Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
| Report Type |
Full |
| Peak(s) |
Pacific Peak - 13950
|
| Date Posted |
12/07/2009 |
| Date Climbed |
12/05/2009 |
| Author |
JB99 |
| A Fall Day on Pacific‘s West Ridge |
The weather was supposed to be really nasty this weekend; like high of 15, winds 20-35mph gusting to 50, temps with windchill as low as -35 nasty. Sounded more like a day on Denali than a Fall day in Colorado. We were silly enough to still head out to attempt the west ridge on Pacific Peak. Cliff aka ascent88, his friend Dave and I planned to meet at 4AM at the Wooly Mammoth Park and Ride and on Friday evening Trevor aka centrifuge decided to join us as well.
The sun hiding behind Fletcher's ridge --Trevor
We got to the Mayflower Gulch trailhead a little later than we planned and set off into the still morning around 6:30AM. It was about 10 degrees but there was no wind. I used my headlamp for about 15 minutes but didn't really need to. We came to the turn off for Pacific and made our way into Mayflower Gulch just as the sun lit up our snow filled world.
Enjoying the view --Trevor
There was a great track all the way across the gully and once at the base of Atlantic's west ridge we stashed our snow shoes. Comically the only part of the day I might have used them was just around the corner. As we started toward Pacific's tempting ridge we hit the first questionable slopes of the day. CAIC had the avalanche danger for the area as low on most slopes but we still were cautious. One at a time we made our way across three or four of these sections.
Cliff making his way across the potential avy slopes --Jesse
Once passed here we had to cut across the basin to get to the ridge, where did I leave my snowshoes? It wasn't too bad and we were at the base of the ridge before too long.
Breaking trail across the basin --Trevor
Here we stashed the poles and had a little snack before starting up. The weather continued to be the complete opposite of what we'd expected. The predicted 50mph gusts of wind were making a liar out of the weatherman, much to our delight.
Approaching the base of the ridge --Trevor
Looking down on our route --Jesse
We made our way up the ridge, delicately hopping and climbing over the loose snow/ice covered rocks. Quickly we found not much was stable and had to be very careful not to send rocks flying down on each other. The scrambling was fun though and I was really enjoying climbing up something rather than hiking to it. I honestly hate walking in snow, with or without snowshoes. Post-holing is miserable; snowshoes are miserable; slipping around half post-holing is miserable; bleh. I just hate it. Contradictory to this I love snow climbs and being up above the trees while our Rockies are snow covered.
Looking across to Atlantic --Jesse
Whenever I am in the mountains and see something that looks climbable I imagine climbing up it. Pacific's west ridge is one that might just make you stop the car and climb it at first sight. It's begging for it.
Pacific's west ridge tempting you to climb it --Trevor
The start of the ridge --Jesse
Climbing up the ridge was pure bliss. Post-holing was replaced with mitten handed scrambling over ice covered rocks. Carefully placing the tips of my Nepal Evo's on small rock outcrops and delicate balance replaced the "drunken" snow walk through the basin. This was why I had put up with those other couple miles of walking; this is what I woke up at 2:30AM for. I think back to being in elementary school climbing around the playground.
Proof that Cliff really is human --Jesse
Dave, Trevor and Cliff coming up the ridge --Jesse
Trevor and Cliff climbing the ridge --Jesse
Eventually we were faced with a really unpleasant scree slope. At this point it was 11:30, Cliff's GPS had froze so we were unsure how high we were and how much further we needed to go and the wind that had been so pleasantly absent started in. All this combined with an uneasy feeling Trevor was having and we had reached our turn around for the day.
Looking down at Dave and Trevor at our turn around point --Jesse
I turned back without feeling defeated but immediately excited to return for the rest of this route. It was an aesthetic and fun ridge up to there and the approach was minimal. It has been awhile since I got a day in the mountains that really put that little kid smile on my face so this was a great reminder for me.
That little kid smile... --Trevor
Dave's got one too --Trevor
When we got back to the pole stash the wind had really set in. It was a natural exfoliation of sorts for any exposed skin. Albeit a painful one, sitting here a day later I must say my skin has never felt so refreshed after my usual bird poo facial; http://yourbeautyspot.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=605220.
Trevor the mountain ninja --Jesse
We made our way back without incident although the slopes that held the most avy danger felt a little more threatening than on the way in. No movement but as I made my way out across the last of them I wondered why I decided to be the first one across...
It was a beautiful Fall day in Colorado and more proof that you just can't let the weather forecast make a decision for you about going out.
Looking out toward Elbert and the Sawatch on the hike out --Trevor
|
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
