N. Arapahoe Pk. (2)/S. Arapahoe Pk. (2)
[ Base Camp ] [ The Hikes ] [ Summary ] [ Peak List ] [ Other Links ]

Base Camp
Up

• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  May 31, 2008
  • Miles Hiked:  7.5
  • Elevation Gain:  3,800'
  • Hiking Partner(s):  John Balciar, Brian Kooienga, Jeff Shafer
• Description:
  • Since John, Brian, and Jeff had not climbed Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak, I joined them for an early season snow climb.  I was on this route two years ago under somewhat different conditions.  The snow climb seemed steeper then; however, the traverse had much less snow and the approach was also melted out more.  Regardless, we had a good day and enjoyed ourselves under ideal conditions.  The roundtrip time was 7 hours and 15 minutes with 30 minutes on each summit of North and South Arapahoe.  Snow climbing season this year in Colorado is approximately 2 to 4 weeks behind the last couple of years so people just seem to be getting out now with extreme caution as there is still a ton of snow in the mountains.
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.
• Photographs:
  • On the approach from the Fourth of July Trailhead.
  • Our first look at Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak.
  • A close-up of Skywalker Couloir with two climber in the middle of the climb and one on the direct finish above.
  • By the time we neared the apron of the climb, the party of two didn't make significant progress.
  • Gearing up at the base of the climb.
  • Heading up the apron to Skywalker Couloir.
  • Approaching the middle of the couloir.  John, Jeff, and Brian were all in good form for the day.
  • John nearing the Princess Lea finish as Brian and Jeff are above me.
  • Brian and Jeff finishing the climb.
  • Removing crampons at the top of Skywalker Couloir.
  • Our group summit photo.
  • North Arapahoe Peak and some of the traverse.
  • John and Jeff starting the traverse.
  • Brian climbing what I considered the crux of the traverse.
  • Jeff on the crux.
  • Brian, John, and Jeff with North Arapahoe in the background.
  • An alternate route to the summit was up a narrow snow filled chute.

  • Nearing the flat summit of North Arapahoe.

  • Brian, Jeff, and John on the huge cairn on top of North Arapahoe Peak.

www.

just

hiking

.com

Base Camp     The Hikes     Summary     Peak List     Other Links