iwlclmeverest - Mar 11, 2006 5:30 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2006
Cold and Windy
My friends and I wanted to get in shape for our trip to the Cordillera de Blanca this summer. What better route to attempt than Kelso Ridge in the winter. Day started out at 3 a.m, usual for a winter accent. The hike up the trail was bitteraly cold, temps forcasted to hit about -1F with a low of -20F and 40mph winds. The weather was just that, or worse. We had to reatreat at about 13,400 feet due to the wind and cold temps. My friend had to take his goggles off due to the fog accumulating on the inside. In the few seconds his goggles were off, his eyes froze shut and we had to warm them back up to open them. After an exciting decent of Torrey's east face, we made it to the bottom. My friends and I made it out safely with only a little bit of frost nip on the cheeks. Goes to show Colorado mountains are still wild and cold. It was an exciting day with a lot of cool climbing, guess I will have to try it again.
iwlclmeverest - Mar 11, 2006 5:30 pm Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2006
Cold and WindyMy friends and I wanted to get in shape for our trip to the Cordillera de Blanca this summer. What better route to attempt than Kelso Ridge in the winter. Day started out at 3 a.m, usual for a winter accent. The hike up the trail was bitteraly cold, temps forcasted to hit about -1F with a low of -20F and 40mph winds. The weather was just that, or worse. We had to reatreat at about 13,400 feet due to the wind and cold temps. My friend had to take his goggles off due to the fog accumulating on the inside. In the few seconds his goggles were off, his eyes froze shut and we had to warm them back up to open them. After an exciting decent of Torrey's east face, we made it to the bottom. My friends and I made it out safely with only a little bit of frost nip on the cheeks. Goes to show Colorado mountains are still wild and cold. It was an exciting day with a lot of cool climbing, guess I will have to try it again.