We Do Stuff: September 2024

Apostles Traverse

Apostles Traverse
September 28, 2024

West Apostle 13,597'
Ice Mountain 13,960'
North Apostle 13,869'

Wyatt was hoping to meet Laura and I in the mountains for a day trip so we hatched a plan for the Apostles Traverse. We met at the Missouri Gulch trailhead and carpooled to the upper 4wd trailhead for Huron Peak and The Apostles - Ice Mountain, North Apostle and West Apostle. We made quick work of the rough road and were hiking at 5:45 am.

Laura in Apostle Basin. We would traverse these mountains from right to left.

Wandering through the forest on an excellent trail, we reached tree line and ascended a class 3 ridge to reach the summit of West Apostle at 8:45 am.

Wyatt and Justing scrambling up the ridge on West Apostle

Wyatt on the ridge on West Apostle

Justin scouting out the best route on to the summit of West Apostle

Laura on the ridge on West Apostle

Summit of West Apostle

Laura checking out the route to Ice Mountain while Justin looks at the summit register

The traverse from West Apostle to Ice Mountain was tricky in some spots but we were able to keep the climbing relatively safe and easy at class 4 with a little bit of route finding and down climbing. I summitted a few minutes before Laura and Wyatt as they were caught in good conversation, and I was enjoying the scrambling on the amazing ridgeline. I reached the summit of Ice Mountain at 9:35 am.

Justin scouting the ridge

Wyatt on the ridge between West Apostle and Ice Mountain

There were a few pretty exposed sections on the traverse

Wyatt and Justin on the summit of Ice Mountain

We relaxed for a few minutes and were quickly downclimbing the most technical section of the route. It looked a lot different than when Laura and I last down climbed the ridge between Ice and North Apostle in wintertime and with snow. Despite the minimal snow this time, the route was still not easy, but with some careful route finding and a bit of backtracking, we were able to reach the saddle without issue.

Wyatt on the traverse between Ice Moutain and North Apostle

Laura on the ridge somewhere along the Apostles Traverse

Continuing on to North Apostle, we all reached the summit at 10:10 am. We contemplated our option of heading down the standard route, but since it was still early in the day, we opted to explore the ridge that connects North Apostle and Huron Peak. I had read a single account of the traverse; however it was from Huron to Apostle and we would be heading the opposite way. Unknown terrain was ahead and we headed out without knowing what to expect.

Summit of North Apostle

For the most part, we were able to keep the climbing to 4th class scrambling, but about 1/3 of the way along the ridge we came to a headwall. Rather than having the climbing above us, we would need to down climb here. It appeared that there were no easy options and after some exploration, I estimated the down climb to be about mid fifth class. Up climbing a few moves of 5.5 or 5.6 is not out of our comfort range, but having completely unknown terrain below us, we made a collective decision to head down.

Wyatt navigating an interesting section as we continued along the ridge

The ridge was exposed and had a few technical sections

This is near where we turned back. With unknown terrain ahead, we didn't want to downclimb this section.

While Laura and I would take a connecting ridgeline back down into the basin below the Apostles, Wyatt chose to head the opposite direction and add a few additional Centennial peaks to his rapidly growing summit list.

Wyatt heading off toward Emerald, Iowa and Missouri Peaks

Laura and I returned to the car at 2:15 pm and headed home while Wyatt hiked into the night. I received a text from him around 10 pm stating he was safe and back to his vehicle as well. The best days are the ones with the best people and I am happy that we all made the effort to meet in this beautiful alpine playground.

The leaves were beautiful and we took a few pictures on our way back through Winfield

Colorado River Ruby-Horsetheif Canyon Float Trip

September 13-14, 2024
Colorado River, Ruby-Horsethief Canyon

A few months back while canyoneering in Escalante, Utah, our friend Lin mentioned that he had been a rafting guide years ago. I told him that if he ever wanted to do a rafting trip to let us know and we would jump at the opportunity. A few weeks later, he reached out talking about a family trip with his family and invited Laura, myself and Hazel along.

Lin had done this particular float trip a few times and suggested an itinerary that he thought would work well for our group. Laura made it a point to obtain the river and camping permits while Lin would supply the raft and experience.

The group getting ready to launch

Laura, Hazel and I loaded up the Jeep and drove to the rafting put in at Loma, CO on Saturday morning. Hazel and I hung out while Laura drove to our river exit at Westwater, UT and was picked up by Lin's family, the Saxey's. Becky, Brant, Danielle and Matthew, along with Lin's nephew, Jacob. We all met back at the Loma river put in and loaded up two rafts with all of our camping, cooking and rafting gear. Sometime around 2:30 we were off and floating! While the river was flowing very slowly, the scenery was amazing. We had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and good company. Water fights with water guns were had, wild swims in the river when anyone got too hot and great conversations.

Laura and Hazel enjoying the kayak

The Saxeys on the blue boat and Jacob, Justin, Lin and Avery on the yellow boat

Justin and Hazel took a few swims in the Colorado River

Hazel had so much fun playing and swimming that she wore herself out before we reached camp

The scenery floating down the canyons was amazing

With much paddling, we reached our camp for the first night, Blackrocks 1 at 6:45 pm. Everyone set up camp and tents and Laura and I cooked the group tacos for dinner. The group was hungry and the tacos and fixings were a hit.

Setting up camp at Blackrocks 1

Our camp on the banks of the Colorado River

The following morning was full of relaxing and looking out over the river, just enjoying being out and away. Laura and my tacos were outdone by the Saxey's who brought pancakes with homemade jams and butters along with orange juice. I made coffee in the Jetboil to round out the most amazing breakfast.

Hazel playing in the river before breakfast

Hazel enjoying breakfast on the riverbank

Hazel made friends with Dani and they explored the area while we took the tent down

After relaxing a bit and letting our breakfast settle, we once again boarded the boats and headed down river. The only stop we made was at narrower stretch of river through some more black rocks to do some exploring and cliff diving. After an hour or so of goofing off we again headed down river to our exit point at Westwater. Laura and I ran the others back to pick up cars and while we were bummed to have had such a short weekend on the water, we were happy to have had the new experience. Hazel liked it so much that we will be planning another river trip, although over perhaps 3 or 4 days in the next year!

Hazel with her squirt gun

Laura and Hazel on the kayak

The river crew at blackrocks

Lin paddling while Laura and Hazel play

Avery and Hazel plotting to squirt someone when they get within range

The cliff jumping rocks

The cliff jumpers floating down the river after jumping

Hazel and Avery playing in the mud

Hazel peering through a hole in the rock that looks like a giant eyeball

Hazel and Avery playing at the river's edge where we stopped for lunch

Jacob entertaining himself

Back on the river, Hazel got a kick out of playing with Lin

Meanwhile, the Saxeys took a nap while Becky paddled

Although the children didn't speak too much, Hazel followed Avery around and played next to him every chance she got. She was happy to have another young person along.

Colorado's Centennials Finisher - Jupiter Mountain and Sunlight Spire

Jupiter Mountain 13,836’ and Sunlight Spire 13,996'

August 30 - September 2, 2024

Labor Day weekend is popular in Chicago Basin, but Laura reserved herself, Hazel and me tickets on the Silverton-Durango train. Wyatt, Isaac, Nicole and their girls would join us as well. We all met up at the train station in Durango on Friday morning and caught up before loading our backpacks into the cargo car of the historic train. The ride is scenic as you leave Durango and the open-air cars is where we would all congregate. Hazel was excited that her friends were coming camping and Laura and I were ready to stand atop our final summit of Colorado's highest 100 mountains. We would also attempt to reach the summit of Sunlight Spire at 13,999', reached by it's easiest route by a 5.10 crack.

Hazel was so happy that Taylor and Kayla were coming with us

The 6 miles into Chicago Basin went by easy. Wyatt and I hiked together as Hazel, Laura, Nicole and the girls walked the trail following the cascading falls together. Isaac went ahead and found a good camp site in the lower basin. When Wyatt and I made it there, we agreed it was a good spot and set up tents before the girls made it to camp.

Hazel walked the entire way into Chicago Basin with Taylor, who was very gracious and held her hand and kept her motivated and entertained for hours of hiking

Our tent setup in Chicago Basin

Hazel played in the hammock with Taylor

For our first full day in the basin, Laura, Hazel, Wyatt and I chose to attempt Sunlight Spire. We left camp early, knowing that Hazel would take a long time to complete the hike and climb to the base of the route. The approach was class 4, the highest difficulty Hazel had attempted on her own outside of proper, roped, technical climbing. The three of us hiked into the upper basin as the sun arose and Hazel was doing amazing along the well beaten trail. We hiked around the upper lakes and eventually into the boulder field that needs to be navigated toward Sunlight Spire.

Hazel wanted to take a photo by every cairn to see if she was taller than it or not

Hazel and Wyatt by one of the many cairns. Wyatt even carried the rope for us.

After taking a rest and putting on our helmets, we began the lengthy scramble to 13,900' and the base of our intended route. Hazel made easy work of the scramble, although it did take us several hours! At the base of the route, Wyatt and I uncoiled the rope and I racked up with cams and stoppers to place in the crack and protect the route. Starting off I was able to climb cleanly, placing cams and clipping stuck stoppers from previous parties. By the halfway point of the route, I had tired as I was far out of climbing shape from not being on a rope for almost three years. I asked Laura to take slack and rested for a minute before continuing on, placing pro as I progressed to the top of the climb.

Hazel waiting for our turn to climb

Wyatt on the lower pitch

Justin leading the second pitch

Laura muddling her way up

The summit had been obtained and I was proud that I was able to climb as well as I did having not been on a rope for so long. I belayed Laura to the top of the climb and then Wyatt gave it a shot.

Justin and Laura on the summit of Sunlight Spire

The spire was a fun summit, but unless you're wanting to climb it for personal satisfaction, really not worth carrying all that gear up there for 50' of climbing.

Justin leading the Spire with Laura, Wyatt and Hazel belaying and waiting on the ledge below

Laura and Hazel tandem rappelling down

Hiking off the peak, we had almost reached the lakes in the upper basin again when Laura and I talked about a potential route across and over to Jupiter Mountain. We agreed that Hazel would likely be tired the following day and that she may enjoy hanging out in camp rather than climbing another mountain. I chose to cut over a ridgeline and across a basin that led to the route up Jupiter. Downclimbing a loose gulley was the only sketchy part of the route, and I made excellent time ascending the easy slopes and gullies leading to the summit. I let out a loud whoop and although I was all alone, the solidarity of a solo summit was a fine way of completing my goal of climbing Colorado's 100 highest mountains.

Hazel was in great spirits as we hiked back to camp, she was having fun spotting pikas and even a baby mountain goat

I jogged down back to camp, arriving near dinnertime and relaxed for the evening.

Hazel, Justin and Wyatt back at camp relaxing

Hazel enjoying dinner in her zanyan (Hazel's name for a table and chair setup in nature)

The next morning, Wyatt, Laura and the others got a 5 am start and successfully summitted Jupiter, thus completing her goal of climbing Colorado's 100 highest mountains. While I was bummed to not be there to celebrate with Laura, I was happy that Wyatt was there. He was proud and I believe he made the final climb fun for Laura.

Laura's final centennial, Jupiter Mountain

The whole gang on the summit of Jupiter Mountain

Hazel and I spent the day around camp, drinking hot tea and roaming the trail toward the upper basin. We spent time throwing rocks in the stream and generally had a great day.

Hazel playing in the creek

Justin, Wyatt, Taylor and Hazel enjoying a little down time by the creek

That night at camp, weather moved in and a hailstorm blasted our camp. It was definitely one of the worst storms I had sat through in a tent. While we ate dinner, the hail blasted us for over an hour, piling up 4 or 5 inches of hail outside. Hazel jammed to Thunderstruck while wearing earplugs because of the noise. We were worried that the tent would not hold up, but were happy that it did without any issues, leaks or tears.

Hazel wasn't even phased by the weather; it was party time in the tent with loud music to drown out the hail

We had to keep knocking the hail off the tent as it kept coming down

Following the storm, we all cleared our tents, grabbed anything left out around camp and retired to bed before hiking back out to the train the next morning. We were so proud of Hazel for her amazing hiking and climbing this weekend and were both happy to be Colorado Centennial's Finishers!

Back down in Needleton, we met other climbers and traded adventure stories. Hazel was the youngest, but she fit right in with the crew and the stories