Started at 5:15 AM and summited 10 hrs later. I was with a group of 11 first time climbers and was able to teach them the basics of ice ax and crampon use. It was a great place for learning with great snow conditions. There was about a foot of new snow above Pikers peak and the summit was covered in rime ice. Arrived back at the car at 8:30 PM. It was a great day.
Left Cold Springs Campground at 5:15 a.m.. Made the Lunch Counter by 9:30 a.m. Felt a little tired, so I rested for 30 minutes, melted some bug-infested snow and ate some peanut butter and crackers. Launched up the South Spur and realized there was no need for crampons and ice-axe. I was getting good snow purchase as it was softening. Dropped pack at Piker's Peak and made the summit by noon. Only one on the summit at the time. Felt Great!! Tremendous glissading adventure down the Spur. Got some good wilderness navigation practice on the way back down to Trail #183.
Wasn't hot. No walled rock shelters anywhere, just camped
in the snow at Timberline. Why would anybody want to pack
overnite gear up to the Lunch Counter? Please allow three
days if at all possible. Bring goggles in case the winds
come up. The weather can change in an instant. (If you
go in early season, you can glissade halfway down the mountain.)
It was extremely hot today. I brought just under two gallons of water and nearly drank it all. I don't know why anyone would want to lug up all the overnight gear for this non-technical route unless they just enjoy overnight trips. Early starts are key.
The wind turned this otherwise tame route into a real challenge. I tried to wait it out (nearly couldn't find my tent in the dusk later because of it) but ended up plunging ahead into a lenticular cloud from Pikers Peak.
Great Route for Beginning Snow Climbers Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2001
From the mellow approach, to the great campsites on the shoulder, to the opportunity to kick your first steps on the South Spur Headwall, I'm not sure there's a better place to practice the basics of snow climbing.