Wetterhorn Basin
Bruce and I carpooled out to Lake City late on a Friday night. Were cruised through Lake city around 1100Pm and made the trailhead by midnight. We had made plans to meet Barnoff in the morning, so we made a quick camp and watch as the milkyway took over the sky.
Around 5am, I heard the rumbling of exhaust, but turned over and fell asleep. Next thing I hear is a voice calling “nevko” through my bivy sack. Barnoff had arrived right on time. We packed up quickly and set off from the 2 wheel drive trailhead. Morning light had broken and we were able to start hiking without headlamps. After 20-30 mins, we had our first view of the Wetterhorn. Alpine glow was consuming the face and lit up the eastern rock like a candle.
We push along the trail to the base, passing multiple parties with our athletic pace. In the scree field, we stopped for a snack and were greeted by a pika. He bounded around and ultimately attacked me, going for my jugular (see video). Circle back we headed for the ridge line which we would take all the way to the summit. Snowpack was extremely low and the ridge was mostly packed red dirt down on the lower half. We had great views of the Grenadiers and other San Juan Peaks.
Halfway up, we made the technical section, which involved some 3rd class moves on ‘ok’ rock. We circled underneath the prow, and pushed to the final scramble headwall, which led to the summit. Here we graced with good weather, low wind, and great views. We sampled some coconut beer from another hiker and made our way back down.
On the way down, Bruce and I tagged the summit of the prow. Rolling further down the trail, we were stopped by a marmot overlord. He blocked out path until we paid tribute to him, either in blood or tasty bagel pieces. Once satisfied, he stood guard and let us pass by quietly, all while under his glossy death gaze (see pics).
When we made it back to the end of the trail, Barnoff and I head back to Lake City. (later on this night would encompass eating multiple times, find a magnet odyssey, walking to see 50 mile runners come in, dog sitting, rescuing dogs and deer from a river, and passing out on the floor of a house.) Bruce went on to Uncompahgre peak and rip off his catalytic converter.
