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Sneak Peak RSS

Snow, cold, and wind on Byers Peak this morning; winter is on its way. Byers is the prominent peak due West of the town of Fraser. I started the climb on my Mtn bike about a mile below the normal trail head parking lot and rode another 3 miles up the dirt road to where only foot traffic is allowed. From there, it is usually a straight forward 3 to 4 mile hike to the top. Today the trail and parts of the road were covered in a fresh blanket of snow which made it an extraordinary pre-winter ascent.   Early snow...

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We had made two previous attempts at Chimborozo over the years before we finally made it to the main summit for a first American ski descent and second ever.   Global warming and nearby volcano activity and the resulting ash has depleted the once beautiful snow climb to a difficult climb and peak that is rarely skiable due to massive penatentes.   The lower slopes entailed scrambling over 20 to 30 foot steps of solid ice but the pumas rock flakes frozen into the ice made it impossible to belay or use tools, and even crampons bounced off the surface.  ...

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Gorgeous morning on James Peak with crystal clear blue skies and fall colors. This is my favorite training peak located a short drive from Idaho  Springs up the Fall River Road to the town of Alice. Sunrise on Saint Mary's Glacier. Autumn colors on the tundra with Evans, Bierstadt , Square Top, Grays, and Torreys in the background. Over looking the Continental Divide with Winter Park and Fraser in the valley to the left.  Norbu on the summit of James Peak. More Fall colors overlooking Saint Mary's Lake with Evans and Bierstadt in the background. -Jim Gile

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Had a great day climbing five 13,000 foot peaks near Empire, Colorado with my brother Rob. This is a beautiful cirque that is capped by Woods (12,940 ft), Parnassus (13,574 ft), Bard (13,641 ft), Robeson (13,140 ft), and Engelmann (13,362 ft). Ok, Woods isn't quite 13 but it's close enough.   Saddle between Woods and Parnassus with Grays and Torreys in the background.   Rob and dogs on top of Parnassus.   Connecting ridge between Parnassus and Bard.   View of the cirque on the descent from Engelmann. - Jim Gile

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