Quandary Peak (III)
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• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  June 23, 2008
  • Miles Hiked:  2.0
  • Elevation Gain:  2,600'
  • Hiking Partner(s):  None
• Description:
  • After climbing Pacific Peak's North Couloir earlier in the morning, I decided to see if Quandary Peak's Cristo Couloir had any snow left in it.  Although I had been on this route just over a year ago, it was on my way home and a relatively short hike so I thought I'd check it out.  I wasn't sure what snow conditions would be like at 10:00 am, but I was going to find out.  The snow had softened from what I experienced on Pacific, but it appeared safe.  I slogged my way up the Cristo traversing back and forth.  By the time I reached the summit, it had begun snowing.  I quickly returned to the top of the couloir and worked my way down the snow.  A combination of down-climbing and glissading had me back at my vehicle in 3 hours and 40 minutes.  The generally overcast weather and cooler temperatures is what probably allowed me to hike this late it the day on snow without much difficulty.
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.
• Photographs:
  • The Cristo Couloir from the very short approach.
  • At the base of the snow climb.
  • Looking down the couloir after gaining several hundred feet.
  • Looking up the couloir after gaining several hundred feet.
  • Conditions on the summit were less than ideal.
  • The dam and reservoir from the top of Cristo Couloir.
  • Quandary Peak from the highway.  The Cristo Couloir is the snowfield to the far left.

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