Quandary West Ridge?
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emiller6
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Quandary West Ridge?
Has anyone been up this route lately? The beta would be much appreciated, looking at this for possibly Friday. Thanks in advance!
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robinbk
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
I got nothing for you, but I'd like to know the same thing. I'm hoping to hit it on Saturday. If you do it on Friday and get a chance to post conditions afterward, that would be great!
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Justin9
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
To get out of the basin and gain the ridge, you'll need an axe and crampons for about 100 yards. Once on the ridge, snow is mostly avoidable. I think there were 3 short areas where I had to cross snow and used only axe there. I was there last weekend. Pm if you want more info. Good luck, it's a fun one and when you get to the top everyone will wonder where you came from.
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emiller6
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
Thanks for the update on the trail conditions. Looks like real crappy weather on Friday (potential for rain/snow in the am), so I may have to bail on this route option. Hopefully the forecast changes for the better.
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robinbk
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
Justin9, thanks for the beta! I'll make sure we've got basic snow gear in the packs. Looks like Saturday should be nice.
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MitchellS
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
I was thinking about trying the West Ridge on Wednesday and would be really curious to hear about the conditions before I drive up!
Re: Quandary West Ridge?
bump. Any update would be much appreciated.
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MitchellS
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
I'm considering the West Ridge and possibly doubling with the Bierstadt-Sawtooth-Evans loop next Tuesday for a high quality day of class 3 hiking. If no one posts a report, I'll have one up after Tuesday.
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SikYou
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
That's a pretty long day. You're planning west ridge and then driving and doing sawtooth all in one day? I'm definitely looking forward to that trip report.MitchellS wrote:I'm considering the West Ridge and possibly doubling with the Bierstadt-Sawtooth-Evans loop next Tuesday for a high quality day of class 3 hiking. If no one posts a report, I'll have one up after Tuesday.
I'm slower than Scott P.
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MitchellS
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
I might try it the other way around, I'm not sure yet. West Ridge has a better bail out option than Bierstadt/Evans. It all depends on the weather honestly. If monsoon season kicks in, I'll have to call off the double.
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justiner
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
Once you gain the W Ridge on Quandary, there's no bailout options. Trying to bail out is how everyone gets in trouble on that route.
You gotta go up and over the summit and down the East Ridge, or back track. Back tracking is not a super fun option. Whatever you do, do not try to go down one of the gullies once on the ridge proper.
You gotta go up and over the summit and down the East Ridge, or back track. Back tracking is not a super fun option. Whatever you do, do not try to go down one of the gullies once on the ridge proper.
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NathanReitmeier
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Re: Quandary West Ridge?
MitchellS wrote:I'm considering the West Ridge and possibly doubling with the Bierstadt-Sawtooth-Evans loop next Tuesday for a high quality day of class 3 hiking. If no one posts a report, I'll have one up after Tuesday.
Mitchell, did you end up hiking the West Ridge? Do you think it still requires snow gear (crampons & axe) to make it?
