Archive for the ‘Mountaineering’ Category

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Ecuador Day 5 – Imbabura Summit Rim (14,764 ft)

Monday, November 24th, 2014

Imbabura Map
The Map

Rafael, Tilden, and our Perra
The Approach

Imbabura View in the Morning
The View

Clare Near Imbabura Summit
What I Thought Was the Summit!

Our next mountain, Imbabura, is the prominent mountain of Otavalo. According to Yossi Brain, “A large hill with a long walk up it, Imbabura is good for acclimatization and fitness.” I have to agree. The route we took ascended 3,905 ft and took us just over 4 hours to accomplish. At the time, I thought it was the summit, but later we figured out that we were on the summit ridge (since it’s a volcano, it’s not obvious if you’re in a cloud, to see the highpoint!). (more…)

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Ecuador Day 4 – Fuya Fuya (13,986 ft)

Sunday, November 23rd, 2014

Fuya Fuya Map
The Map

Fuya Fuya Trail Head
The Trail Head Signage

Mojanda Lake
Laguna Mojanda

Guide Rafael Testing Tilden's Vital Signs
Rafael Checks Tilden’s heart rate and blood oxygen saturation.

Clare on Fuya Fuya Summit
Banana on the summit!

It was our first day of acclimatization, so Rafael selected Fuya Fuya, which means Cloud Cloud. It is a 13er just about 45 minutes drive from Otavalo. It took us 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to the summit, from Lake Mojanda. This is excellent time as it’s ~1700 ft of gain. (more…)

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Mountaineering – Pt 13,811 and Pt 13,832 – San Juan Mountains, CO

Sunday, October 5th, 2014

Panorama From Williams Creek Trail
Lovely Fall Day in the San Juans!

Napping on Pt 13811
Time for a rest on the summit of Pt 13,811!

Clare in the San Juan Mountains
On my way to Pt 13,832 (Thanks to Frank for such an awesome picture!)

Frank on Pt 13832
Frank standing proud on Pt 13,832.

Pt 13811 and 13832 Topo Map with Waypoints
Our Route!

After my 20+ mile run, I took a rest day with Dennis in Leadville. We enjoyed a leisurely morning and used the dry sauna at the hotel. Then, we went to the Museum of Mining. Dennis used to work for MSHA and I really enjoy geology, so it was pretty fun.

Later in the day, we met up with Frank in Buena Vista. I hopped in Frank’s car and Dennis headed home. Frank and I then drove to the San Juans to join the 14ers Fall Gathering. We were excited to meet some other mountain enthusiasts and our goal was to climb “The Points” which are two centennial 13ers just outside of Lake City. (more…)

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Mountaineering – Little Bear (Attempt 2)

Saturday, September 27th, 2014

Mark in the Avenue of Aspens

On Saturday, I met up with Mark and we drove to Lake Como Road. Our destination was Little Bear; a much feared or admired (depending upon your perspective) 14er in the south end of the Sangre De Cristos. In a prior trip, I did not climb it because of bad weather, so I was hoping to get a good window this time.

Lake Como - Cold, Wet, and Windy

Unfortunately, on the way up to Lake Como, the skies opened up on Mark and I. We took shelter in the boughs of an evergreen and used a tarp to stay mostly dry. We waited for nearly an hour as hail, lightning, and thunder boomed. Finally, it let up long enough for us to make it to the lake.

(more…)

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Mountaineering – Little Matterhorn, Rocky Mountain National Park – A CMC Trip

Sunday, September 21st, 2014

CMC Climbers on Little Matterhorn
Left to Right: David, Jane, Phil, Rick (thumbs up!), Clare, Monika, and Tony (A new friend!)

Summit Cheers on Little Matterhorn

On Sunday, as part of the Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial Celebration, I led a Colorado Mountain Club Trip to climb Little Matterhorn. We were six intrepid hikers looking for a good scramble. Since Little Matterhorn is featured in Dave Cooper’s Colorado Scrambles book; I was excited for the challenge!

This year, the CMC is attempting to climb the 100 highest peaks within RMNP, over the course of RMNP’s 100th Anniversary. Thus, CMC trip leaders were encouraged to pick a peak (or several!). Along with Little Matterhorn, I picked Mt. Meeker and McHenrys Peak.

(more…)

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