Wetterhorn/UNC Bivy

[lcjackson]

I've looked through dozens of trip reports and forum posts but haven't found the answer to this particular question:
Has anyone had any trouble with animals (marmots/porcupines) while camping above treeline in the tundra between Wetterhorn and Uncompahgre?
The plan is to hike in this evening (maybe climb Matterhorn if time allows) and bivy around 12,500 somewhere between Matterhorn and UNC, then climb UNC and Wetterhorn Saturday morning.
I'm well aware that people have done this combo before and camped above treeline, but with tents. Should I be aware of anything if I just plan to bivy in the open, more or less unprotected? Bears? Marmots? Spiders? Sheep? Thanks in advance

[XterraRob]

I mean it's nature lol, you're going to have some manner of its inhabitants in or around your gear. Just keep food or anything with a scent away from your stash and you should be fine. Make sure you bring Grizzly Bear repellent though.

[gzrrnnr]

Not sure when you are going to W and U, but all three peaks can be done in one long day from the W TH.

[Somewhat of a Prick]

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... m=tripmine

[Phill the Thrill]

As long as the weather cooperates, you shouldn't have any troubles at all. There are several places to camp/bivy in the trees right at treeline. We set up tents there and then the next morning climbed Uncompahgre first, then Wetterhorn on the return, and back to camp by early afternoon. It's still one of my favorite routes.

Edit: Personally I'd bivy right at treeline. Further up where you indicated it is completely uncovered. It's no more than 20-30 min to cover that distance first thing in the a.m.

[Curve]

I did the loop last year, it is awesome. I had no troubles with any animals at all, although I wasn't in a bivy. However, most of the markets were higher up on the mountains then where you are planning to camp. I found the majority of them to be far above the valley floor.

Nevertheless, those little buggers are ferocious down there. They are by far the most courageous of any I've faced. They'll come right up to You, so watch out!

[JColk]

This weekend a group of friends and myself are planning on tackling Uncompahgre, heading out of Denver at 5pm on Saturday with the idea of Summitting Sunday and leaving Monday open as a bad weather alternative!

I was wondering if folks have input as to if it is better to try and camp at Matterhorn TH or at the Nellie Creek TH. We are planning on grabbing UNC and then potentially grabbing Matterhorn depending on weather, time and the energy levels of my teammates. We don't mind doing the loop from either direction, but I wanted to see if the community felt about camping near either of these two trailheads, comparison-wise.