Mancation 2011

Snowmass Mountain

It was another epic trip this year. We decided to summit Snowmass Mountain, which as the name implies is a snow climb. The group has grown and there were about 12 of us this year. Thursday morning we headed up to Aspen, at some lunch, and found the trailhead.

Dave and I a the trailhead

The hike in was beautiful - about 8.5 miles and 2800 feet elevation gain. (that's with 50 pound packs!)

Mike Lindsay and Allen Welch

Andy Meikleljohn and Dave Koenig

Allen Welch and Scott Smith

Our first obstacle was the logjam - a wide river crossing. On the way up it was pretty simple and only a few people slipped and got wet - not so on the way down.



After the logjam it was switchbacks for a little while and then we hit the snow. Luckily the snow was still crunchy and we didn't have to post-hole too much.







We finally arrived at the lake. It was almost entirely frozen over and there were only a few dry campistes - most people had to shovel snow to set up their tents. It was really a stunning view with the mountain shooting up right on the other side of the lake. It was also a daunting sight knowing we were going to climb up it the next morning.



After a night of tasty camping meals (I really do love a good Mountain House camping meal) and pretty good sleep we got up at 4 a.m. to start an early hike. We first hiked around the lake then started the ascent. The elevation gain from the lake was about 3000 feet in 1 1/2 miles. That made for some pretty steep climbing and crampons and ice axes were essential.

Looking back on the lake and campsite from the first steep section.

There were a few level sections but it was mostly steep snow climbing. I got pretty wiped out after the first section but trudged along. Once the sun came out it warmed up quickly and the layers started coming off.






Near the top it became extremely steep and a little hairy. Falling wouldn't have been dangerous, but I really couldn't see myself hiking back up if I slid down the top of the mountain. I could have self arrested with my ice axe, but I didn't have much energy to go back up. Right at the top it was so steep that my shoulder would but up against the uphill snow.



We made it to the top of the snow and then had the traverse to get to the summit. This was pretty fun bouldering and nothing too technical. There were a few areas where it was a little dicey, which made it that much more fun.

Allen with the traverse behind him

At the summit - 14, 092 feet

We made it to the summit and the view was spectacular. There's really something to being at that altitude - a very peaceful, calm feeling. We were the only ones on the mountain that day which was an added bonus.





The sky was perfectly clear and the sun shining. It's rare to hang out on top of a 14er with no wind and clear skies, so we made the most of it and had some lunch.

Looking down at the traverse

After a relaxing rest it was time to hike down. Bouldering down was a little more tricky than up, but we made it without any problems.

You can see our glissading tracks

Now came the fun part. While hiking straight up snow can be pretty exhausting, coming down is as easy and fun as it gets. We were able to glissade (slide down on your butt) down almost the entire mountain. The first steepest section was the most fun and the speeds were high. We used feet and ice axes to steer and slow us down. There was some rock and hole avoiding, but it went smoothly (with the exception of a sore and extremely cold rear).

Looking back at the tracks

I got back to camp at about 11:30 am and we had the rest of the day to rest, recover, enjoy the views and watch the ice melt. The ice in the lake was breaking up quickly and a few insane individuals ventured out into the lake and onto the ice floes.




After another night camping we woke up and hiked out. The weather was again perfect and the hike went quickly.







Back at the logjam things became interesting. The water level was higher and there were fewer exposed logs. Those that were above water were coated in ice and extremely slippery. It was slow going and each step had to be planned out carefully. Just about everyone slipped at some point and got wet - some more than others.



After wringing out socks and emptying water out of boots we finished hiking down to more beautiful views.





From the trailhead we drove straight to Snowmass ski area for some downhill mountain biking. We really pack it in for the mancation. Because we were pretty tired we decided to ride the lifts and only bike downhill. The trails were great but I was pretty wiped out by that time. I also started feeling the effects of some snow blindness and had to rest my eyes.

From there we checked into our condo in Snowmass Villiage and appreciated some showers and soft beds. That night we hung out in Aspen and had fun people watching (does everyone really need to get THAT dressed up in a ski town?)

J.R. Brockman, Scott Lindsay, and Scott Smith

Sundays was a "rest day" and a group of us went golfing at Iron Bridge near Glenwood Springs. The course wound up a mountain and was spectacular.



We spent another night in the condo, barbequing dinner and hanging out in the Jacuzzis. The next day was more mountain biking and I think by that time my legs had had it. We biked the trails at Snowmass, but no lifts this time. There were great views and we had another perfect weather day.






After biking it was time to head home and we closed the book on another mancation. The entire trip was spectacular and we've already started planning for next year.