Mount Sneffels
Saturday, August 6, 2011
This morning I set out with my friend Jackson to climb my second 14er (after climbing Handies Peak last year). We got a very early start and drove to the upper trailhead in Yankee Boy Basin. Unfortunately, about halfway up, Jackson started not feeling so well and had to turn around. I continued on by myself to the summit (well, there were plenty of other people on the trail with me). There were a few sections that scared me a bit, but I was able to face my fears and continue to the top…..and then make it back down again. It was a beautiful day and I had a great time and am glad I was able to accomplish this goal I set for myself this year 🙂
A view of Gilpin Peak from the trail in the early morning light.
An early and easy section of the trail.
View towards Blue Lakes Pass from the trail.
Now a view down on Blue Lakes Pass from the top of the first chute I had to climb.
Looking up at the second chute I needed to climb up from the saddle.
Looking back down through the section of snow I had to climb up. It was easier than it looked to get up, but I certainly didn’t want to go back down this way. Luckily, I didn’t have to since I followed a group back down a different way.
Looking up the final climb to the summit….plenty of people up there.
View from the summit down on the Blue Lakes.
Me at the summit.
A view down into Yankee Boy Basin on my way back down.