Vestal's Wham Ridge + Trinity Peaks from Molas Pass скачать в хорошем качестве

Vestal's Wham Ridge + Trinity Peaks from Molas Pass

Tracks "The Breaking of the Fellowship", "Lothlorien", "Gandalf Falls" by Howard Shore Routes 8/30: Molas Pass to the Vestal basin (backpacking approach) 12 mi / 3.47k vert / started @ 8.9k vert / ended @ 11.7k vert / 7 hrs 8/31: Vestal Wham Ridge to Trinity Traverse loop 4.9 mi / 3.44k vert / 11.5 hrs 9/1: Vestal basin back to Molas Pass 11.8 mi / 2.5k vert / 5.5 hrs Thoughts - Approach We started from Molas Pass, which is the incorrect starting point. You want to start from Molas Pass trailhead which is a mile down towards Silverton, near "Molas Lake". Although harder than taking Durango/Silverton train in, this allowed us to do it in 3 days. However, this is considerably more work as the first thing you do is drop 2.5k vert from Molas Pass down to the Animas River (where the railroad passes). On the flip side, this trail down gives incredible views and was well worth the hike down (but of course, that means hiking back up it on the way out). Note that the last 1.5k vert is at the end of the approach, and is quite steep for a backpacking trail. It'll really take the energy out of you if you're backpacking, and is why we took so long (7 hours). Thoughts - Camping Ideally, we would've had a 4th day. Vestal & Arrow on day 2, then Trinity Peaks on day 3. Vestal & the Trinities made a packed 2nd day and it would've been nicer to have more time to hang out in such an incredible place. Instead, part of the group knocked out Arrow on day 3 just before we hiked out. The 11.4k camp site/field had around 20 tents (it was Labor Day weekend). We camped at the 11.8k field which collected a lot more moisture than lower areas. Ideal camp site would've been the dry, forested areas somewhere around 11.5k-11.6k. Thoughts - Vestal Vestal's Wham Ridge is sometimes rope-protected, but like many people, we felt it was not needed for anyone who's played around on the class 4 14ers. The first half is a grass ramp that leads into a slabby section which itself resembles a more solid version of the "Freeway" class 4 route on the 2nd Flat Iron (in Boulder). The 5.4 crack crux requires 2 moves that put full weight on arms. After that, the steeper section is very blocky and no longer slabby, making it quite easy to get through. Only took us about 2 hours total with the only route finding that requires attention to detail being locating the 5.4 crack. Thoughts - Trinities Traverse We descended Vestal's class 2 route, which isn't that remarkable outside of the incredible views of the Chicago Basin 14ers, Pigeon, etc. The traverse over to the Trinities is an easy class 1/2. Route finding in the Trinities resembles a typical 13er, in that there isn't a trail to follow. Additionally, they're quite complex (unlike Vestal), so there isn't a clear path. Be wary of GPX routes you download online; they aren't official and just resemble what someone else made work for them. The descent off each of the Trinities were all loose class 2. Below, I describe the ascents for each. West Trinity starts off loose then turns into a very nice class with numerous class 4 options. Trinity Peak (the centennial peak which is the center one) was a great deal harder. Staying ridge direct for at least a tiny bit affords some incredible views with beautiful exposure. Eventually, you make your way of the ridge (except for 1 of our group members, who stayed on it) to keep it class 4. We ended up with some low 5h class and 1 of our group members had to make a move that was very exposed. East Trinity was pretty solid on the way up. Mostly class 3 with some optional class 4, and one class 5 move that we made (seen at 6:04 - 6:20). It felt more exposed than West Trinity not as hard as Trinity Peak. 0:00 Intro 0:17 Day 1 - Approach from Molas Pass 0:26 Running to see the steam train 0:42 Continuing approach 0:58 Wild raspberries 1:18 Day 2 - Vestal's Wham Ridge 3:48 Traverse over to the Trinities 3:58 West Trinity 4:33 Trinity Peak 5:59 East Trinity 7:24 Day 3 - Hike out