John Climber - Jan 30, 2006 1:36 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report Comment
Alpinist (and Eileen), Congratulations with your achievements. Nice trip report.
My question is, why people were not bringing crampons with them if they were indeed needed. One brings crampons so high on the mountain and, then, are left behind ! With crampons a way up and, surely, a safe way back would have been guaranteed, wouldn't it? Next to that, a fall (let's say with a no more consecuences than a broken leg, for example) at that altitude and with that winds (due to a misstap on that hard snow)...what would have mean?
John - you raise a valid question. The answer is that most people have not climbed that high before and were struggling with the altitude. Some people turned back. Those that continued for the summit dropped their packs to lighten the load while ascending the Canaleta, which is comprised of mostly loose dirt. There were only a few small patches of snow and none of them dropped vertically.
Keep in mind that we could see nearly the entire route going up the Canaleta. I for one did not see anything that worried me. I think I made the right choice leaving my crampons behind. It's a decision each climber must make based on his experience and confidence level. It's unfortunate that the 2 climbers from CO didn't press on, as I'm sure they would have reached the summit and returned safely.
John Climber - Jan 30, 2006 4:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Alpinist - Jan 23, 2006 8:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThanks Lolli...!
KathyW - Jan 23, 2006 9:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentVery nice trip report and pictures and congratulations on making the summit. I hope I get to see some of the sights in person eventually.
William Marler - Jan 24, 2006 9:29 am - Voted 9/10
Trip Report CommentThanks for posting. A fun read. Cheers William
Rob A - Jan 24, 2006 10:04 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentSounds like a nice trip. Have fun on Mansfield.
Martin Cash - Jan 24, 2006 11:12 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentNice job! A very good read.
Alpinist - Jan 24, 2006 11:30 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThanks a lot...!
cp0915 - Jan 24, 2006 11:51 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentExcellent. Thank you.
John Climber - Jan 30, 2006 1:36 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentAlpinist (and Eileen), Congratulations with your achievements. Nice trip report.
My question is, why people were not bringing crampons with them if they were indeed needed. One brings crampons so high on the mountain and, then, are left behind ! With crampons a way up and, surely, a safe way back would have been guaranteed, wouldn't it? Next to that, a fall (let's say with a no more consecuences than a broken leg, for example) at that altitude and with that winds (due to a misstap on that hard snow)...what would have mean?
Thanks.
Scott - Jan 30, 2006 10:47 am - Voted 10/10
Trip Report CommentVery nice TR. It looks like a good time was had by all.
Alpinist - Jan 30, 2006 11:39 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThanks Scott. We missed you down there.
John - you raise a valid question. The answer is that most people have not climbed that high before and were struggling with the altitude. Some people turned back. Those that continued for the summit dropped their packs to lighten the load while ascending the Canaleta, which is comprised of mostly loose dirt. There were only a few small patches of snow and none of them dropped vertically.
Keep in mind that we could see nearly the entire route going up the Canaleta. I for one did not see anything that worried me. I think I made the right choice leaving my crampons behind. It's a decision each climber must make based on his experience and confidence level. It's unfortunate that the 2 climbers from CO didn't press on, as I'm sure they would have reached the summit and returned safely.
John Climber - Jan 30, 2006 4:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentAlpinist, Thanks for you explanation.
James C - Jan 30, 2006 5:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentGlad to see this one make the front page. Way to go! Great Report!
Alpinist - Jan 30, 2006 8:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThanks very much!
Larry V - Jan 30, 2006 9:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentCongratulations on making this climb! Great trip report.
magellan - Jan 31, 2006 1:14 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentGreat report, great pictures, great trip!
Alpinist - Jan 31, 2006 8:32 am - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThanks!
Joerg Marretsch - Jan 31, 2006 1:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThank you for the excellent report.
Have fond memories of my own trip to the summit at 19. January 2005.
Congratulation!
Alpinist - Jan 31, 2006 11:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThanks Joerg. Congrats to you as well!
kilimanjaro1 - Feb 2, 2006 1:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentNice, interesting story. Thanks and Congratulations!
Alpinist - Feb 2, 2006 3:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Trip Report CommentThank you!