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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: May 2, 2006
- Miles Hiked: 9.0
- Elevation Gain: 4,300'
- Hiking Partner(s): None
- Description:
- Last year on New Year's Eve, I (we) almost triggered an avalanche on
the west slopes of La Plata Peak that could have potentially buried five
14erworld members including myself. After the "whoomf" and huge
fracture line that was above us, we all got sketched out and bailed on the
rest of the climb. As a result, I decided to return alone under much
safer conditions.
- I started hiking around 6:30 am and made adequate progress although
postholing was somewhat problematic. Because of this, I started
climbing towards Point 12783 early from La Plata Gulch to get out of the
snow. At around 11,800', I finally cleared tree line, saw my first
views of La Plata, and decided to traverse below Point 12783 on the west
side towards the saddle northwest of La Plata Peak. The traverse
went quickly and I soon found myself on a few of the switchbacks that were
not snow covered. At this point, I cached my snowshoes, crampons,
and some water.
- I continued to work my way towards the saddle at 12,760' on a large
snowfield. Once on the ridge, I peered across La Plata Basin at
Ellingwood Ridge and needed to add a layer of clothing. The wind was
fairly strong and consistent with gusts adding to the difficulty of the
hike. The northwest ridge proved to be very deceiving. I felt
like the summit was close, but it took much longer than anticipated.
I worked my way up the rocks on the southwest side of the ridge with the
summit never appearing to get any closer.
- I finally topped out and took several pictures of the area. I
didn't stay long as I was cold and weather seemed to be building to the
west. Fortunately, the descent (at least to La Plata Gulch) went
extremely fast. I caught three or four short glissades on the snow
covered northwest side of the ridge back down to the Saddle 12760. I
had to go slowly because loosing control would send me quickly down into
La Plata Basin. From the saddle, I was able to make another longer
and well protected glissade back down to the open switchbacks and my gear.
- I loaded my pack and stepped out onto a narrow snowfield that now
covers the CFI trail. From 12,200', I glissaded all the way down to
the base of La Plata Gulch at around 11,200' in only a few minutes.
At this rate, I thought I'd be back out in no time. Wrong. The
snow softened significantly during the day and the rest of the hike out
was miserable. I tried to float with my snowshoes as much as
possible, but I postholed a lot. It was a real fight to get down the
gulch and when I finally did, I couldn't locate the first creek crossing.
After getting frustrated, I jumped the creek, but then couldn't find the
trail to head back west to the second creek crossing with a bridge.
My aggravation grew, so I said screw it an forded Lake Creek in thigh deep
water and bushwhacked north to Highway 82. From here I simply hiked
up the road back to my vehicle.
- Maps:
-
Click here
to view a 2D
map of the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
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