rock scrambling/climbing, would argue its more stable than the trail) I would LOVE if I could find whoever the items I recovered belong to, the watch is locked out and while I'm happy to keep the axe I would find it more fun to return! So if you know who's they might be feel free to reach out, I'm located in Boulder. Be safe n have fun out there!! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Capitol in Crocs - found Apple Watch/ice axe

Sept 20, 2023

Decided to do Capitol in crocs because why not.

Started from the trailhead around 4:30 a.m. Smooth sailing to the lake around 6:30 or a bit sooner. Below is a photo once I crested over the ridge and a few more from before cresting while heading up hill above the lake. I really only took videos so I screenshot'd those. Had to pull out the nice camera for that golden hour!

22413_01 22413_04 22413_05

The talus field was cold, had to avoid snow patches, and gloves would have been nice but the sun lit it up eventually and started warming the rock/melting the bit of frost on them that made it slippy. Grip with the crocs was tested and this was the crux for them of the day, but I'm quite comfortable in talus fields and still managed to move quite well. Once I had a view of K2 I could see a group of 5 or so ahead of me. (was hoping no one would see me in crocs as I didn't want to worry anyone as I know what I'm capable of, but they were nice and didn't give me flak or anything as I scooted by) We all moved over the top of K2 together and down, recent snow did make one section a bit spicy and from this experience on this day I'd recommend always going over K2 rather than around if there is snow/ice. View of the talus field. 22413_10

Once on knife ridge, I was in my happy place.Walked a little then scooted along it by straddling the ridge. I noticed an ice axe hanging by its teeth down off the ridge! I figured I'd take a closer look at down climbing to snag it on the way back rather than at this moment. I personally love 4th class so I took the ridge all the way the peak, and on the way back I didn't initially, but jumped back on the ridge for heading down as I prefer the stable rock versus the loose small stuff on the trail. I've included a photo where if you look close you can see the ice axe! Reached the summit around 9:10 or so and hung out for a short bit/snacked, then started to head back down!

v 22413_07 22413_03 22413_09 22413_06 22413_08

Initially I debated going barefoot using the cracks to get down to the ice axe but felt comfortable keeping the crocs on as I could use the edges of the shoes, and my hands were very secure, once I was a few steps above the ice axe I came across an APPLE WATCH!!! This was exciting as I was already excited to recover the axe and post it on here to see if I could find the owner! (I'm guessing the watch and axe could be the same person, or maybe not) Let this be the example to secure your belongings before traversing! (I do realize the axe could have been dropped while in use as it did not have an option for a leash as some do, also an axe likely wasn't necessary...but who knows)

22413_02 22413_11

Little recap and tid bits : Capitol is a long day if you aren't a trail runner or ultra person, I highly recommend starting early from the lake once you make reservations to camp. SECURE your belongings on the ridge, I can't advise crocs, but if they put some vibram rubber on the bottom I would, the cushioning on this pair is decent and protects my feet well. I personally found it safer taking the ridge the whole way up (but that's me and I love exposed rock scrambling/climbing, would argue its more stable than the trail)

I would LOVE if I could find whoever the items I recovered belong to, the watch is locked out and while I'm happy to keep the axe I would find it more fun to return! So if you know who's they might be feel free to reach out, I'm located in Boulder. Be safe n have fun out there!!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

yaktoleft13	I love it! 10/17/2023 12:22pm As a fellow croc enthusiast, Ive halfheartedly thought about redoing the 14ers all in Crocs. Glad I'm not the only one out there!
DaveLanders	Ice axe and watch 10/17/2023 3:27pm You could post in the Lost and Found section of the forum.
greenonion	Watch out folks 10/19/2023 10:00pm Crocs on Cap worked for this dude, but
cottonmountaineering	nice! 10/22/2023 9:39am love the crocs
Trotter	His next report: 10/25/2023 4:12pm How I got injured and called SAR hiking in crocs
Gandalf69	Crocs! 12/23/2023 10:18pm I have hiking crocs which I've taken out many many times, even to Capitol, but only for the creek crossings, always changing shoes before k2. Were you inspired by Hannibal crossing the alps or something? I would have liked to seen you doing it without the socks, but perhaps still with the crocs? Just wondering if you considered it. I've known some people who do the barefoot running thing, seems crazy, but like you said, not for everybody.

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