| Ref: 14ers.com
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Last minute route planning.
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Snowshoe
trip.
RT 10.75 (includes Argentine Peak and Mount Wilcox); 5.25 up. Here
I am near Guanella Pass where I soloed my first 14er, Mount Bierstadt,
on
this exact same date last year. This time, I've got a pretty cool
traverse planned which includes three ranked 13ers. I'll make my way to
Guanella
Pass, climb Square Top Mountain, traverse to Argentine Peak continuing
to Mount Wilcox before heading out via Naylor Lake. This loop is
popular in the summer but I suspected I wouldn't run into
anybody in these snowy conditions on a weekday. Aside from solitude,
this traverse would also grant an
awesome view of Grays and Torreys Peaks from an entirely different
aspect. I
spent the night at the winter closure and set my alarm for 5 AM; with a
stellar day in the forecast, I felt no need to walk to the pass
in
the dark. When my alarm went off, I didn't want to get up but I still
managed a pre-dawn start. Nobody had gone up
the road since the recent snow storm, I had to break trail in boot-top
deep snow. Already,
I started questioning my endeavour. At the pass, I beelined towards
the south-east ridge of Square Top; my line of ascent took me over
gentle rolling terrain, the surface was greatly affected
by wind and varied from firm snow to ankle-deep breakable crust. When I
finally reached the ascent ridge and started climbing, I could really
feel
the accumulated fatigue and just set my mind on gaining this summit.
The day was
beautiful as promised and the scenery was fantastic. Once I stepped
onto the
flat top of the objective, the way to
the other two summits came into view. They looked close and I
was able to visualize safe lines of travel. I dropped my pack at the
summit cairn and checked the time, it was 10:30 AM. Suddenly, I knew
what
I came here for; tired or not, I felt the urge to carry on. With no
more hesitation, I picked up my pack and started heading down to the
col between Square Top Mountain and Argentine Peak.
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Interesting evening clouds at the winter parking lot.
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No one has ventured to Guanella Pass since the last storm cycle.
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Looking back as I near the pass.
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I remember this view of The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt from last year.
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From the pass, Square Top Mountain looks really simple.
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A sign along the way.
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Leaving Guanella Pass behind.
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Lovely Ptarmigans.
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Ascending the wind-swept south-east ridge.
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Firm snow grants good travel.
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Looking over Square Top Lakes towards Gray Wolf Mountain.
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Getting closer to the summit ridge.
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North-eastern view over Naylor Lake.
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The summit ridge with the top at the west end.
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View east from the top with Mounts Evans and Bierstadt.
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Mount Wilcox and Murray Lake to the north.
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Argentine Peak, Mount Edwards, Grays and Torreys Peaks to the left.
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Western view.
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Continue
on to Argentine Peak
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