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Horseshoe Mountain and its
couloir are visible from the Leavick Site.
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Scramble:
RT 9.5 (includes Finnback Knob and Peerless Mountain); 4.5 up. I had
just hiked a full day
in the Mosquito Range when I decided on a whim to drive to Fairplay to
attempt the Boudoir Couloir the next day, this would be my first real
snow climb in Colorado. The
forecast called for a replica bluebird day and I couldn't pass that up.
Although I was feeling a bit tired, I knew I'd be resting the following
day and I had a sneaking suspicion that my weekend climb with Tim
wouldn't be a really long one because of deteriorating weather.
Once in Fairplay, I grabbed some Subway, prepared my backpack and
called it a day. I left early morning, I had to drive to the
trailhead and reach the couloir at a decent time. I knew that I had an
additional 1-2
kilometers of approach because the Fourmile Creek road wasn't totally
clear of snow yet. Despite my efforts to start hiking really early,
pre-dawn
light was upon me when I left the truck. I tried to hustle but I didn't
have much "jam"; thankfully, the snow was mostly
supportive. When I got to the base of the couloir, I donned crampons;
it was 7:45 AM when I started climbing. The recent snow felt
stable but there was a bit more than anticipated, it was mostly
wind-pressed with boot-top penetration. While climbing, I probed with
my axe feeling for hollowness and layers. I was
attentive to subtle changes and signs of slab formation knowing that
those changes would likely be seen higher up near ridge line
if they were present. Being solo didn't instill great confidence but I
trusted that all the years spent ski mountaineering and assessing snow
would prove useful in recognizing potential hazard and making the right
decisions. I was focused on the task and didn't stop much.
The snow consistency during the ascent remained pretty much the same,
maybe
a bit firmer higher up. As I neared the ridge line, I climbed along
the side avoiding the middle of the collection zone; soon thereafter, I
stepped onto the ridge. I was pleased and relieved at the same time,
way to go Jo! I continued a short distance to the shack where I had
a well-deserved break. Today was shaping up to be yet another stellar
day in the Colorado Mountains.
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Veering left from the Fourmile
Creek road, ahead are Mounts Sheridan and Sherman (right).
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Last bit of
shade as I travel towards Horseshoe Cirque.
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Horseshoe
Mountain's horseshoe-shaped cirque and Peerless Mountain on the right.
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Getting
closer to Boudoir Couloir, clearly visible left of the rockbands.
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Looking back.
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There it is,
my first couloir in Colorado ...and solo to boot!
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I've come
prepared.
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The snow
feels stable, I've got this.
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Midway the
snow is a bit deeper but isn't hollow, probing with the axe reveals a
consistent snowpack.
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The upper
section of the couloir is more confined.
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Looking down
the moderately steep slope as I near the top of the couloir.
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View
north-east over White Ridge.
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Cresting on
the ridge line.
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From here,
an easy snow ascent leads to the top.
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Peaks of the
Mosquito Range to the north.
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One of my
favorites, LaPlata Peak (left center) with Twin Lakes in its
foreground. Mount Elbert on the right is always distinguisable.
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View
south-west with more Sawatch 14ers.
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This shack
needs renovations...
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Southern
view over Ptarmigan and Weston Peaks.
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View of the
Sawatch Range to the west with Mount Elbert (middle), Mount Massive on
its right and LaPlata Peak on its left.
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North-western
view with Homestake Peak in the foreground and Mount of the Holy Cross
in the distance (far right).
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View north
with Mount Sheridan and Dyer Mountain on the right. The view extends to
the Gore Range in the distance.
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The broad valley to the east.
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Continue
on to Finnback Knob
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