Log In 
Peak(s):  Pigeon Peak  -  13,977 feet
Jupiter Mountain  -  13,838 feet
Grizzly Peak  -  13,700 feet
Animas Mountain  -  13,789 feet
Peak Fifteen  -  13,671 feet
Monitor Peak  -  13,707 feet
Turret Peak  -  13,837 feet
Peak Twelve  -  13,119 feet
McCauley Peak  -  13,555 feet
Peak Thirteen  -  13,725 feet
Date Posted:  09/19/2012
Modified:  12/08/2015
Date Climbed:   09/01/2012
Author:  benners
Additional Members:   Matt, lordhelmut, mtnfiend, Timmay_37, markjfun, Zambo
 Laboring in the Weminuche: Ruby to Chicago 13ers   


The monarchs of Ruby Basin: Peaks Sixteen, Fifteen, Turret and Pigeon (L to R), taken from Peak Twelve, September 3rd. Photo by Brian.

Partners in Crime:

Brian (lordhelmut)
Matt (Matt)
Rick (mtnfiend)
David (Zambo)
Ben (benners)
Mark and Tim (markjfun and Timmay_37)

The Fruits of our Labor (climbed by):

Pigeon Peak/Turret Peak A (All)
Monitor Peak/Peak Thirteen/Animas Mountain (Ben, David, Rick)
Peak Twelve (All)
Peak Fifteen (Ben, Brian)
Jupiter Mountain (Ben, Brian, Mark, Matt, Tim)
Grizzly Peak C (Ben)
McCauley Peak (Ben, Brian)

TR here:

http://exploringtherockies.com/2012/09/01/laboring-in-the-weminuche-ruby-to-chicago-13ers/



Comments or Questions
Zambo
User
Stress Free!
9/20/2012 4:20am
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 trip guys, and awesome report Benny!


Marmot72
User
Sweeeet!
9/20/2012 5:12am
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!


lordhelmut
User
Good times
9/20/2012 6:08am
The Weminuche delivers again, and hopefully for many years to come. Nice way to tell the tale Ben.

Don't forget about people in Montrose and their preferred mode of transportation when frequenting Denny's



Also, after 6 days in the woods, its been determined that Braveheart is the worst edited film in Hollywood.


geojed
User
Pretty amazing!
9/20/2012 1:07pm
what an awesome trip. Great photos!


AndYouSeeMe
User
Damn!
9/20/2012 2:44pm
Now that looks like an unbelievable adventure. Glad to see the weather cooperated and that everyone achieved their goals!

Well done.


Floyd
User
If Only...
9/20/2012 3:00pm
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'.


Presto
User
Awesome!
9/20/2012 3:37pm
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!


Matt
User
Stellar TR, Worth the Wait
9/20/2012 3:39pm
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.


jbchalk
User
Pretty awesome shenanigans, Ben!
9/20/2012 3:59pm
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!

Brandon


Chicago Transplant
User
Great Trip
9/20/2012 6:05pm
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.


Rainier_Wolfcastle
User
Many thanks!
9/20/2012 6:47pm
Thank you for the entertainment and the great beta I can use for my trip to Ruby next year...certainly need to keep it stress free!


Furthermore
User
The Weminuche
9/20/2012 7:12pm
is such an amazing place.


uwe
Sweet!
9/20/2012 8:35pm
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.

Does Denny sell feed? Who picks up the poop?


TomPierce
Wow, excellent!
9/20/2012 11:31pm
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


d_baker
Report of the Week!
9/21/2012 1:24am
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!


mtnfiend
User
Fun weekend indeed!!
9/21/2012 1:43am
All I can say is that must have been one healthy goat.....

Excellent report Ben, and thanks for the great weekend guys!!


EatinHardtack
User
Damn Fine!
9/21/2012 3:58pm
Yep that sums it up. Damn good tr and pics.


TheOtherIndian
User
Great TR
9/21/2012 6:16pm
Fantastic photos. Top notch!


Dancesatmoonrise
User
Very nice.
9/22/2012 5:41am
Great report, Ben. Sounds like a wonderful Fall trip in one of the most remarkable areas.

Beautiful photos, too.


Arizona Bill
Fine Trip and report.
9/23/2012 5:28am
Great job on so many peaks. Particularly Peak 15.


Ridge runner
User
Nice photoshop pic
9/24/2012 11:20pm
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.


Johnson
User
”Epic”
9/25/2012 2:17pm
Ben, sweet report about an even sweeter trip! Great to see you out there and to meet Lordhelmut finally.


benners
User
Thank you!
9/27/2012 8:05pm
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!

Cheers and thanks for reading,
benners


PattyCakes
GREAT TIMES
12/15/2012 6:21am
sick trip report!!! CAN'T WAIT TO FO THERE!!!



   Not registered?


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.