TR: Uncompahgre Peak

[Ireallyliketoski2]

11pm Friday night, a cold piece of fried chicken lay on my chest and politics talk through the radio as we sit at the Nellie Creek 2WD trailhead. There are two things I’ve learned after doing this for a while, #1 democracy doesn’t work, #2 fried chicken begets success. The alarm doesn’t go off at 4am as planned and we awake at 5am, pack up and the %ski brothers hit the trail at 5:30am. It is 4 miles and 2,000 feet of vertical to the summer 4WD trailhead.

Climb2ski skinning up the Nellie Creek road at the dawn’s early light.


The trail was broke about 3 miles and then the tracks stopped, it was abundantly clear at this point that no one had been past this point in quite some time. In democratic fashion we took turns breaking trail the remaining mile to the trailhead, took a short break, then cold temperatures warranted that we continue moving. After another ½ mile you break out of the trees and get your first glimpse of Uncompahgre.


The route gradually ascends up a series of rolling hills, once the sun came out the temps warmed up quickly. Climb2ski picks up the pace and pushes the route higher.


After shedding some layers, I finally caught back up to the bro and continued on with more of the same, skinning in magnificent surroundings on a windless, bluebird day in January.


After about 5 hours of constant movement, a nice break at 12,800 feet was as welcome as an invitation to an all you can eat chicken buffet. Here climb2ski eyes with a steely gaze the remaining work to be done.


Some steep skinning quickly ensued as the route traveled enfolded in the distance.


Once the south ridge is gained the view opens up tremendously. Climb2ski takes a break with Wetterhorn looming in the distance; they both look striking in their winter coat.


Some sketchy skinning around the cliff bands, thanks to climb2ski forgetting his ski crampons, led us to a nice scramble up a gully and then onto the broad open slopes just below the summit. We arrived on the summit at 1:30pm, happy as can be.


The vast San Juans are vast indeed.


After a nice break and several heart stopping peaks down the north face, we prepared for the summit ski descent. We’d only be able to ski a little ways down then we’d have to downclimb through the rocky section, but the summit ski is always worth it, and climb2ski shows you why.


Climb2ski below the rocky section, much edge was left behind on those rocks.


Once we got to the saddle below the cliffs at 13,800 we were able to ski again. The snow conditions were variable on the descent, climb2ski making some turns below the cliffs.


Ireallylike2ski getting ready to enter the gnar.


Ireallylike2ski prepares to schralp the gnar.


Climb2ski prefers to ski on snow.


Bluebird turns.


Climb2ski eyes a nice slope.


Ireallyliketoski succumbs to the crust.


Back at the 4WD trailhead at 11,400 feet at 2:45pm another break was warranted. The temperature was perfect as we soaked up the rays and some sandwiches. The only question that remained in our minds was whether or not the warm temps would have turned the snow on the road into mank and make for a less than enjoyable ski out. Either way Ireallyliketoski is stoked to be here and doesn’t care what lay ahead.


The ski out down the road went perfectly; most of the trail was back in the shade and had firmed up enough to make for a quick ski out. Climb2ski walks a flat section immersed in the incomprehensible beauty of the San Juans.


30 minutes later we were back at the car, set up camp, toasted the day with some beers, sausages and steaks. Climb2ski wondering where the warm temperatures went.


The temperature plummeted once the sun went down and it was a cold night, but that didn’t matter, the memory of an amazing day in the mountains kept us warm, like a warm blanket that keeps you warm.

[bean]

Awesome work.

[akahn]

Awesome, looks like a lot of fun. Nice Sox hat.

[FrankZappa]

Way to get after it on a perfect day.
You guys twins too?
Thanks for the report.

[cab]

You guys look like the Huber brothers. Or maybe it's the Wilson brothers.

Way to rip it!

I would have brought my ice axe though. And some crampons. And some smoooookes.

[climb2ski]

love the 14er stoke

[Sirshredalot]

Nice! I have the same helmet and goggles.

Quality stoke.

[Lostinthetrees]

wow! nice summit grab! thanx 4 sharing it.

fwiw, i stood near where u are and followed that treeline in summer, too.

[ChicagoMike]

Nice work! Love that part of Colorado

[millfiger]

I love sitting at that summit, looking at the world drop off from the San Juans - thousands of feet below.

[leftfield]

Nice, one of my favorite 14ers.

[coloskier]

Thanks for another sweet 14er TR!

[jon turner]

That's rad. I need to hit that one up, but I think I might wait for it to fill in a little better. Way to take advantage of the great weather window we've been in for the last couple weeks.

[cold_smoke]

nice to see mid winter 14er descents. Looked like quite a slog!

[mtnbikerskierchick]

Glad you guys had a good time! The San Juans are so beautiful! But, man, it's scary how little snow you guys had! So much snow has fallen in the San Juans-- guess it's just been seriously blasted by the wind! Stupid wind!

[Alpine Dreams]

I like the way you guys do business

[Cyber Cop]

billy goat, billy goat.



nice!

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Nice work - looks like a long, but fun day.

[KansasBoarder]

This thread makes me happy like a thread that makes me happy.

[jwproulx]

Nice work! It's been too many months since I dragged my skis up a 14er. It's great to have a little inspiration.

Glad you guys had a good time! The San Juans are so beautiful! But, man, it's scary how little snow you guys had! So much snow has fallen in the San Juans-- guess it's just been seriously blasted by the wind! Stupid wind!

Isn't one of you remaining descents in the Crestones? A recent TR included a photo of them from the San Luis Valley that had them looking pretty snowy compared to other ranges around Colorado. I was pretty surprised, given their reputation for being dry -- so maybe you'll have some luck after all.

[RoanMtnMan]

Respect the effort as boney as it turned out to be.

[FrontRangeDrummer]

Cool. Such a beautiful day.

[Pow4Brains]

Nice day for a walk with great views. Way to get after it!

[Kya]

Good stuff bros!

[4btn]

Nice to see folks high in the mountains. Good work!