Noah, we did the first traverse of the Capitol-Snowmass ridge, in 1951. We=me=Karl Gustafson, 16 years old, and my Boy Scout Master Bob Allen, a CU student. I was an early Boulder rockclimber. I wrote a short account in the Colorado Mountain Club's Trail and Timberline 404 (1952) 119-121. We stayed ( essentially) on top all the way, no basin-dropping. We got essentially all the way through the gendarmes (in particular, beyond the one you call the " gate" ) but in the face of a huge lightning storm we could did go on up to Snowmass summit.
Thanks for commenting on finding our two cairns!
It was, as for you, a great adventure. In spite of the terriblly loose rock, it still remains a magical memory.
Awesome Karl! Thanks for the comment. I did indeed read your account at the AAC Library in the Timberline Journal. That was about the only account I could find besides Matt Samet. Congrats on even attempting that thing so early. Will always be a magical place for me for some reason. You don't find remoteness like that in many parts in CO. Thanks for the comment, it's an honor! And thanks for the story.
centrifuge - Jan 8, 2011 8:29 pm - Voted 10/10
excellentreport and clim man!
gustaf7 - Feb 3, 2012 3:54 pm - Hasn't voted
The First TraverseNoah, we did the first traverse of the Capitol-Snowmass ridge, in 1951. We=me=Karl Gustafson, 16 years old, and my Boy Scout Master Bob Allen, a CU student. I was an early Boulder rockclimber. I wrote a short account in the Colorado Mountain Club's Trail and Timberline 404 (1952) 119-121. We stayed ( essentially) on top all the way, no basin-dropping. We got essentially all the way through the gendarmes (in particular, beyond the one you call the " gate" ) but in the face of a huge lightning storm we could did go on up to Snowmass summit.
Thanks for commenting on finding our two cairns!
It was, as for you, a great adventure. In spite of the terriblly loose rock, it still remains a magical memory.
noahs213 - Feb 3, 2012 5:52 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The First TraverseAwesome Karl! Thanks for the comment. I did indeed read your account at the AAC Library in the Timberline Journal. That was about the only account I could find besides Matt Samet. Congrats on even attempting that thing so early. Will always be a magical place for me for some reason. You don't find remoteness like that in many parts in CO. Thanks for the comment, it's an honor! And thanks for the story.