First time climbing Mt. Bierstadt today. Arrived at 6:30am, and began climbing by 7am. Very crowded today, Labor Day holiday -- parking lot was packed and cars were parked along the road. Temperature was 41 degrees at the trailhead. When we were down in the willows, it was deceptive because we were protected from the wind, and the sun was hitting us, we thought it would have been warmer. But once we got out of the willows and we were completely exposed, the cold wind (gale force winds) was constantly blowing, we're guessing upwards of 35MPH. There was also frost on the wood planks through the marsh making them a little slippery and there was a lot of ice and mud on the trail before you got to the scree near the top. The conditions were so brutal, we almost turned around several times, but stayed the course and made it to the summit.
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