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I'm sure the TR had a whole lot more stress than the trip itself. But nonetheless, this one is epic my friend. Great work compiling so many moving pieces into this report. Hopefully the memories are well preserved now.
And to the other guys, thanks agin for getting out there. As Ben said, the Weminuche is an old friend that is always waiting and happy to see you - provided you put in the effort of course. The only thing that makes it better is the company you keep when going into it.
Great report - loved the photos and the good beta on some interesting peaks in the amazing Weminuche. My Labor Day outing was much shorter, but on 9/2,I found myself gazing southward over a fantastic panorama that included Pigeon, Turret, Sunlight and Jagged. I knew nothing of Peak 15 before this report. Thanks!
We could end every summer with a Weminuche excursion. Life would be very free of stress. Awesome trip Guys, performed in true style.
BTW, that was the same campsite that I had in Ruby 4 years ago. And that log in the creek... well that was the result of me trying to hang 30 pounds of food on a dead/leaning tree. Glad it is being put to good use. Thanks for the reference on Grizzly, that Columbine Lake area is simply amazing.
Ben... Have fun with the madness this weekend and it's time to clear your schedule the following weekend. There's a party a brewin'.
Wow, this really brings back some wonderful memories. Having taken many trips to the area, one time we did ascend Pigeon from our camp in the Ruby basin and descended down North Pigeon creek to intersect the Ruby Creek trail and hiked back up to our camp (an enjoyable circuitous route). Had a great time on the Animas/Peak 13/Monitor combo ... I remember the Man said that Peak 13 reminded him of a ”kitty litter maze”. We thought the traverse to Twin Thumbs Pass (we did it from No Name) was cool (didn't have a lot of beta at the time and were sort of flying by the seats of our pants if you know what I mean) ... that high small lake below Peak 12 would be a stellar campsite. We did do Grizzly from Hazel Lake ... interesting climb using a neat ramp ... I got accosted by a large mamma goat and her large son ... he was so close to me that I could hear him breathing through his nostrils trying to smell me (luckily for me, it was all caught on videotape by the Man in case I was attacked, so he could make lots of money on the subsequent video ). We did McCauley by mistake ... thought we were climbing Grizzly (this was before we actually took a trip up there and finally summitted Grizzly). Didn't have a map with us at the time, but were glad we got a ranked 13er nonetheless ... sometimes that just how it happens. Nice beer selection. Love the turd shot (the Man won a game of scrabble one time with that word). Great water sports there, Brian! Thanks for posting. Happy trails!
And certainly worthy of a phenomenal trip for each of us.
This one goes in the memory banks as one of the best ever.
Thanks for being part of my two best CO trips this summer, Ben.
Your last couple days make me wish I'd had more time off work, but Twin Thumbs with a full pack was tough enough after just Peak 12, let alone doing a monster like Peak 15. Props to you two. The vapor cave is a just reward. I miss that place.
BTW, I concur with Floyd. Clear your schedule, man.
Loved the TR! Your TRs are always a treat to read and I look forward to them all. I especially love your ”stress free approach” to the whole expedition. Its as it always should be. Good for you guys in making it a multi-day escape from work and all of life's ”stressful” obligations. Cheers!
Got up some of favorites in that area: Pigeon, the Animas Group, and Grizzly were all a lot of fun. The good news is I get to go back for 15 someday, and you can bet there will be some repeats involved. Definitely a basin worthy of repeat visits.
Great trip, guys. Congrats. Photos and beta excellent.
I plan on borrowing this in building my itinerary for some of my 2013 Centennial attempts, if that is ok.
Nice way to wrap up a summer.
Great report as always, Ben, really glad to see you're gettin' after it. Your photos brought back some memories, I spent a few days in Ruby with Steve G trying for Little Finger. I still need to get back there for Peak 15 and your report is a nice bundle of beta. Great job, hope all is well!
-Tom
Or maybe the month. The gapers can't even come close to touching this one....
Fine report Ben, well written and fantastic photos!
Congrats to everyone on the trip as well!
Thanks for the honorable mention. Furthermore's tr and Brian Shultz' tr helped us.
Your report will carry on the beta for others to use. Thanks for giving back!
Enjoyed your whole trip report. I completely agree with your comment about trying to make it a stress-free trip. I think that's part of the reason I now rarely venture down to Denver and sit in traffic friday nights fighting my way to the mountains, only to go through it again sunday evening. Congrats on making the trip stress-free, yet getting out on some challenging mountains. Peak 12 has to be one of my favorites still, perhaps because I took a nap on it.
There was one tricky 4th class move that I remember on Pigeon, but on our way down we met another guy who came up a different way and said it wasn't any harder than 2+. Somehow we missed that climbers trail, but the way we went was pretty fun.
I appreciate the comments from everyone. For those who've been into Ruby before me, thank you for the beta and for the inspiration, for those who haven't, I hope this report only adds to the existing beta and accurately represents the potential of the area. It is a sweet place!
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