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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: July 30, 2005
- Miles Hiked: 6.0
- Elevation Gain: 4,450'
- Hiking Partner(s): Mark
and Sarah Richardson, Doug Hatfield
- Description:
- After our successful climb of the Bells, Mark, Sarah, and I briefly
discussed returning to the Aspen area and teaming up for Pyramid Peak
too. Several other individuals were interested in the trip;
however, Doug was the only one who ended up joining us for the
day. We took the standard northeast ridge route up Pyramid with
nothing extraordinary to report. It was a beautiful day, CFI
continues to make progress on the Pyramid trail, and we were all were
happy to have climbed Pyramid Peak.
- Since Doug decided to abandon our plans to meet at the Pyramid
Peak/Crater Lake trail junction at 5:00 am (he was planning on camping
at Crater Lake), we blew right by the intersection and ended up
backtracking a bit before having it pointed out to us by some other
climbers. We eventually started up the trail which now contains a
plethora of orange, yellow, and red stake markers every 15-20
feet. We eventually caught up to Doug after 15-20 minutes of
hiking, and he indicated that he was concerned we were ahead of him, so
he started up the trail. Introductions were brief as we continued
towards the Pyramid amphitheatre.
- It was becoming light as the trail gave way to a large boulder field
below the hanging basin. We did a little boulder hopping before
finding ourselves on a solid snow field that led us the rest of the way
to the base of Pyramid Peak's north face. At this point, we
followed a couple of large cairns to the east across the amphitheatre
and towards the route which would take us to Pyramid's northeast ridge
at the 12,980' saddle. From Maroon Lake to this saddle, route
finding is a mute point. There is a trail nearly the entire way,
and although the ascent from the amphitheater to the saddle is steep and
slightly loose, it is obvious as to where one needs to go.
- We took a break on the saddle, where the application of sunscreen and
lip balm took place. We ate and drank knowing Pyramid's summit was
a mere 1,000' away. Of course, this would prove to be the most
difficult section of the climb, but we set a goal to be on the summit in
an hour. Initially, route finding is not difficult. We
followed a strong climber's trail and cairns for quite some time before
questioning our route. Even then, with everyone keeping an eye out
for the easiest and most convenient route, we were never held up from
progress for more than a minute or two on occasion. We worked our
way up through the jumble of ledges, ribs, and gullies, before making
the summit at 9:00 am, just as predicted
- With the ascent of North Maroon Peak still fresh in our minds (not
considering the traverse), Mark, Sarah, and I agreed that in comparison,
Pyramid was slightly more difficult. The route finding is a bit
more intense, the technical climbing is more difficult, and the rock is
significantly more loose than the northeast ridge route of North
Maroon. Nevertheless, this route is definitely doable if you take
your time and search for the easiest and safest route. We did
knock several rocks loose despite our attempts to be as careful as
possible. Fortunately, only one other party was on the mountain in
this section when we were. It took us 4 hours and 35 minutes to
ascend, we spent 45 minutes on the summit, and the descent was 3 hours
and 30 minutes.
- Maps:
- Click
here to view a 2D
map of the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
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