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Trying to repeat our success from last weeks Wetterhorn sunrise summit, Tom and I left the front range at 8:30 going to the Elks!
We drove to marble and to the Crystal Trailhead, here the 4x4 road really starts to test you. The road to the Geneva Lake TH is not that rough up the lead king basin but it is lenghty. You climb high up and then sadly drop back down to 9700 ft.
Here we are on the road before it drops back down to the TH.
A western view of the Bells.
After Hiking up into the basin we chose camp 3 above Geneva lake, Tom took a sun nap lol.
Snowmass Mt reflecting in Geneva lake.
We ate and with the help of a couple of Coors, I passed out even before the sun set. You would think that a 3am wake up time would be easily attainable, however I hit the snooze untill about 5am.
The sun rising behind Snowmass.
Dawn deer below the western face and S ridge.
We like many other parties aimed for the Green ledge to enter the face, the hardest parts of the climb were right above here and near the summit.
A marrmot joined us among the broken talus.
Heres Tom assesing the remainder of the climb to the summit ridge, the face is fairly easy to climb with only mild exsposure. However it can be miserable trying to find solid footing, even large rocks move so be careful and wear your helmet.
Tom with the sun peeking over the ridge.
Capitol Peak!
Tom Snowmass Summit block!
Jesse Snowmass Summit block!
We decided to check out North Snowmass, it was an amazing sub summit well worth the short scramble. Super exposed on 3 sides and very small astoundingly airy.
Tom assesing the ridge towards Capitol.
Me stealing some nightmare fodder.
This small block leading to the N ridge makes even the most stern heart race.
Wow the exposure is thrilling, but with no wind it was ok.
After a long painfull descent down the dirt patches that adorn the west face route we were happy to be back amongst the wildflowers.
They were everywhere.
A parting view of the Bells.
This climb is much longer than we had anticipated, the 4x4 road takes forever and although the summit of both Snowmasses are amazing pearches this route tests your resolve. I would like to come back and do the S ridge in the hopes that it would be more solid, but truthfully the descent down the west face was the worst part of the climb. Another one checked off, it was a great day. After racing back to Denver we arrived back at 8:30pm, from the 5:30am start time.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
for the timely report and beta. I am really looking forward to this climb as my finisher this weekend. Looks like you guys had a great climb. Thanks for the great report in perfect time.
Kirk
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