Posts Tagged ‘RMNP’

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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.

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Mountaineering – Longs Peak (14,255 ft) via the Keyhole

Friday, March 14th, 2014

Slava on Longs Peak Summit
Slava on Summit of Longs Peak

Super Psyched on Longs Peak
Climbergirl Conquers Longs Peak

Longs Peak and the Keyhole from Boulderfield
Our Destination, From the Boulderfield

On Friday, Slava and I took advantage of the clear weather and climbed Longs Peak. Originally, our plan was to climb Mt. Lady Washington, but since the weather was gorgeous and we were making excellent time, we decided to go for the summit of Longs Peak instead.

We ascended the ever popular Keyhole Route. It was my first time climbing Longs Peak, so I was excited to do this route in winter when there would be no crowds. Additionally, the element of snow and ice made the route more challenging and I enjoyed the added technicality of climbing with crampons.

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Ice Climbing – Loch Vale, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Sunday, March 9th, 2014

Loch Vale Ice Climbers
On Sunday, I went ice climbing with Doug, Rick, and Slava. It was a gorgeous day at Loch Vale, in Rocky Mountain National Park. We were treated to perfect ice climbing conditions. It was my third ice climbing trip and, by far, the most fun!

In the Loch Vale Ice Cave
In the ice cave!
Photo Courtesy: Rick Casey

Loch Vale has a nice 30-40 minute approach and a variety of moderate climbs. My favorite thing about Loch Vale was the naturally formed ice cave, which sheltered us from the wind.

Clare Ice Climbing at Loch Vale
Climbergirl on Ice!
Photo Courtesy: Rick Casey

We climbed there for about 4 hours. When everybody had a good forearm pump, we called it a day.

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Ice Climbing – Jewel Lake, RMNP

Sunday, January 12th, 2014

At the Top of My First Ice Climb
Ice Climbing Above Jewel Lake, RMNP
(Thanks to Josh B. for the great picture!)

Last year, I had so much fun climbing the Skywalker Couloir on Arapaho Peak, it made me want to do more snow climbs this winter/spring. In order to feel more confident on my crampons and improve on the steep sections, I thought I’d take an ice climbing class.

I admit, it may be a bit overkill, but if I’m climbing a steep couloir and encounter a band of ice, I will know how to climb it! Being prepared, and understanding the concepts of steep ice, will give me the knowledge to better handle the risks. At least I will know what I don’t know!

Here I Go - My First Ice Climb

Thanks to Kent Crites, of the Boulder CMC, for teaching ice climbing and to the assistant instructors Melissa, Doug, and James for volunteering and helping us newbies!

Mills Lake in Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park
Doug O. took this fantastic panorama of Mills Lake!

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Mountaineering – Hagues Peak and Mummy Mountain, RMNP

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

Climbergirl on Summit of Mummy Mountain
Summit of Mummy Mountain (13,425 ft)

Climbergirl on High Point of Laramie County
Summit of Hagues Peak (13,560 ft)

On Saturday, I joined Linda, Tom, and Georgia in a peak bagging adventure, involving two 13’ers in a remote corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. The main crux with these peaks is the weather. How would we fair if confronted with afternoon storms, so far from the trailhead?

Hagues Peak and Mummy Mountain Topo
Topo Map of My Route

The highpoint of Larimer County, Hagues Peak, is a remote peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, requiring a strenuous, yet scenic hike, from the Lawn Lake Trail Head. While I was there, I figured I’d go for Mummy Mountain too. Mummy Mountain is the 8th highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it is too short to make even the Tri-Centennial list (top 300 highest peaks in the state of CO).

Hagues Peak and Mummy Mountain Elevation Profile
From the elevation profile, above, you can see how bagging these two peaks in a day is a challenge! It’s just over 18 miles round trip with 6,200 ft of gain, to climb both peaks.

I was prepared to meet the challenge, but what about Tom, Linda, and Georgia?

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