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Base Camp
Up
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: August 3,
2008
- Miles Hiked:
11.0
- Elevation Gain: 4,200'
- Hiking Partner(s): Scott
Borger, Brian
Kraus, Andy Leach, Jamie Nellis, and Jamie Princo
- Description:
- I thought I was done with alpine starts for the year. I
was up at 1:30 am and picked Scott up shortly after 2:00 am. We
drove to the Glacier Gorge trailhead and met up with the rest of the
group. I had hiked with Jamie P. and Brian before, but Scott, Andy
and Jamie N. were new to me. Our goal was to climb Taylor Glacier
above Sky Pond. We left the trailhead shortly before 5:00 am and
made descent time. Ya gotta love national park trails. The
weather was warm overnight and the hiking was enjoyable. After
reaching Sky Pond, we scrambled to the right of the lake to the base of
a narrow snow finger that would eventually lead us to Taylor Glacier.
- We geared up here and began the snow climbing portion of the day.
Everyone found their rhythm and methodically worked up the glacier.
The slope starts out relatively easy and gradually gets steeper the
higher you climb. Of course the middle of the route is moderate,
and I would consider the finish to be very steep. Snow conditions
were nearly perfect as the snow was soft enough to kick good steps, but
firm enough so the steps would not blow out. As we neared the top
of the climb, Brian decided to veer north and climb the right branch of
the glacier, while the rest of us proceeded up the standard direct
finish. It took 4 hours and 10 minutes to top out.
- We congregated at the top of the glacier on the continental divide
and enjoyed the weather for quite some time. Everyone ate and
drank contemplating what to do next. I had originally considered
hiking to Powell, Taylor, and Otis, but bailed an only climbed Taylor in
order to get Scott and myself back to Denver faster. We all took a
summit photo on the top of Taylor Peak and then Scott and I took off to
the north for Andrews Glacier. At the top of the glacier, we put
our helmets back on and grabbed our axes for a quick glissade down to
Andrews Tarn. We quickly geared down, had a quick drink, and then
proceeded down Andrews Creek. To my surprise, there is a well
established trail from Andrews Glacier back to Glacier Gorge trail.
We returned to the trailhead at 1:20 pm for a round trip time of 8 hours
and 30 minutes.
- 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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