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"...
What a difference a day makes. After reading wreave's report I'm sure glad we did this on Saturday. We hit the trail just before 7 a.m. and with a pretty leisurely pace were at the top in 3 hours 50 minutes.
The view from the beginning of the trail is great. This picture doesn't do it justice, too washed out. Walking up this valley is reasonably easy and beautiful. You will see some boulders the size of a small cabin and can only imagine what it would have sounded like when they came crashing down from the faces they calved from.
This view is just above tree line looking back down the valley.
This is the view in the other direction, looking at Blanca and Ellingwood which are in view for much of the journey.
This is the basin you enter above tree line. Very nice.
From the saddle (about 13,100) between the Iron Nipple and Lindsey, the gully on Lindsey's north face looks somewhat daunting. My companion offered me a trick he had picked up...something to do with the way your eyes work, making slopes look steeper than they really are. Tilt your head to the side he said. Well okay, I guess it did look a little less steep but it's hard to walk that way so I straightened up and marched on. As is often the case, once you are in the gully it really isn't that bad, just very loosem crushed stone and various sizes of rock to slip and slide on. True to what other posters here have said, if you stay to either side (right seems better) of the gully you can find plenty of hand holds and steps on the hard rock to make this a little easier (and safer for those below you) to negotiate.
Here are views both up and down the gully. The good news is that on the way down, once you are out of this section the rest of the hike, aside from a short boulder field, is really pretty easy and immensely enjoyable.
A closer view of Lindsey's north face and the gully. The ridge route sounded a little beyond my comfort level and one, descending, helmeted climber that who had done it said he wouldn't try it without a helmet.
A view of the Iron Nipple. Would liked to have climbed this as well but we were short on time.
Blanca and Ellingwood from the top of Lindsey.
A view of Lindsey's riidge as we start down. As you go up you reach a false summit, then it's only a few minutes across this ridge and it's a great walk! Excellent views as you look down both sides of Lindsey's flanks.
On the way out we were treated to a small herd of big horn sheep.
You follow the Heurfano River for a good deal of this hike which is another great feature of this trip. Even if you decided not to do the steep, final 2,000 feet or so of this hike, just walking up to the basin would be a good day. Plenty to see, rugged buttresses all around and endless photo opportunities. Not to mention the fact this peak, even on a Saturday wasn't very crowded. We were 9 and 10th people to summit that day and had the peak all to ourselves. Check the trailhead reports...the last six miles of the road up there can take 30 minutes or more, depending on just how much you want to beat up your vehicle.
Excelsior!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Saturday was definitely the better day 9/2/2008 3:00pm
Looks like you had a much more pleasant climb than I did. Also, I‘d echo the comment from the climber you met that a helmet for the NW ridge is a very good idea.
On the other hand, I heard stories about rocks bouncing down the gully from climbers above that would make me wear my helmet on that part, too!
Excellent report, it is especially handy since this is probably going to be our first peak next summer. Love the pics, can‘t wait to give this peak a try.
Yes, this is a great hike. If you go early that river may be really rockin‘ from snow melt but if you‘re planning on mid-summer I wouldn‘t think it would present any challenge.
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.