New to the forum and 14ers!

[Breebee Profile 14er Peak List (1)]

Hello to all out there in cyber world! I just registered for this site, but have been a long time follower of reports and everything that goes on here! LOVE this website! So, my husband and I climbed our first 14er (Quandary) last summer. It was by far the most tiring thing I have EVER done, mentally and physically. Yet it was the most AMAZING thing I've ever done too, and need more!!
This year I have set my sights on a spring climb (March) of Sherman, a summer climb of La Plata, and hopefully an early fall hike of Blanca. Just wanted to introduce myself, and to get some input/tips on those mountains, esp. Blanca as it seems to be a tougher one than the others!

[Scott P Profile Website 14er Peak List (45) 13er Peak List (26)Trip Reports]

Welcome to 14ers!

[Breebee Profile 14er Peak List (1)]

Thank you so much!

[GeezerClimber Profile 14er Peak List (46) 13er Peak List (10)]

Blanca is a great mountain--one of my favorites. Backpack to the Como lake area and climb. If you are lucky, you'll have a perfect September day with views that extend forever. If you have leftover energy, take in Ellingwood. It's a bit tedious but the view of Blanca alone is worth the price of admission.

Dave

[kushrocks Profile Website 14er Peak List (57) 14ers in Winter (9)13er Peak List (7)Trip Reports]

Its always nice to see new friendly people introudce themselves. Welcome to the addiction that is 14ers.com.

[Duffus Kentucky Climber Profile 14er Peak List (31)]

The fourteeners community loves new climbers. Everyone of us had a first mountain to climb. It is nice that you want to do more!

[SilverLynx Profile Website 14er Peak List (35) 14ers in Winter (10)13er Peak List (8)Trip Reports]

Welcome to 14ers! Glad to hear you had such a positive first experience. Quandary is fun!

I haven't done Blanca yet, but I've done Ellingwood (right next to it) and I think you will really enjoy that area, around Lake Como. It's so beautiful. I love the Sangre de Cristos.

Sherman and La Plata are very nice (La Plata and Harvard are my favorite Sawatch Range 14ers), but I imagine you'll be doing more than 3 this year if you get the bug!

You will find that many people on 14ers.com will be happy to help you at any stage of your climbing career with any questions you might have. Again, welcome!

[Breebee Profile 14er Peak List (1)]

Geezerclimber- thats the plan, to camp out at the lake, it will be my first backpacking experience, so giving myself until Sept. to get the gear needed. Isnt Ellingwood quite a bit tougher? I was reading up on Blanca here a few weeks ago and I'm super excited but a bit intimidated by that last pitch.

Kushrocks-Thanks! It's great to be here, and addicted I am!!

Silverlynx- Thanks! How was Ellingwood? Yeah we wanted to try La Plata last summer but it just didnt happen with weather and such. But it looks beautiful and I cant wait to climb it!

[SurfNTurf Profile Website 14er Peak List (58) 14ers in Winter (23)13er Peak List (24)Trip Reports]

Welcome to the jungle.

In summer conditions, there's a trail almost all the way to the summit of Blanca. The last bit along the ridge requires only well-cairned talus hopping. You'll do great, especially with La Plata under your belt. The road-hike to Lake Como is a pain, though. Start early in the morning or late in the afternoon to mitigate the heat. Good luck!

[JTOlson26 Profile 14er Peak List (14)]

Welcome!

LaPlata was one of my favorites and I took a couple of my friends who had never hiked in Colorado before and they loved it as well. If I may suggest, consider the approach from the south (SW Ridge route). It is beautiful and a bit less crowded.

[SilverLynx Profile Website 14er Peak List (35) 14ers in Winter (10)13er Peak List (8)Trip Reports]

Silverlynx- Thanks! How was Ellingwood? Yeah we wanted to try La Plata last summer but it just didnt happen with weather and such. But it looks beautiful and I cant wait to climb it!

I climbed Ellingwood in late October with four other people. Despite being late in the season, the hike of the Lake Como road was very hot (as SurfNTurf mentioned). I remember sweating profusely, and I wished I had worn shorts. The Como Group appears to rise up out of the middle of a desert. The Como road is not really drivable unless you have a highly modified vehicle with 4WD, high clearance and a short wheelbase. You might see Jeeps taking people 4-wheeling on it, but that's pretty much it. Walking the road adds about 8 miles to your hike round trip, so I would advise doing the approach one day, then camping overnight at the lake, and then doing the summit and return the following day. I did not do the standard route on Ellingwood Point - we took the SW ridge, which was the hardest thing I'd ever done on a 14er - lots of scrambling over a fair amount of exposure. The standard route on Ellingwood (South Face) is nowhere near as difficult and I believe it's rated as Class 2 or 2+. There are some loose rocks all over the upper parts of Ellingwood and Blanca but the route is obvious and easy to follow.

When you get to the top of Ellingwood, you have impressive views of Blanca, Little Bear, Lindsey and the San Luis Valley. You should be able to see the Crestone Group in the distance as well.

[Breebee Profile 14er Peak List (1)]

Surfnturf--Thanks! Yeah that area can get hot during the day for sure. My mom is from Alamosa so we are familiar with that heat and wind that can kickup.

JTOlson26-is that the TH that is near Winfield ghost town?

Silverlynx-Yeah I figured early evening so we could get to the lake and set up and to bed at a decent hour. Ok I will have to check out Ellingwood, I'm intrigued now! Thanks!!