From: "Timothy P. Edinger" <tpedinger@corb.net> To: <CRMTR@ParkerPress.com> Subject: Trip Report - Mount Lindsey Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 09:10:53 -0600
Steve:
Here is a trip report from the Sierra Blanca last week. Recommend you post to the CMC website to provide BETA for other climbers. Good job. Nice site. Regards, Tim
Trip Report - Mount Lindsey <http://www.sangres.com/lindsey.htm> (Height 14,081 - Rank: 43rd) Date: 5 July 2001
Ascent Route: 2.1.1.3 as Described by Dawson (From Lily Lake Trailhead, south to Nipple Creek, then West Ridge From Iron Nipple > Then North Slope Traverse.
Descent Route: Same. Difficulty Easy To Moderate. Elevation Base: 10,600; Summit: 14,042; Elevation Gain: 3,442. Distance: From Lily Lake Trailhead to Summit: 4.0 miles; Summit to Trailhead (4.0 miles; Total Distance: 8 miles. Time Start 6:45 a.m.; Summit 11:15 a.m.; Finish 2:25 p.m.
Description: From the trailhead south along the Huerfano River the trail was moderate and very beautiful. The Huerfano River was running very high at this time of year and there were numerous intermittent streams that had to be crossed. Crossing the river itself from the west side to the east side required wading, however on the return, a temporary log bridge (three logs) was found 200 meters to the south of the established crossing site. The trail was generally free of obstacles; a good Class II hike. Once on the east side of the river, the trail continued along a relatively flat route through mature mixed stands of pine/spruce. The trail was very nice through dense forest – few rocks – very easy. At Nipple Creek, the trail turns noticeably to the east and we began significant elevation gain. We stayed on the north side of nipple creek and climbed some talus slopes and used switchbacks to skirt “The Point” or the western ridge of Iron Nipple. We observed a mine adit on the south side of Nipple Creek during our ascent, but did not explore further. At approximately 11,300 elevation the dogs and I crossed Nipple Creek and then gained the top of the headwall. We came upon two female hikers with dogs and then took our first rest. From the top of the headwall, we then crossed a high alpine valley with rolling hills, heading in an eastern direction to the prominent saddle on the connecting ridge between Point 13,800 and the southern approach to Iron Nipple. Once we gained a position on this saddle, we rested again and linked up once again with the other hikers. From there, the dogs and I led the way and gained the western connecting ridge from Iron Nipple to Mount Lindsey. The western approach along the ridgeline was bare of snow, but as you skirted to the north slope and the traverse ended, there was tough Class II climbing. A few hundred feet below the summit, several Class III pitches were encountered. We took the approach described by Dawson as 2.1.1.3, which was a high traverse along the northern face of Mount Lindsey, and then a final scramble up some Class III talus to gain the summit. There was a false summit approximately ” mile to the west of the true summit that required more determination. We descended slightly, and then gained the summit from the west. The descent route was basically the same, with care being required on the scree that was prominent in all of the couloirs dropping off the north side of the summit. We descended down an unremarkable couloir until we reached our traverse route, and then headed west. The dogs held up well, especially during the Class III scramble required during the last 300 feet. During the return trip, we met several families looking for Lily Lake (there were way lost, with no map). We also had an afternoon thunderstorm. The weather was sunny and warm. The temperature was 40 Degrees @ trailhead; 70 degrees at summit. My climbing were Winston and Milo (my two English Sheepdogs)
Timothy P. Edinger Director of Operations Analytical Systems, Inc. www.TeamASI.com <http://www.TeamASI.com>
"Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." --Thomas Paine