Bronco Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 (edited) Trip: Eldorado Peak, NCNP - East Ridge Date: 7/28/2013 Trip Report: I failed to win the debate (as usual) over objectives so Juan and I took a hike up Eldorado to get some exercise. Sunday morning I was late to the rendezvous, we stopped at Starbucks, the Ranger Station and then part of the way to the trail head drove 10 minutes back toward Marble Mount to get a signal strong enough to call home one last time setting the apathetic pace for the rest of the day. Since Juan is old and lazy and I’m fat and mostly ignorant, we left helmets and our rope in the truck and departed the Trail head at the crack of 8:41 am, arthritic desk jockey disposition mitigated by judicious Advil and sunscreen. Juan had new boots to break in and I was excited to document the carnage that ensued. Unfortunately, nary a blister was observed and Juan retaliated by mercilessly mocking my compression shorts. We meandered up the trail, sweat mixing with the clouds of dust and picked our way through the talus, discussing the Mariners turn around, favorite Norman Maclean stories and the virtues of ear/nose hair. I was surprised by the healthy snowpack once in Roush basin considering the frequent sunny days this summer. 2013 may turn out to have a good Fall ice climbing season. John Styling the East Ridge Token Snow Arête photo The final ascent to the summit was uneventful and it was great to relax on the summit rocks while reminiscing about peaks we’ve climbed and yet to attempt. Some excitement on the descent, I was briefly detained in a slide alder thicket and discovered this small pile of shoes. We let them be in case they were some form of sacrificial alter to the snaffle or some such scheme. We briefly lost the trail just before crossing the river where the sudden swarm of mosquitoes compelled us to forge our own log crossing on less than desirable logs. After a short bush whack, we were greeted at the truck by yet another multitude of all manner of flying insects at 5:30 pm. We quickly changed and headed to the Buffalo Run for some much deserved nourishment. It was fun to see so many folks out enjoying the weather but I’m sure we had the most fun which makes us the best climbers. Gear Notes: Advil, sunscreen Approach Notes: It may be steep but at least it's hot and dusty! Edited August 1, 2013 by Bronco Quote
JasonG Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 For old, fat, and lazy, you guys clocked in with a pretty impressive RT time! Eldo is always a great day out in the hills, glad you had perfect weather to enjoy it. Quote
Juan Sharp Posted August 1, 2013 Posted August 1, 2013 Hey Bronco, do you think that group of Mounties saw the same bear that we heard about? Hope they came out OK! Juan Quote
rob Posted August 1, 2013 Posted August 1, 2013 I'm disappointed there were no photos of the compression shorts. Quote
Juan Sharp Posted August 1, 2013 Posted August 1, 2013 Trust me you're better off without the visual. Quote
bobinc Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 Compression shorts... Is that a corrective for responding to one too many internet enhancement ads? Quote
sepultura Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 Sweet! Eldorado is always worthy. Looking forward to some fall skiing Ryan! Quote
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