This is the rescheduled trip. Hopefully there will still be decent snow.
Lodging is available in a condo in Silverthorne for nights of 29 May an 31 May, contact me if interested.
Trying this again since we got weathered out last year. Here are the details.
Interested in doing a steep snow climb this spring? Please consider joining me and one of my climbing partners along with the world's best crag dog for one of the classic snow climbs in CO. Note that this trip is also being advertised through the Denver Chapter of the American Alpine Club.
Information
Rating - Mountaineering
Roundtrip Distance - 7.6miles
Total Elevation Gain - 2900 feet
Day 1 - 39 May 2024
Meet at the Mayflower Gulch parking area at 2pm. Snowshoe in approx 1.5miles/470 vertical feet and camp. (This is for heavy pack training for later climbs I'm doing this year.)
Day 2- 31 May 2024
Alpine start on for the summit, 2 miles and 2400 vertical feet. Back to camp to pack up, and then back to the trailhead.
Pace for the climb will be slow to moderate.
This climb is considered to be one of the classic snow climbs in CO, it is the first climb listed in Dave Cooper's book "Colorado Snow Climbs: A Guide for All Seasons" (pp49-51 of the first edition 2007). Atlantic Peak is also one of the Centennial 13ers. Although it is not technical in the sense that it doesn't require being roped up, it does require knowledge of how to use an ice axe for travel and self-arrest. Training for ice axe use will not be provided, you must know how to use one when you sign up. Helmet and crampons will also be required. I will let participants know if snowshoes will be required a day or two before the climb.
Also, because of the unusual snow patterns we have had this winter/spring in CO, we will be carrying avalanche rescue gear (transceiver, probe, shovel) because of the potential for a slab avalanche. You must have completed the old AIARE 1 course (with the rescue section) or the new AIARE one-day rescue course and know how to use the gear. No avalanche rescue training will be provided during the climb. We will not go if the avy danger is MODERATE or higher.
For a refresher on moving on steep snow and ice axe usage please see the American Alpine Club's "Know the Ropes" section of the 2014 "Accidents in North American Mountaineering" (now "Accidents in North American Climbing") - http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201212891/Know-The-Ropes-Snow-Climbing
Questions - send me a direct message here on Meetup or shoot me a text (no phone calls please) at 303-949-9794.