Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: November 22 & July 3, 2003
1st attempt: November 22, 2003: Dumb moves. My first winter acsent- only 2nd 14er ever. "We started the day in an all-out-snow-white-out.... couldn't see a thing, but it was calm & quiet, so we started thw ascent (4 of us). At approximately 200 feet from the top, negative 50 degree weather blew in, and my body began shutting down. I headed quickly into hypothermia and frost-bite of the hands, feet, nose, & other various splotches. I was lucky to get off the mountain alive- suffered 1st degree frostbite (no feeling for 2 months in my left toes, etc...). 2 of us made it back to the vehicle before dark, but the other 2 got lost in the willows, tramping around for an additional hour and a half. It was a rough day, but God decided that He could still use me in this world!:-) I WILL conquer it this summer!!!
July 3, 2003- "Yeah baby- I CONQUERED the mountain that almost conquered me back in November (read earlier entry). I felt great! Funny how truly easy this mountain really is when the weather cooperates with you!!!
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: July 7, 2004
Got off to an early morning start at 5:30 to avoid the crowds. Trail was very easy to follow up to the scree, then you could pretty much pick your own route to the top. Wind was chilly but bearable. On the way down I passed 62 hikers! More were still in the parking lot. Fairly easy hike using the west slope, the sawtooth definately looks like an interesting route to hike.
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: March 12, 2005
I wasn't feeling well and was really dragging. After arriving at the trailhead after 11 PM and after a mostly sleepless night, Brandon, Jon Bradford and myself started at 4:30 for the summit (waking up at 3:30). Postholing the willows were pretty nasty because we missed the correct route in the dark (I found it on the return). Brandon and Jon completed the Sawtooth; I did not and turned back. That was a good thing because it took them 14 hours and I was moving slower than them.
On the plus side, the weather was great, and the summit view from Bierstadt was pretty impressive and a pleasent surprise. For some reason I thought Beirstadt would be just a pile of rocks like Bross or Elbert. There are actually quite a few rugged crags around making an impressive view.
Route Climbed: West Slope, then Sawtooth Traverse Date Climbed: March 12, 2005
Windy on the west slope. Sawtooth was a blast! Summitted w/ SP members Brandon and Scott Patterson. --14 hour climb, including Bierstadt and Evans (aided by the stupid willows).
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass and Sawtooth Date Climbed: August 11, 2004
This was my first 14er and it was a great hike. The air took a little getting used to for an Ohioian, but was fine. We hike Guanella Pass and then crossed Sawtooth Ridge. Then wandered through the swamp till we reached the Guanella Pass trail again. Great mountain for your first 14er!
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: May 2003
A fun day hike, lots of people heading up there! Was a good social climb. Overhanging snow cornice on the south ridge near the summit was really neat! Will be back for the Sawtooth someday!
Route Climbed: West Slopes Date Climbed: January 22, 2005
Absolutely Perfect Day! This is my 3rd summit of Bierstadt, but my first winter ascent of a 14er. I picked the right day, no wind and temps in the mid 20's. Neve made the climbing easy with snowshoes. I sat on the summit for 30 minutes taking in the clearest air I have ever seen in Colorado. Pikes peak looked like it was right next door, and I could easily make out the Sangre De Cristo's!
Route Climbed: West Slopes Date Climbed: July 9, 1983
This was my first 14er after moving to CO in January 1983, and fifth overall. I did it with the CMC and have climbed it again in 1994 with my wife and two dogs and other friends. It's a great mountain, but is very crowded on the weekends now. The trail has improved over the years too, so the willows aren't as horrendous as they once were...thank you 14ers Initiative and all the trail building volunteers.
This winter ascent was my first fourteener! The snowshoe slog through the willows was a bit arduous, but once we made it past the lip it was an awesome climb! The wind was crazy through the saddle, but the peak was calm. Good times! P.S. the closest approach was from Duck Lake due to Guenella Pass' closure.
Route Climbed: West Slope and Sawtooth ridge. Date Climbed: July 2000, June 2001
Sawtooth ridge was great fun, but my favorite climb of Bierstadt was with my 59 year-old mother on the West Slopes....one year after her full knee-relpacement and her first 14er.
ktiffany22 - May 15, 2005 10:13 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: November 22 & July 3, 20031st attempt: November 22, 2003: Dumb moves. My first winter acsent- only 2nd 14er ever. "We started the day in an all-out-snow-white-out.... couldn't see a thing, but it was calm & quiet, so we started thw ascent (4 of us). At approximately 200 feet from the top, negative 50 degree weather blew in, and my body began shutting down. I headed quickly into hypothermia and frost-bite of the hands, feet, nose, & other various splotches. I was lucky to get off the mountain alive- suffered 1st degree frostbite (no feeling for 2 months in my left toes, etc...). 2 of us made it back to the vehicle before dark, but the other 2 got lost in the willows, tramping around for an additional hour and a half. It was a rough day, but God decided that He could still use me in this world!:-) I WILL conquer it this summer!!!
July 3, 2003- "Yeah baby- I CONQUERED the mountain that almost conquered me back in November (read earlier entry). I felt great! Funny how truly easy this mountain really is when the weather cooperates with you!!!
Kojones - Apr 24, 2005 4:09 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass TH Date Climbed: April 22, 2005Great Weather! Snow very deep made for a horrible hike back without snowshoes. I wish you great climbing!
Brian Kalet - Apr 8, 2005 1:21 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: July 11, 2004Continued on to Evans via Sawtooth.
coloradoattorney - Apr 5, 2005 12:18 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 7/4/02Nice Walk. Bring Water and Rain Gear. You never know.
easleygone - Apr 4, 2005 11:17 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: Aug 1990I was another victum of the infamous "willows". What
a nightmare! Otherwise a pretty uneventful climb.
James C - Apr 4, 2005 7:24 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: February 18, 2005Great climb for winter. We had to pick our own line thru the willows. Summit has nice view of the Sawtooth and Evans
edlins - Mar 21, 2005 3:04 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: December 5th, 2005Cold and windy early December climb!
altitude14er - Mar 20, 2005 7:09 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope from Guenalla Pass Date Climbed: 06/14/2003Good snow conditions existed by Mid-June
kylerlott - Mar 15, 2005 9:22 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: July 7, 2004Got off to an early morning start at 5:30 to avoid the crowds. Trail was very easy to follow up to the scree, then you could pretty much pick your own route to the top. Wind was chilly but bearable. On the way down I passed 62 hikers! More were still in the parking lot. Fairly easy hike using the west slope, the sawtooth definately looks like an interesting route to hike.
brandon - Mar 14, 2005 10:16 pm
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: March 12, 2005With Brad and Scott, a fun coincidence meeting them at the TH.
Scott - Mar 13, 2005 11:15 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope Date Climbed: March 12, 2005I wasn't feeling well and was really dragging. After arriving at the trailhead after 11 PM and after a mostly sleepless night, Brandon, Jon Bradford and myself started at 4:30 for the summit (waking up at 3:30). Postholing the willows were pretty nasty because we missed the correct route in the dark (I found it on the return). Brandon and Jon completed the Sawtooth; I did not and turned back. That was a good thing because it took them 14 hours and I was moving slower than them.
On the plus side, the weather was great, and the summit view from Bierstadt was pretty impressive and a pleasent surprise. For some reason I thought Beirstadt would be just a pile of rocks like Bross or Elbert. There are actually quite a few rugged crags around making an impressive view.
Brad Snider - Mar 12, 2005 11:16 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope, then Sawtooth Traverse Date Climbed: March 12, 2005Windy on the west slope. Sawtooth was a blast! Summitted w/ SP members Brandon and Scott Patterson. --14 hour climb, including Bierstadt and Evans (aided by the stupid willows).
shmidtb - Mar 1, 2005 12:46 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass and Sawtooth Date Climbed: August 11, 2004This was my first 14er and it was a great hike. The air took a little getting used to for an Ohioian, but was fine. We hike Guanella Pass and then crossed Sawtooth Ridge. Then wandered through the swamp till we reached the Guanella Pass trail again. Great mountain for your first 14er!
Asphazell - Mar 1, 2005 12:38 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: May 2003A fun day hike, lots of people heading up there! Was a good social climb. Overhanging snow cornice on the south ridge near the summit was really neat! Will be back for the Sawtooth someday!
RModelli - Feb 21, 2005 9:19 am
Route Climbed: normal route Date Climbed: sept 2004Nice climb for a first breath of 14er air.
Very easy hike, and little scrmbling near the summit.
I climbed it in 2:07 mins. It was great , had some snow dusting on the summit.
marke - Feb 7, 2005 11:16 am
Route Climbed: West Slopes Date Climbed: January 22, 2005Absolutely Perfect Day! This is my 3rd summit of Bierstadt, but my first winter ascent of a 14er. I picked the right day, no wind and temps in the mid 20's. Neve made the climbing easy with snowshoes. I sat on the summit for 30 minutes taking in the clearest air I have ever seen in Colorado. Pikes peak looked like it was right next door, and I could easily make out the Sangre De Cristo's!
ColoradoScott - Feb 4, 2005 12:07 pm
Route Climbed: West Slopes Date Climbed: July 9, 1983This was my first 14er after moving to CO in January 1983, and fifth overall. I did it with the CMC and have climbed it again in 1994 with my wife and two dogs and other friends. It's a great mountain, but is very crowded on the weekends now. The trail has improved over the years too, so the willows aren't as horrendous as they once were...thank you 14ers Initiative and all the trail building volunteers.
Richrat - Jan 30, 2005 8:58 pm
Route Climbed: Guanella Pass Date Climbed: September 2003Did this one in the snow. It made it hard to follow a trail.
hoopyfrood - Jan 20, 2005 12:36 pm
Route Climbed: Main Route Date Climbed: 1/15/05This winter ascent was my first fourteener! The snowshoe slog through the willows was a bit arduous, but once we made it past the lip it was an awesome climb! The wind was crazy through the saddle, but the peak was calm. Good times! P.S. the closest approach was from Duck Lake due to Guenella Pass' closure.
bakcast - Dec 12, 2004 2:10 pm
Route Climbed: West Slope and Sawtooth ridge. Date Climbed: July 2000, June 2001Sawtooth ridge was great fun, but my favorite climb of Bierstadt was with my 59 year-old mother on the West Slopes....one year after her full knee-relpacement and her first 14er.
Its never too late to start.