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"...
Starting elevation: 11,500
Start time: 6.30am
Summit: 9.00am
Back to camp: 11.30am
We started from camp at 11,500 from the Matterhorn TH. The day started with sunshine and clear skies. A picture of Wetterhorn.
The trail was pretty much free of snow till we got just below the saddle at 13,000. At that time in the morning the snow is hard and easy to walk on.
Once on the saddle you can see the ridge that goes up to Wetterhorn. I did not realized when I took this picture but it is taken exactly from the same spot as the one on Bill's route description
There was one more snow crossing at the ridge, as you can see from the previous picture. Also, you can see some hikers on the ridge.
Once passed the ridge the climb starts and the exposure gets more serious. This is a pic taken before getting to the Prow.
The trail is easy enough to follow as it is marked by cairns, this is a look back at the trail.
We went through the "V" notch mentioned in the route description (I did not take pictures on this one). After that, we took a route on the right side that was marked by cairns but then later realized that it was more exposed than the standard one. Anyway, we made it to the Prow, where there was a little bit of snow crossing.
Climbing through the notch...
More climbing after that, just before reaching the summit...
Looking down... (do not look! Just climb up...)
Finally at the summit. A view of Uncompahgre and Matterhorn.
And he wants to be in the picture as well.
We spent about 1 hour at the summit, it was so warm and nice that we did not want to hurry it. So, we started hiking down around 10am.
On the way down we took our time through the steep sections. But once we got to the snow the fun started. We glissade about 1,000 vertical feet, avoiding all those snow crossings with soft snow. It was so fun that I only had time to take one picture, but you can see my "tracks" on the snow. It took us only an hour and a half to get down to camp.
And back to camp before the storm came... You can see how the clouds were already forming up there. It was very warm in the morning but the temperatures dropped about 20 degrees by the time we got back to the parking lot.
Overall it was a very fun and enjoyable climb and one of our favorites. I highly recommend it!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I was on top of Redcloud on the 4th looking north toward Wetterhorn and thinking that it would be an absolute blast. Your report confirms it! I gotta get this one in this summer!
Thanks! Yeah - I guess I'm a photographer. Seems like I get more excited about photos than climbing lately, but the two certainly dovetail nicely! 8) Great seeing you up there!
wetterhorn was fantastic that day. Im one of the guys you explained glissade to. by the way the glissade was a lot of fun. thanks for the helpful hints.
Yes, nice to meet you too Garrett99! wasn't it fun the glissade? and so fast... and easy on the knees!
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.
