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Winter on a Summer Day at the Foot of Longs Peak

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12 replies
Posted by Scott Borger on June 15, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Winter on a Summer Day at the Foot of Longs Peak
Last Friday, we (myself and 3 other climbers) left the Long's Peak trailhead at 2AM to climb the Notch Couloir on the east face of Long's Peak. This is a route that I've had my eye on for about two years. With the recent rain, it was hard to say what the conditions of the route were going to be like. We were hoping for solid snow and ice, but got slush with a few inches of powder instead. At the foot of the east face, the wind was really moving. At the top of Longs it was screaming. Evidence of recent sloughs, unstable snow and high winds made a strong case for not climbing the route, so we backed off and watched several spindrifts launch off the face. From my position at the foot of the east face, I turned around and took this shot (posted) during sunrise. A larger version (which looks much better) is posted as wallpaper here:

http://www.scottborger.com/photo.php?id=456&gallery=wallpaper

More photos from the trip:
http://www.scottborger.com/gallery.php?gallery=notchattempt
Posted by Jody Grigg on June 15, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Great series as always Scott! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Jack Brauer on June 15, 2009 at 12:07 PM
#452 is really awesome!
Posted by Dave Showalter` on June 15, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I agree on #452, and really like this Chasm lead shot! Great adventure work here, Scott! :toast:
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on June 15, 2009 at 12:36 PM
You've got some great early light shots in your trip gallery.
Even though you didn't get to climb the route, it still looks like you had a good morning workout. :biggrin:
Posted by Don Grall on June 15, 2009 at 12:37 PM
I like the posted shot, large version the best. 452 is also very,very good.. Looks like brutal conditions for a spring stroll about the mountain!
Posted by Scott Borger on June 15, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Bill, I must say that it was strange to have hiked 8-9 miles before 8AM. Hmm, everyone seems to like 452. It never struck me as especially good, but that's not new. My favorite photos often differ from those of others.
Posted by Morris McClung on June 15, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Another great series from the crazy dude and his friends.
Posted by Todd Caudle on June 15, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Wow, those are impressive! That shot looking up at the Diamond, and the last one, are just spectacular. They're all amazing!
Posted by Erik Stensland on June 15, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Wow, winter still reigns up there! I was thinking of shooting Chasm Lake with breaking ice but it looks like that's not going to happen this month! :eek: What a wild spring we've been having up here. Scott, I thought your photos were terrific, especially the one you posted as wall paper. Really some incredible shots! :toast:
Posted by Paul Wegemann on June 15, 2009 at 5:38 PM
You got some great images and a great hike to boot. 452 is my favorite too.
Posted by Stan Rose on June 15, 2009 at 7:54 PM
The shots on your site are all awesome! I think the on ehere is probably my least fav--and its still pretty darn nice! 51 is probably my fav, followed by 51. Congrats for making the smart decision to hold back. :cool:
Posted by Kelly Black on June 17, 2009 at 4:37 AM
Wow, those are great images! I really love #452. Very impressive.