I'm back in CO again testing my limits as I continue my Achilles recovery, which seems to be going really well aside from the 40lb weight gain that has slowed me down some. I attempted east thorne last September and made it pretty far but couldn't cut it with my level of acclimatization and fitness. I was also a little unsure about my climbing skills after the long break. If I wasn't solo I'd probably have been less skittish and might have made it.
This time I'm better acclimatized and better prepared. I got into town last Sunday night, solo'd the freeway (5.0 700') on Monday, hiked up to the Polar Star hut (class 1 10k -> 11k) on Tuesday, and tagged New York Mountain (class 2 11k -> 12.5k) on Thursday; and none of that managed to put my feet, lungs, or nerves out of commission. Now I'm resting up till sunday for the big event. I'd love to tag east thorne and then traverse to silverthorne and maybe further. And I'd love a capable partner to bolster my confidence some and swap stories.
I feel good about my chances but FTR I'll probably slow a partner down, if they're comfortable going solo I won't be offended if they dust me.
I'm staying in Silverthorne and have an Uber scheduled to drop me at the willow lakes TH by 5:15am Sunday. I don't have a vehicle to pick someone up but if you can get yourself to The Block hostel we can share the uber (:
An alltrails report from 4 days ago from someone who didn't quite make it does seem to show the snow might not get in the way that much. But it could still turn me around, and the wind looks sketchy on the forecast but at least there's no rain. I hope to start the east ridge early by salmon lakes but may opt to take the saddle near willow lakes that I managed to acquire last year before bailing; the alltrails reporter also made it to the saddle and further by that route. Some reports from folks going for salmon lake itself complained about snow. Lots of sun is in store from now till then though!
Partner for East Thorne or so Sunday June 22
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Re: Partner for East Thorne or so Sunday June 22
I wish I could go with you. Good Luck Dude!
Never been up that way. The Zodiac Spires will be right on top of you as you make your way in there from Willow Lakes. Get some good pictures of those. Not familiar with the east side, just the westside from Gore Creek.
Does Willow Lakes TH have a parking lot?
Never been up that way. The Zodiac Spires will be right on top of you as you make your way in there from Willow Lakes. Get some good pictures of those. Not familiar with the east side, just the westside from Gore Creek.
Does Willow Lakes TH have a parking lot?
Ragin Cajun
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Re: Partner for East Thorne or so Sunday June 22
There is parking right there although it supposedly fills up quick, in September I showed up kinda late in the morning and snagged one but I'm not sure if I beat the rush or it had already come and gone (:boudreaux wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 9:18 pm Never been up that way. The Zodiac Spires will be right on top of you as you make your way in there from Willow Lakes. Get some good pictures of those. Not familiar with the east side, just the westside from Gore Creek.
Does Willow Lakes TH have a parking lot?
The zodiacs look incredible, I hope to wind up on them one of these days but I'd better prove a few more things to myself first, they look legit!