Climbing Quandary Peak, Breckenridge, Colorado Elevation: 14,265' Elevation Gain from TH: 3450' RT Distance: 6.75M July 16, 2015 - Quandary is a fourteener that I have passed on because it is easy to reach and a fairly short Class 1 walk-up to summit. It fit perfectly with my plans this time, allowing me a good climb to stretch out after the long drive across the country. I've always wanted to stand on top of it, but just never stopped before. So I was happy to arrive after six on a sunny morning, my first full day of my odyssey in the Rockies. Temps the night before dropped to an exhilarating 38 degrees by morning after a good rain the night before. All was set for a crisp climb into the high country that I love so much. Starting after 0630, there were many people already ahead of me on the trail. In that the day was clear and the hike up short, I was in no hurry as I took my time to eat a good breakfast before beginning. Starting up the early switchbacks through the pines and firs quickly worked out any kinks from travel. I soon got into clmbing mode and worked my way up steadily to treeline. I could see many hikers well above me on the ridge, working their way up tediously through the scree-laced talus. A boy scout troup of 30 were backpacking their way over the peak, so it was easy to overtake them with the weight they were bearing. A couple goats came close enough to take some pics; I always enjoy seeing them. I probably passed 50 to 60 people who had started earlier before reaching the top in about two hours. The wind was quite chilly with gusts of perhaps 25 knots, so I donned a windbreaker before climbing up and over a final snowfield to reach the broad summit. Most people were laboring between frequent breaks. While I was not fresh or altitude-prepared and generally don't take breaks, a steady persistent pace lifted me to the top in fine shape. People were quite friendly as I probably said "good morning" a couple hundred times. Taking advantage of gravity, I coasted down the trail at an easy canter, jogging in my boots whenever I could. It felt good to move comfortably down the trail, ever dancing with the rocks. The journey back to the car took but an hour and a half, concluding my climb by 10 a.m. I enjoyed the climb in the sun and feel confident I can regain my climbing fitness in time for the coming weekend's climbing races. |