La Plata

Pre-report
Date: Fri, Feb 18, 2006
Hike: La Plata Peak 14,336 feet
Route: Northwest Ridge via Lake Creek Trailhead, starting at 10,100 feet. We plan to hit the NW Ridge at timberline, and follow the ridge all the way to the summit, thus reducing the avalanche risk.
The hike is a Class 2 hike. Should be as easy as slogging through the snow can be. Elevation gain 4,300 feet. Round trip 9 miles.

Post-report
So, Jenni and I headed out of town at 3:30am. It was about 5 degrees, and snowing. Not the way to start a climbing day. We went on anyway, and just after passing through Woodland Park, the snow let up. We made trailhead by 6:30am and were hiking by 7am. It was 18 degrees there, with no wind! The peak was visible, although high clouds were covering up the sky.

The trail was already broken in until about ¾ mile from timberline. Through cautiously picking a trail we kept it fairly simple. True to other reports, when we hit the ridge we went around to the back side (East side) to gain access to the ridge crest. We had zero avalanche risk the whole way.

Once on the ridge, the wind picked up and the temp kept dropping. My thermometer stops working at about 5 deg. With the wind it must have been around -30. It was COLD, and the gusts that kept hitting us were huge. We would have to stop and brace with our poles to keep upright.

I carry hand warmers, but me philosophy has been to wait until I need them. I will not make that mistake again. My hands got so cold it was hard to get the hand warmers out and into use.

We knew that we were getting close to the top, but Jenni was getting worn out. As it turned out, we were about ¾ mile from the top, but Jenni turned back. She planned to slowly work her way back down the ridge, while I summitted then caught up with her. We had 2-way radios, so I felt pretty comfortable about it. I kept asking myself, when would I turn back? And the answer kept being: if conditions get worse. But the peak stayed clear, and as I was able to work my way off of the top of the ridge line, the wind decreased, so I pressed on. It took another 1:10 to make the summit, making it a 7 hour summit climb.

I caught up with Jenni at the end of the ridge, and together we returned to the car. It took about 4 hours from summit to car.

Lessons learned: (1) Start earlier with the hand warmers! (2) Plan more time for winter hikes. Probably about .75 miles per hour. (Verses 1 mile per hour in the summer with groups.)