I recently earned my “C”-level hiker classification with the Colorado Mountain Club. To move higher on their classification scale (see CMC Hike Classifications) to the “D” level or become a trip leader I’d need to have a current first aid certification. My last Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course had been 6 years ago (the certification [...]
Archive for July, 2008
Wilderness First Aid
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Colorado Mountain Club, Wilderness First Aid on July 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Peak L
Posted in backpacking, climbing, tagged backpacking, climbing, Gore Range, Peak L, scrambling on July 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
There is probably no finer representative of the typical spike shaped high peaks of the Gore Range than “Peak L”. -Joseph D. Kramarsic, author of a Mountaineering in the Gore Range Lightening had been striking south of me when I left town for the drive to the Rock Creek trailhead. The weather was still unsettled [...]
Mosquito Grades
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged mosquitos on July 27, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Hikers and climbers have several ratings systems to describe the difficultly of routes. One of these is the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Descriptions of the YDS can be found here and here. I believe backcountry travelers also need a grading system to describe the nuisance level of mosquitoes. Class 1 Mosquitoes may be present, but [...]
Starlight Couloir
Posted in climbing, Uncategorized, tagged climbing, James Peak, Starlight Couloir on July 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I had ambitious plans for my Sunday which quickly died when I hoisted a too-heavy pack on tired legs. Out went the rappel rope and harness. Bancroft’s east ridge would have to wait for another day. For the second day in a row, I enjoyed sunrise from St Marys Glacier. Today I was enjoying this [...]
Tour de James
Posted in climbing, hiking, Lord of Pain, tagged climbing, hiking, James Peak, Mount Bancroft, Mount Eva, Parry Peak on July 20, 2008 | 2 Comments »
After Torrey got bit by another dog on a Friday morning run and Helen and I had to scrap our original plans, I responded to an internet posting looking for partners to join a loop hike of 4 peaks centered around James Peak. James is the focal point of a relatively new wilderness area and [...]
Apache Peak
Posted in climbing, hiking, Lord of Pain, tagged Apache Peak, climbing, Fair Glacier, hiking, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Queens Way Glacier on July 17, 2008 | 3 Comments »
After climbing North Arapaho Peak last month, I knew I’d soon be back to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. I decided to squeeze another snow climb into an already long snow season and attempt the long Fair Glacier/Queens Way loop on Apache Peak. Guidebook author Gerry Roach had this recommendation before attempting this loop: “get in [...]
Oxford, Belford, Missouri
Posted in backpacking, Colorado 14ers, hiking, Lord of Pain, tagged backpacking, Colorado 14ers, hiking, Missouri Mountain, Mount Belford, Mount Oxford on July 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Helen and I began another weekend at the Pine Creek Trailhead with the goal of hiking up some more of the Sawatch range 14ers. To reach the national forest land we had to cross a private ranch which asked for an access fee of $1 for Helen and I. Torrey was twice as expensive. Clouds [...]
Grays and Torreys
Posted in Colorado 14ers, hiking, tagged Colorado 14ers, Grays Peak, hiking, Torreys Peak on July 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Our Mount Princeton hike didn’t tire out my dad too much so I was able to enjoy another 14er hike with him and Helen. Torrey’s paws were sensitive after our last two days, so she earned a rest day. With a shorter drive from Breckenridge to Stevens Gulch than yesterday’s hike, we were able to [...]
Mount Princeton
Posted in Colorado 14ers, hiking, tagged Colorado 14ers, hiking, Mount Princeton on July 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Both my father and I had long wanted to climb Mount Princeton. The mountain rises from the Arkansas River valley with a commanding presence as you drive south on 285. It’s central summit is flanked by two equal ridges lending stature to the peak. I remember wanting to climb it the first time I saw [...]
Mount of the Holy Cross
Posted in backpacking, climbing, Colorado 14ers, hiking, tagged backpacking, climbing, Colorado 14ers, hiking, Mount of the Holy Cross on July 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Helen and I escaped Denver and joined the mad holiday rush to the mountains on Thursday evening. After dodging auto accidents and stopping for dinner we reached the Half Moon trailhead and started hiking about 7pm. The mosquitoes were relentless as we climbed up towards Half Moon Pass. From the pass we watched the sun [...]
