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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: March 4, 2006
- Miles Hiked: 4.0
- Elevation Gain: 1,720'
- Hiking Partner(s): None
- Description:
- After enjoying the fairly easy approach to Pacific Peak about a month
ago, I decided to return to Mayflower Gulch to try Atlantic Peak.
The results of the hike were much different and I turned around at
12,700'. Winds were strong in Highlands Ranch throughout the night,
but I decided to head out anyway with a reasonable forecast in the
mountains. I left Denver around 5:30 am and was hiking by 7:30 am.
- The approach was uneventful and the trail was well packed with no new
snow in quite some time. I didn't even put my snowshoes on until
turning up Pacific Creek. I picked up a faint trail and didn't have
too much trouble post-holing. By the time I reached 12,000', I had
to stop and add a layer to both my upper and lower body. It was cold
and somewhat windy, but I pressed on.
- After 400' more of climbing, I made it too a large flat shelf where I
could see the west ridge of Atlantic and was introduced to much stronger
winds. Things didn't look good, and the ridge was getting pounded by
brutal winds. This was frustrating because Fletcher and Pacific
didn't appear to have the same situation. I took a few photos and
knew that my day was likely over.
- I decided to climb a few hundred more feet to see if the wind would
relent if I stayed on the south side of the ridge. I quickly learned
this wasn't going to be the case as I often had trouble standing let alone
climbing. I retreated to my snowshoe cache and hiked back down to
Highway 91. Although I didn't summit, it felt good to be in the
mountains. Physically I was holding up, and with the exception of my
face I was definitely warm enough. However, my relatively
small frame just couldn't compete with the wind.
- Maps:
-
Click here
to view a 2D
map of the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
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