Getting high again.....this time my destination was Traver Peak 13,852ft. Where's Traver you ask well its just north of Mount Democrat. My adventure started out from the Wheeler 4x4 trailhead just east of Montgomery Reservoir, which is near Hoosier Pass. I hiked along the Wheeler 4x4 trail most of the way to Wheeler Lake until it seemed like a river was coming down the road which then caused me to bushwack up through some willows next to the stream coming out of the lake. After leaving the Wheeler Lake area I had the pleasure of hiking up a nice 45degree snow slope for about 250 metres which wasn't bad because the snow was still pretty stable under foot. From here on it was just straight forward until I reached the rocky east ridge of Traver which is very similar to that of Quandary Peak. About a third of the way along the ridge I came to a collection of rocks with what looked like a gravestone with a name and the date 1881 on it? Any history buffs out there? So after 3.5 hours and about 5.5 miles later I was on the summit. The summit is rocky but about 10 feet from the summit I was able to find room to setup my tent, this was to be my second highest ever campsite. According to the summit log I was the 5th person to make it to the summit this year. Also on the tops lies a small cross with a plaque, with the name Harold Traver on it .
Ok enough of me rambling on .....here's some pictures.
Tried to google Traver Peak, and mainly only found stuff on summitpost.com, but no info on the history. Another site said it might be #83 on Colorado's 100 highest, but it's not always considered a separate peak. Anyway, I really like # 1 for the light and the composition line, and the color and mood in #6. Looks like you had great weather and a great trip!
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 10, 2009 at 10:36 AM
A few thoughts:
1. Awesome photos! You were right, that was a heckuva sunset. I could see these in a calendar.
2. What's a metre?
3. How coincidental that that a guy named Traver apparently died on Traver Peak. It's like when Lou Gehrig died of Lou Gehrig's Disease. I mean, what are the odds of that?!
That 1st shot is wonderful, love the sweeping arc! The other shots are also very good, besides helping to orient myself to where you shot from. Having climbed Democrat,Lincoln and Bross about 25 years ago, these bring back memories. Did you glissade down on your way off the peak?
Posted by Paul Wegemann on July 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
As Todd said, these could all be calendar shots. The first one is one of the best mountain comps I've seen. Absolutely incredible. I'll bet it looks really good in B&W too. I love the lighting in #2. It has a fine art feel to it. #6 is also really appealing to me with wonderful light and a great comp. Keep 'em coming Jody!
Posted by Jack Brauer on July 10, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Awesome Jody! That's nuts you camp so high... I guess you weren't worried about lightning with that nice weather. The first and last are my faves.
Great stuff, as always, Jody! I like em all, but i really like that 'window' shot, very cool. Since you're into 13ers now, maybe you can do Lizard Head in winter.
Jody, these are all very good, but hte first one is just amazing!!! I love the curve in the range of the mountains you display in the shot. I would say number 3 is next for me.
I love the first shot. The depth of the sweeping ridgeline really shows what it's like to stand on an edge and take in that kind of view, and that GREEN tundra looks amazing and makes me almost feel a breath of fresh air. Wonderful. Thanks for the trip story too--very interesting stuff.
Discussion
27 repliesOk enough of me rambling on .....here's some pictures.
1. Awesome photos! You were right, that was a heckuva sunset. I could see these in a calendar.
2. What's a metre?
3. How coincidental that that a guy named Traver apparently died on Traver Peak. It's like when Lou Gehrig died of Lou Gehrig's Disease. I mean, what are the odds of that?!
thanks for posting it