|
Base Camp
Up
| |
- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: June 4,
2010
- Miles Hiked: 11.1
- Elevation Gain: 4,511'
- Hiking Partner(s): Jeff Kunkle &
Wayne Herrick
- Description:
- Jeff asked me about Dreamweaver a couple times over the past year, so
when a Friday opened up for me and I heard reports that it was in good
shape, I decided to send him an email. I hadn't been up
Dreamweaver since 2007, so I thought it might be a good time to return. Coincidently,
Jeff had Friday
off and it took all of two email to plan this hike. Wayne was
looking for something to do, so the plan was set. Jeff had to get
up at 11:30 pm to pick me up at 12:30 am in Highlands Ranch (CO).
We drove to the Longs Peak trailhead and woke Wayne up who was sleeping
in his vehicle. I got ready to go and headed up the trail 15
minutes before Jeff and Wayne since I knew these guys were strong
hikers. I took a five minute break at tree line and by the time I
reached Chasm Junction they caught me. The three of us made it to
the apron of the climb in 2 hours and 45 minutes (2.5 hours for the two
guys made completely of lungs) and we geared up.
- The snow on the apron was a little soft and punchy. I thought
we might have a little work ahead of us, but as we approached the first
constriction conditions firmed up. There was a nice
staircase in front of us for most of the climb which made things go very
smoothly. I lead us through the first step which was primarily snow
with a small amount of ice. The second step had a short mixed
section with a little bit of ice. We added another short step at
the saddle of the Flying Buttress rather than bypassing it to the right
because it looked fun. This was another short mixed step. We
continued on and the top two steps were filled in with ice but not
difficult enough to require protection. Both Wayne and Jeff did
great and had a blast on the climb along with me.
- The wind was blowing pretty hard on the upper ridge, so we took a
break on the upper snow eating, drinking, and enjoying the views.
After a quick scramble to the summit, we descended to the Loft and
worked our way to the snow ramp that would lead us to the lower snow
field. The snow had already softened considerably, so we decided
to go without crampons. The down climb wasn't too difficult, but
it definitely kept us on our toes and required us to give ourselves
strong self belays. Once on the snow field I made a quick glissade
while Jeff and Wayne plunge-stepped back to the trail. The hike
out went really fast. We made the summit in 5 hours and
round-tripped the hike in 7.5 hours. We stopped at Oskar Blues on
the way back through Lyons (CO) not sure if they would even be open for
lunch yet, but we lucked out and had a burger and brew.
- Maps:
-
Click here to view a
2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
| |
www.
just
hiking
.com
|
