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"...
The weather warmed up fiercely here in Utah during the second week of April, absolutely ruining the skiing. The powder turned to mashed potatos and it was not freezing at night, hence, no corn.
From the CAIC I could see that south facing slopes in the Sawatch were pretty tame if you were off them early and I had a few targets picked out. By the time I got everything ready there was a storm on the horizon for Sunday which meant I was on a short time schedule. I elected to drive the 7+ hours and get as close to the Shavano/ Tabeguache Trail head as possible and spend the night. After passing the 250/252 junction,
I drove another .7 miles before hitting snow that I could not get passed.
This meant that I made it to the stream at 9000 feet and had an extra 2.6 mile hike each way.
The stream had running water but it was muddy. As I was "car camping" that was not important. I started the next day about 6 am. I walked the first mile in trail runners and then switched to skis and skins on the frozen snow. As the sun came up I could see it was a blue bird day.
Things went well on the frozen snow through the woods up to 11,100 ft. The trail was, of course, covered with snow but two guys (jeffth5) had been up the day before and their track was easy to follow. I was able to skin all the way to the summit on the rapidly softening snow. I met Nate from Boulder on top. We exchanged greetings, took some pictures and continued on our separate ways.
Nate was on his way to Tabeguache for a big day.
I headed back to the Angel for my ski run. I was probably an hour late skiing down but it went well down to 11,000 feet.
This was where things became very difficult. In the woods the snow was very soft and in many places unconsolidated. It meant post holing with the skis on (very difficult to get them out of the snow) and I went "over the handle bars" a couple of times when I tried to go faster. As tough as it was it did not take the luster off a spectacular spring ski day. I had covered 14 miles and 5500 vertical feet. I had done countless transitions between skinning, skiing and walking. I have come to realize that if I want to get out early in the season I am gong to have to walk farther, carry more stuff, travel will be slower (especially as things warm up) and there will be many more transitions. That's the deal.
After my 10 hour day I headed into Salida to my favorite restaurant, The Laughing Ladies, for a nice meal and a beer (maybe it was two?). It was time to decide what to do in the face of the rapidly approaching storm. With the insight that comes only after a couple of beers and a half bottle of wine, I decided to head to Alma and the South Slopes of Democrat.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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.