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Esprit Point (left) and Mount
Shavano from the access road, the shape of the angel is discernible.
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Snowshoe
trip:
RT 9.0 (includes Tabeguache Peak); 4.25 up. I had wanted to
climb Shavano and Tabeguache for quite some time now. I knew that at
this time of the year I could take advantage of the angel-shaped snow
gully, it's a popular easy route. I
also wanted to ascend a couple of 14ers before heading back home to
Golden (Canada). Unfortunately, the forecast wasn't
looking that good with rain and T-storms predicted for around noon.
I decided to try anyway and planned to leave during the night, just
like my trip to Mount Antero. I slept a couple of hours and awoke at
midnight, the full moon was illuminating the starry night sky; although
my alarm was set for later, I got up and grabbed my stuff.
The trail was easy to follow with the headlamp. Further along, when I
encountered snow, I remained vigilant and followed people's tracks to
stay on the trail. Once I reached the bottom
of the gully and open terrain, the route to the angel was very
straightforward. The snow climb is pretty easy, the grade isn't
steep; I climbed with my snowshoes to benefit from the heel raises. The
moon was less discernible and the stars were
fewer than when I left the truck at midnight, clearly an overcast
sky was already materializing. This night walk evoked a
meditative state, I could almost make out my surroundings without the
headlamp. I climbed the lower angel and then veered climber's right, up
"the angel's right arm" to gain the east ridge. From there, it didn't
take
too long before I reached the talus slopes that precede the summit. It
was kinda odd to step onto the summit in total darkness. I could see
the lights of Salida below but the moon and stars had become
obstructed.
I decided to carry on to Tabeguache Peak. I couldn't see the connecting
ridge, I had to turn on my headlamp to negotiate the
blocky terrain on the traverse. I felt more alone on this
part of the trip.
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Trailhead at
half past midnight.
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Reaching the
bottom of the Angel of Shavano in pitch dark.
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The full
moon is a great companion.
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Summit of
Shavano now in daylight as I come back from Tabeguache Peak.
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Mount
Shavano's east ridge.
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The weather
has greatly improved since my traverse to and from Tabeguache.
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Esprit Point
should be called "Le Point de l'Esprit"!
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The saddle
in the sun is an appealling place for an extended break.
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After a fine
break, I resumed my descent on firm snow.
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Glissading
the Angel's right arm with Shavano's summit to the left.
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Looking down
as I head to the body of the angel.
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Hitting
pockets of drifted snow between crazy fast firm snow. |
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More fun
ahead of me!
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A look back
at the Angel of Shavano.
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Casual
descent.
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Blue sky was
totally unexpected.
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Stay on the
trail folks, bushwhacking here would be horrendous...
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Self-promotion,
why not.
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Continue
on to Tabeguache Peak
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