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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 approaches 60 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
.com
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