Columbia vs Quandary

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rgubenko
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Columbia vs Quandary

Post by rgubenko »

My first 14-er was Mt Columbia just about a month ago and all I can say is it was gnarly. I said I’m never doing this again. Well, I’m doing this again. Now that I’ve done my research, I’d like to do a class 1 so I’m going to do Quandary this weekend. The closer it gets, the more nervous I get, having memories of Columbia. Can anyone compare Columbia vs Quandary so I can feel better that Quandary should be easier?
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randalmartin
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Re: Columbia vs Quandary

Post by randalmartin »

Quandary is as easy as 14ers get. Quandary is much shorter (approx 7 miles RT and 3000 ft of elevation gain) A full trail the entire way, nothing loose or talus to walk through. Columbia was an awful peak a few years ago when I did it but CFI has done some significant improvements since then. There are definitely 14ers with much higher suck factor than Columbia.
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PJ88
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Re: Columbia vs Quandary

Post by PJ88 »

Just did Columbia last weekend. Cfi did great work on the initial switchbacks, but it’s still pretty crappy right before you hit the ridge. Quandary was my first 14er a few years ago so my memory is a little foggy. From what I remember there is no comparison. Quandary is a trail up a steady ridge. Piece of cake if you’ve done Columbia.
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rgubenko
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Re: Columbia vs Quandary

Post by rgubenko »

Yes, there’s been improvement from what I understand on Columbia. Person I was with mentioned how bad it was and showed me spots where it was improved. There are some steps out of stone that help, but still…the rocks by the summit! The last 300-400 ft, good lawd!!! And then the rocky gain, thinking about going down still gives me hibbie jibbies.
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rgubenko
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Re: Columbia vs Quandary

Post by rgubenko »

Thanks all for responses. I think I’m feeling better. What about at the top, is the scree field not bad closer to the summit in Quandary?
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randalmartin
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Re: Columbia vs Quandary

Post by randalmartin »

rgubenko wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 9:57 pm Thanks all for responses. I think I’m feeling better. What about at the top, is the scree field not bad closer to the summit in Quandary?
The top of Quandary isn't a scree field. It's a trail all the way to the top as image 15 in the route description shows. The final bit may have a part where rocks are beaten into a "Trail" but it's not like walking through a talus field.
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rgubenko
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Re: Columbia vs Quandary

Post by rgubenko »

Thanks! Makes me feel so much better!
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