Route Climbed: Quandary Trail Date Climbed: February 27, 2005
After two months without any significant climbs, I finally climbed another 14er. The trip up Quandary was great. We had a late start at 10:30 and made the round trip in 6 hours. The conditions were fairly rough with constant snow and wind. At times the visibility was down to a few feet. However, we were lucky and it cleared up for about 30 minutes while we were on the ridge at 13000+, so we had a few great views.
We also had a companion on our tip. Horton the Quandary Dog. His tag gave an address on Blue Lake road. We tried to get him to stay at the trailhead, but he followed us all the way to the top and had no problems whatsoever.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: February 20, 2005
Varying weather and trail conditions made for a wonderful adventure. 6 skiers fought the wind to summit after us, I saw 2 of them enjoying the downhill benefits of their efforts. I was envious! :) Overall, incredible day!
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2004
Great outing on an extremely cold day. The high in Breckenridge was 5 degrees, and Quandary was much colder. Not a lot of fresh snow, and what snow was already there was very hard packed. The trail was well established through the woods as well, with no postholing. No real views however, as clouds obscured the summit all day.
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 14, 1983
Another climb w/ the CMC, before the days of a constructed trail up the mountain. A beautiful day, we climbed at a fast pace, making the summit before 11:00 am and then spent an hour on top, napping in the warm sun.
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: November 27, 2004
Excellent example of the 'Suffering' experience so many SP'ers go in for. Climbed with Fabio Somenzi (brenta on SP) in extreme cold and high winds (gusts at at least 50 mph, maybe more). Hands down my most painful summit, but we made it and having made it, liked it. I do want to return another day so I can actually *see* the place, though. This was also my first CO 14'er and my highest peak to date.
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: November 17, 2004
Great Mountain....I have never heard anyone mention the views from up there...AMAZING....you can see so far in all directions....even to the Crestone's!
It was a fun day...long but fun....I made it a day trip from Estes...next time I'll camp.
I only saw two other people the entire day...I felt special to have this popular mountain virtually to myself!
Route Climbed: East ridge Date Climbed: August 23, 2002
Started pre-dawn and was alone on the summit for about 15 minutes before heading down. On my way down, passed at least 100 people going up. Start early!!
Route Climbed: West Ridge via Fletcher Date Climbed: September 3, 2004
The West Ridge is a really fun scramble. I don't think I found the easiest route, but the difficulty never exceeded Class 4 the way I went. Strangely enough, there was nobody on the summit that day.
I would advise a helmet on this route for sure. The rockfall isn't a big danger, but there are a few spots where a short fall could really bash your head. (There are also a few spots where a helmet wouldn't matter anyway....)
Route Climbed: Monte Cristo - East Ridge Date Climbed: October 17, 2004
After camping the night about 1 mile up the trail, we summitted around noon on October 17. The climb was made difficult by icy trails and strong winds, but well worth it, as always.
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: May 30, 1999
Hiked the standard route from Monte Cristo, which was a nice, gentle climb along the east slope area. The snow was soft on the way down, which did not allow us to glissade. Too bad - we ended up postholing most of the way back down.
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: March 4, 2000
I went with three others, two of which were going to snowboard down the east slopes once we reached the summit. This was my second climb of Quandary, and I brought a video camera to film the snowboarders.
Since I was not carrying any extra gear, I made the summit in good time, but the others dragged and never made it. They did get up over 12,000 feet, so I was able to film some portions of their descent. The weather was great and the snow very fine! I also filmed a skier who cruised down the entire slope.
Route Climbed: Quandary Trail Date Climbed: August 15 2004
It is not a class 1 trail, according to the hiking book. It is rocky at the last half. Belowe the treeline, it is a easy hike. All the 14 er are beautifull on the peak. I enjoye this hike.
Another of those peaks done by Aaron and I when just starting our mountaineering days. I don't remember much about this one, except I liked it (I liked them all...).
Route Climbed: Quandary Trail Date Climbed: August 1,2004
Started up at 6:30AM and reached the summit at 8:40. Lots of cars at the trailhead yet only 4 people on top. Great views in every direction although hazy from the Nucla wildfire. Perfect weather, stayed at summit about 30 mins then back down by 11:05, lots of people. My first 14'er and a great way to spend the morning!
georgbetsy - Feb 27, 2005 4:59 pm
Route Climbed: Quandary Trail Date Climbed: February 27, 2005After two months without any significant climbs, I finally climbed another 14er. The trip up Quandary was great. We had a late start at 10:30 and made the round trip in 6 hours. The conditions were fairly rough with constant snow and wind. At times the visibility was down to a few feet. However, we were lucky and it cleared up for about 30 minutes while we were on the ridge at 13000+, so we had a few great views.
We also had a companion on our tip. Horton the Quandary Dog. His tag gave an address on Blue Lake road. We tried to get him to stay at the trailhead, but he followed us all the way to the top and had no problems whatsoever.
Natasha - Feb 22, 2005 4:09 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: February 20, 2005Varying weather and trail conditions made for a wonderful adventure. 6 skiers fought the wind to summit after us, I saw 2 of them enjoying the downhill benefits of their efforts. I was envious! :) Overall, incredible day!
kjkrow - Feb 16, 2005 3:06 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2004Great outing on an extremely cold day. The high in Breckenridge was 5 degrees, and Quandary was much colder. Not a lot of fresh snow, and what snow was already there was very hard packed. The trail was well established through the woods as well, with no postholing. No real views however, as clouds obscured the summit all day.
ColoradoScott - Feb 2, 2005 12:12 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 14, 1983Another climb w/ the CMC, before the days of a constructed trail up the mountain. A beautiful day, we climbed at a fast pace, making the summit before 11:00 am and then spent an hour on top, napping in the warm sun.
Richrat - Jan 30, 2005 6:57 pm
Route Climbed: Monte Cristo Trail Date Climbed: June 2003There was a lot of snow on the mountain as it was eary in the season. This is the first mountain I slid down on the snow.
pksander - Nov 28, 2004 6:52 am
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: November 27, 2004Excellent example of the 'Suffering' experience so many SP'ers go in for. Climbed with Fabio Somenzi (brenta on SP) in extreme cold and high winds (gusts at at least 50 mph, maybe more). Hands down my most painful summit, but we made it and having made it, liked it. I do want to return another day so I can actually *see* the place, though. This was also my first CO 14'er and my highest peak to date.
smudge - Nov 18, 2004 11:13 pm
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: November 17, 2004Great Mountain....I have never heard anyone mention the views from up there...AMAZING....you can see so far in all directions....even to the Crestone's!
It was a fun day...long but fun....I made it a day trip from Estes...next time I'll camp.
I only saw two other people the entire day...I felt special to have this popular mountain virtually to myself!
bakcast - Nov 17, 2004 9:43 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: March 1999, May 2000I've always enjoyed this mountain because its always been a nice day when I've hiked it.
csmcgranahan - Oct 31, 2004 6:31 pm
Route Climbed: East ridge Date Climbed: August 23, 2002Started pre-dawn and was alone on the summit for about 15 minutes before heading down. On my way down, passed at least 100 people going up. Start early!!
Ed F - Oct 24, 2004 4:08 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge via Fletcher Date Climbed: September 3, 2004The West Ridge is a really fun scramble. I don't think I found the easiest route, but the difficulty never exceeded Class 4 the way I went. Strangely enough, there was nobody on the summit that day.
I would advise a helmet on this route for sure. The rockfall isn't a big danger, but there are a few spots where a short fall could really bash your head. (There are also a few spots where a helmet wouldn't matter anyway....)
ripper333 - Oct 24, 2004 3:29 pm
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: feb 2000caught in a crazy storm. tent collapsed in the nite.
Trevor Simmons - Oct 19, 2004 1:22 am
Route Climbed: Monte Cristo - East Ridge Date Climbed: October 17, 2004After camping the night about 1 mile up the trail, we summitted around noon on October 17. The climb was made difficult by icy trails and strong winds, but well worth it, as always.
mr_g - Oct 12, 2004 11:01 am
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: May 30, 1999Hiked the standard route from Monte Cristo, which was a nice, gentle climb along the east slope area. The snow was soft on the way down, which did not allow us to glissade. Too bad - we ended up postholing most of the way back down.
mr_g - Oct 12, 2004 10:08 am
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: March 4, 2000I went with three others, two of which were going to snowboard down the east slopes once we reached the summit. This was my second climb of Quandary, and I brought a video camera to film the snowboarders.
Since I was not carrying any extra gear, I made the summit in good time, but the others dragged and never made it. They did get up over 12,000 feet, so I was able to film some portions of their descent. The weather was great and the snow very fine! I also filmed a skier who cruised down the entire slope.
bc44caesar - Oct 11, 2004 8:31 pm
Route Climbed: Inwood Arete Date Climbed: 9 Oct 2004Climbed the direct version free solo - reached the summit after 3.5 hours. Snow and ice made things a little dicey!
eurobeer - Sep 13, 2004 1:28 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: Sept. 11, 2004Good hike. Extremely busy peak. We were first to sign summit log, but then passed the swarms of people as we descended.
pusdkq6ee - Aug 30, 2004 4:33 pm
Route Climbed: Quandary Trail Date Climbed: August 15 2004It is not a class 1 trail, according to the hiking book. It is rocky at the last half. Belowe the treeline, it is a easy hike. All the 14 er are beautifull on the peak. I enjoye this hike.
flyinghighpete - Aug 24, 2004 12:31 am
Route Climbed: East Ridge Date Climbed: August 22, 2004Got up to the summit and then jogged down as it started to sleet. Took about 3 hours. Great hike!
Saintgrizzly - Aug 10, 2004 8:41 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: Late '70'sAnother of those peaks done by Aaron and I when just starting our mountaineering days. I don't remember much about this one, except I liked it (I liked them all...).
myrone - Aug 3, 2004 8:15 pm
Route Climbed: Quandary Trail Date Climbed: August 1,2004Started up at 6:30AM and reached the summit at 8:40. Lots of cars at the trailhead yet only 4 people on top. Great views in every direction although hazy from the Nucla wildfire. Perfect weather, stayed at summit about 30 mins then back down by 11:05, lots of people. My first 14'er and a great way to spend the morning!