La Plata Peak Climber's Log

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Ratballs

Ratballs - Feb 22, 2005 4:13 pm

Route Climbed: from La Plata Gulch trailhead via Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July, 2002  Sucess!

(hmmm, Northwest Ridge? That doesn't seem right.... maybe I should take better notes.)



I went with M**** and H****, my two then-roomies. A good, easy trail up another Sawatch hump distinguished by its backwoods feel. Poor M**** was lost in emotional pain of a long-term relationship break-up on the way up, and poor H***** was lost in the physical pain of an old knee injury on the way down. Me, I was fine, although I had to ask the obnoxious ass-wipe ahead of us who was trying has damnedest to impress the woman he was climbing with to keep his voice down. He didn't take kindly to it. Twit.



Next time I'll go by myself and do the Ellingwood Ridge.

ColoradoScott

ColoradoScott - Feb 1, 2005 11:41 am

Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 11, 1991  Sucess!

I had tried this route a few years earlier but got "monsooned" off well below the summit at about 10:30 a.m.

hmronnow

hmronnow - Jan 24, 2005 5:24 am

Route Climbed: Northwest ridge Date Climbed: Jan 21 2005  Sucess!

Start 7am, summit 11:30, return 13:00. 6 hours, 1 candybar, no water.



Skinned from La Plata Gulch Trailhead to just above tree-line (much snow) climbed and followed ridge to summit (little snow). Strong wind, no clouds, beautifull view. Ski descent from 200ft below summit through 2 coulouirs on west-side. Too little snow above tree-line to create avalance danger.

bakcast

bakcast - Nov 17, 2004 10:10 pm

Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: Nov 99, Sept 2000

La Plata has turned me away twice, both times due to bad weather.

Natasha

Natasha - Oct 12, 2004 3:00 pm

Route Climbed: La Plata Peak Trail Date Climbed: October 10, 2004  Sucess!

Incredible day! Great weather (sunny, 30F at the summit, and no wind :), awesome views!

mr_g

mr_g - Oct 12, 2004 8:59 am

Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: September 30, 2000  Sucess!

Started from the North Winfield 4WD trailhead, and made quick time to the plateau. The weather held out, and we had very nice views of the Sawatch Range. This route seemed quicker than the standard route from the north - only 6.5 hours round trip.

Brad Snider

Brad Snider - Sep 21, 2004 9:47 pm

Route Climbed: Ellingwood Ridge Date Climbed: August 7, 2004  Sucess!

My 10th Fourteener. Had a great time on Ellingwood, but if I ever do that climb again I'll definitely start earlier in the morning (My friend and I started at 5:30 AM, but it took us ten hours to summit). Absolutely loved it!

Larry V

Larry V - Sep 12, 2004 6:32 pm

Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: July 1972  Sucess!

The weather was electrifying.

Matt Mahoney

Matt Mahoney - Aug 26, 2004 7:58 pm

Route Climbed: Ellingwood ridge Date Climbed: July 1, 2004  Sucess!

A long, challenging, seldom traveled route. I saw no trail, no cairns, and no footprints during my 5-6 hours on the ridge. photos.

RyanS

RyanS - Aug 16, 2004 5:26 pm

Route Climbed: Ellingwood Ridge Date Climbed: August 16, 2004  Sucess!

Ellingwood Ridge is sweet ! If you're looking for six hours of scrambling on a great ridge, this is it!

mtnhiker13

mtnhiker13 - Aug 16, 2004 9:40 am

Route Climbed: Winfield Trailhead Date Climbed: August 15, 2004  Sucess!

Well La Plata surprised me. After climbing Missouri, Emerald and Iowa the day before, I didn't think La Plata would be much fun but it was.



Weather was great, the hike through the basin was beautiful. The rocks on the mountain were fun - avoid the trail - it's scree and loose footing. Climb on the rocks and have fun! Very solid.



La Plata is everything a Sawatch Mountain should be.

Saintgrizzly

Saintgrizzly - Aug 10, 2004 1:37 pm

Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge, South Approach Date Climbed: Summer, 198? & 199?  Sucess!

Have done this mountain twice, which is surprising since for some reason I don't particularly care for the thing. First climb was memorable because the weather was so unbelievably warm, climbing partners Aaron Johnson and Mike Kloepfer took a two hour nap on the summit!

And got away with it...

Chris

Chris - Jul 26, 2004 5:06 pm

Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 26, 2004  Sucess!

Very nice day after a long spell of bad weather, the mountain gods were smiling. This is a beautiful hike up a scenic valley, and a great mountain.

DaveC

DaveC - May 20, 2004 9:58 pm

Route Climbed: from the south Date Climbed: june 99  Sucess!

I was sure I told Shon 2 nights of camping, so I had to talk him into it once we were there. Great view of Huron and the Apostles and Ice mtn from our camp on the less popular southern basin. steep bushwhack to get out of it, but oh well.

Ryan Kowalski

Ryan Kowalski - Apr 19, 2004 5:22 pm

Route Climbed: Ellingwood Ridge Date Climbed: September 27, 2003  Sucess!

Got a bit turned around in the early-morning dark but once on route had a blast. First half is pretty good rock, but quality deteriates as you go. This climb just sucks your energy out. Lots of up and down. But in the end, the sense of accomplishment and the incredible scrambling and scenery made it well worth it.

coloradoiceclimber

coloradoiceclimber - Apr 10, 2004 7:21 pm

Route Climbed: Ellingwood Ridge Date Climbed: August 18, 2002  Sucess!

CD, Mark, and I summited on my birthday! I had to climb the route after having climbed Elbert and not being able to tear my eyes away from the ridge! We gained the ridge very early (way North of the peak), which made for a very long day. Great clasic ridge climbing with as mush exposure as you want. Many of the obstacles can be avoined by dropping slightly below the ridge, but what fun is that! Also, if anyone tries to tell you that there is a trail that should be used to get you to the route, they are full of it.

RyanS

RyanS - Apr 8, 2004 1:54 pm

Route Climbed: Southwest Ridge Date Climbed: September 22, 2001  Sucess!

Labor Day brought a snowstorm in 2001, so we avoided the mountains for a few weeks before trying another few 14ers. La Plata Peak turned out to be an excellent choice because the aspens along the Clear Creek Road were peaking. The willows kind of suck in the valley, especially with non-waterproof boots, and the southwest ridge felt to us like it took forever to climb, but we had a great autumn day, nevertheless.

JonBradford

JonBradford - Mar 22, 2004 8:57 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: July 23, 2000  Sucess!

La Plata was one of my favorite Sawatch fourteeners (along with Mount of the Holy Cross and Huron Peak). It is a nice climb with asttounding views. The Ellingwood Ridge is dramatic from the north ridge.

Jon

xskier77

xskier77 - Feb 1, 2004 8:53 pm

Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: July 6,2003  Sucess!

Perfect day to climb a 14er. Gary, Dave and myself. With minimal stops on the way up we managed to summit this peak in under 4 hours. The summit was beautiful and it was fun to look down at the Ellingwood ridge which Gary and I attempted the previous year a little too late in the season. This year we may make another attempt to summit via the Ellingwood ridge.

reubenrr - Jan 22, 2004 11:35 pm

Route Climbed: Ellingwood Ridge Date Climbed: July 20, 2003  Sucess!

Picking our way along the trail-less ridge was slower going than expected. A fun and challenging route. Reaching the summit by this route leaves a feeling of accomplishment.

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