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I left Boulder July 10th in my 1997 Jeep and headed south for 44 days of Bicentennial bagging. This specific trip was the third and final backpack into the glorious Weminuche wilderness. In all, I climbed 60 bicentennial 13ers and ten more peaks above 13k. I am still riding the wave of my summer dream and here is a glimpse into my mountain life, two weeks ago...
Molas Pass TH. Thirty-five pound pack with Tent, four days of food, kindle, camp shoes, essentials etc.
8-15-17 Tuesday: Leave Molas TH and backpack in to camp at Vestal Lake @ ~ 12,200ft. Set up base camp a few hundred feet North of the Lake on a grassy ledge. Take it easy today, read Chernow's "Alexander Hamilton" biography, drink green tea, and wolf Mac & Cheese.
250ft NW of Vestal Lake Vestal Lake House
8-16-17: Arrow and Trinity Trilogy
Starting up the main ramp to Arrow. Just below that snow patch (for reference) step right, and get on a smaller, more western ramp. Whammer shot. West Trinity Summit looking east to Trinity. Class 4 gully to attain Middle Trinity's upper slopes. Very Solid. Lake 12,396 and Peak 3 in distance. Looking back at West Trinity East Trinity from Middle Trinity, easier than it looks. (Loose, yes.) Look back at descent from Middle Trinity. The kind of day I live for. Traversing below Trinities back to Camp
8-17-17: Orbit of Balsam Lake: Storm King, Silex, The Guardian, Peak 7, Peak 6.
Silex from Storm King's SW ridge around 13k Final slopes up S.K. Wild Weminuche Storm King Summit Silex "Lake" Screeeeeeee traverse. S.K from Silex. F yea! S.K and Silex from The Guardian Atop the Guardian Vallecito Creek View Decending W by SW off the Guardian (Leviathan Creek down there) H20 Treatment time Peak 7 from the East Saw zero humans today. Peak 8 (Right) Balsam Lake from Peak 7 summit ridge Peak 6 as the snow flakes start to fall. Peak 7 - 6 Ridge. Dropped off 50-75 feet on the east (left) for sand and rock ledges to get around spires. Class 3 with expos Jagged is a snow magnet. Visibility dropping, headed for fifth bicentennial of today. Peak Six: Summit marmot stomping, an old Kelleher tradition. Shameful selfie. (I know) Passed through the Peak 5 - Peak 6 Saddle. Return to Vestal Basin. Balsam Lake. 11.4k. Up to 12.8 at Vestal - W. Trinity Saddle. I disengage and power up from Lake to Pass, out pacing the setting sun, if only for a little while.
8-18-17: Out across the open scree. Peak One and White Dome
Trinity Lake, over the pass at the upper (eastern) end of Vestal Basin Headed up Peak One Traverse to White Dome. Easy Class 2+ Look back at Grenadiers Descending Peak One. Surf's up! Peak 3 & Peak 4 Vestal Versions
8-19-17: Cheeseburger Day Dreams.
Porch View Climbers headed up.
I have a date with Maggie's in Ouray. A double date with cheese, and I swear I can see that delicious stack of beef, floating before my eyes like cartoon bait. I charge back up to Molas Pass from the Animas without stopping. Another one for the books, and I shall return to this dream-like quartzite world, sooner not later.
Scramble on.
-Rob
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Well-written Trip Report too. Thanks so much for posting the quality 13er route beta. Excellent work with reaching all those cool San Juan peaks. Way to go on a big outing. Information regarding these types of Colorado mountaineering lines is great having. Keep climbing safe, smart, and strong
Man - what a trip! Love the title, the write up and the pics (as always). You sure have been getting after it. Wow. But - Try as I might, I cannot find the climbers you refer to in your last picture. But then my eyes aren't what they used to be...
Thanks for putting this up. Can't wait for the next installment!
Thanks for all the great pics and descriptions. We plan on being up there next week, so the beta is very timely. Being out-of-shape, we won't hit nearly what you did, but I look forward to it all the same.
Congrats on a solid summer. I think I saw you on Monday evening, August 14. The lady and I staggered up into the Molas lot around 7:30 PM. I believe you were sorting gear. Sweet Weminuche ramble... Really enjoyed this TR.
Sure do wish I could get out there sometime... looks so amazing!! Great pics and excellent work!!
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