Mount Lindsey (14er)

One of the last weekends in July, everyone (Lindsey, Alison, Jimmy, Z, Dave and myself) finally had a flexible enough schedule for us all to climb Mount Lindsey (14,042 ft) together. Although the drive to the mountain was a great adventure on its own, we all were able to meet up at the same location around the same time (even though some left hours ahead of the others). The first dirt road was a lot of fun driving in at night. Not knowing how steep the dropoffs were or how deep the streams were added to the excitement. On a couple occasions, I needed to get out and wade though the water to make sure the Blazer would make it.

Alison and I were the first to make to it to the trail (about 1 hr drive on the single lane dirt road). We claimed probably the best location for the view of the horseshoe canyon, a thin spot delicately perched above a 150-200ft drop into valley below. Since we were the last to leave, we expected the others to be there, but did not see any sign of them on drive in. So we thought of contingency plans for about 5-10 minutes, then we heard the rumble of Jimmy’s Xterra come around the bend. Everyone set up camp, enjoyed some whiskey, and made food to fuel us for the next day.

Alison had a rough start to the night. While everyone is setting up camp, we heard a softly spoken cry coming from the edge of the cliff. “Oh no……………..Look out…..” we hear as if it was yelled from a dainty mouse. Apparently Alison’s sleeping bag had come loose and decided to commit suicide by jumping off the cliff. We all expected it to be long gone and washed down stream by the river at the bottom. But Lindsey was able to recover the bag which was in a pile of brush at the bottom of the cliff. The cliff would also try to claim a Frisbee the next morning.

The next morning, we awoke at 6ish and started the 8 mile round trip (~4000ft of elevation gain). We were then graced with another delirious Alison comment, “What’s all that white stuff on the mountain?” and without missing a beat everyone responded that it was cocaine. Alison’s rough day continued. The trail crossed the stream several times making those lives without boots (namely Alison) very difficult. The valley was very wet and vibrant, it reminded me of the PA woods. Wild flowers were scattered everywhere and dew dripped from each one. We then started the ascent up through pine and boulder fields. We passed a old mine along the way, and we told Alison that this was an old crack/cocaine mine. We snacked at tree line right below the cloud level at 12000ft.

The trail wound up a basin through rampant marmot fields. We couldn’t see anything at this time as we were socked in by clouds. Again we rested on the ridge base to the bottom of Lindsey’s ridge and beside the iron nipple. Here we regrouped for the finally assault up the ridge. There are 2 basic routes to the summit. The first is a 2nd class skree route consisting of lose dirt and crumbly rock. This is dirty but pretty straight forward route that wraps alongside the mountain. The second is a 3rd/4th class route, which follows the ridge line and involves some delicate moves.

We decided to neither, but both at the same time. Starting off on the 2nd class route, we dramatically cut up the face to mountain through some untrack rocks. To minimize rock accident from our large group we all spread out and found our own ways up the mountain. I’m fairly certain the routes we took were 3rd and 4th class too. It was pretty exposed and certainly very difficult, if not impossible to climb down with out ropes. After making it through each of our own sections, we all made it to the ridge. From here we navigated through the clouds, to the false summit and the summit of Lindsey.

Here we took the obligatory pictures, and signed the 14er log. Finally, on that day everyone mounted Lindsey, and Lindsey even mounted herself.

After 15-20 mins, of hanging out we made our way down using the skree route. Slipping and sliding down the mountain, we caused many of rock-slides. The decent was fairly rapid, only stopping for pictures, food, and that everyone was still alive. We passed through the marmot fields again, and were sternly observed by the viscous fat beasts. We complete the round trip in about 7-7.5hrs, faster than the suggested pace. Go us!

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