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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: May 28, 2006
- Miles Hiked: 7.5
- Elevation Gain: 3,800'
- Hiking Partner(s): Matt and
Mark
- Description:
- The last minute plan for Sunday was to climb Skywalker Couloir on
South Arapahoe Peak. This plan was solidified after reading a
current trip report from Jared Workman and David Pneuman. My
climbing partner got his period, so I was off to the Indian Peaks by
myself. This particular climb has a lot to offer including a short
approach, a steep snow climb, a fun ridge traverse, and two peaks.
- I slept in until 4:00 am and was hiking by 6:20 am. The road was
open all the way to the 4th of July Trailhead and for the most part, the
trail was snow free or well packed. When I reached the apron of the
couloir, Matt and Mark were preparing for the climb, so I asked if I could
tag along. They quickly agreed and we were off. We were the
first party in the gully. The Skywalker Couloir starts off at a
moderate angle and remains there for most of the climb. About
two-thirds of the way up, the angle becomes more steep, and then the final
section is approximately 60-65 degrees. The couloir is approximately 1,000'
in length, but it goes fast because of the steepness.
- After reaching a small saddle northwest of South Arapahoe, I said
goodbye to Matt and Mark and took off on the traverse. The ridge
went quickly with no difficulties. My round trip time for the
traverse was 1 hour and
20 minutes. After tagging North Arapahoe and returning to South
Arapahoe, I descended the southeast ridge and looped back to the base of
the couloir before picking up some tracks and hiking back out to my
vehicle by 12:30 pm. There were a lot of day hikers on the trail on
the way out along with many dogs.
- Maps:
- Click here
to view a
2D
map of the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
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www.
just
hiking
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