Mount Evans (2)
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• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  June 6, 2007
  • Miles Hiked:  1.9
  • Elevation Gain:  1,420'
  • Hiking Partner(s):  None
• Description:
  • I climbed the Crystal Couloir on Mount Evans north face and descended the northeast face for a real quick alpine fix.  This was a fun route that I had been wanting to try for some time.  I got up at 4:00 am and was back home by 9:30 am.  Although it ended up being more driving than climbing, I still enjoyed the morning.  The wind was really whipping at Summit Lake, but I decided to give it a shot since it was a really short climb.  The snow conditions were near perfect with my crampons biting into the snow nicely.  I only post-holed or broke through a thick crust occasionally.  The steepness wasn't too bad, but enough to keep you on your toes.  I found it interesting that the couloir to the left of Crystal was actually a lot bigger.  This was definitely the line that people had been skiing as opposed to the Crystal Couloir which is fairly narrow.  I think my round trip time was 2 hours and 10 minutes.
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.
• Photographs:
  • The north face of Mount Evans.
  • A close up of the north face.
  • Mount Spaulding
  • Making the traverse to the base of the climb.
  • Looking up at the couloir from the base of the climb.
  • Entering the narrow section of Crystal Couloir.
  • A view back down towards Summit Lake from the entrance to the narrow section of the couloir.
  • Looking down the couloir about half way up.
  • Looking down the couloir from the top.  I can still see my vehicle at the parking lot!
  • From the top of the snow climb, it is only a short scramble to the summit ridge.
  • Mount Evans from the parking lot.
  • A crude outline of the route.

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