Quandary Peak

The 13th highest at 14,265ft.

My 2nd successful fourteener climb!

1/14/95 Climbed w/ a huge group of people including Rick, Vance, Andy, and others

I have successfully climbed this fourteener twice. My first attempt was on January 14, 1995, yes that’s right, a winter climb. There were many of us climbing this day so I will save you from a list of names. We drove all the way to the Blue Lakes spillway. We climbed straight up the south face in the snow. This to me was like climbing up oiled marbles!!! I was in absolutely no shape that day. It was January and I hadn’t done anything that physical all winter. Much of the time for me was spent climbing three feet and sliding down 2 feet (at least I was making progress). When I got to the top, everybody else had started eating lunch. It was snowing so there was no view, I couldn’t even sign in, and the wind was blowing so hard I really didn’t enjoy my lunch time rest. My Snickers bar was frozen solid and there were ice crystals in my tuna fish sandwich. The best part of the climb came next. We all sat on our rain ponchos with our ice axes trailing and had the best glissade down the south face. My knees were very happy that they wouldn't be abused. We made it down very quickly! When I climbed Quandary I really didn’t have any good winter clothes. To keep the top of me warm I wore two T-shirts, a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, a windbreaker, and a Jean jacket. I actually stayed fairly warm!!!

6/21/97 climbed w/ Rob W. and Marie C.

The second attempt climbing Quandary was June 21, 1997. This was a much more pleasant climb. The weather was perfect!!! Marie, Rob and I met in Colorado Springs at 6:00 a.m. We started at the trailhead at 8:30. This climb we went up the ridge from the east. We didn’t have much trouble with snow until the very last part of the climb to the summit. We had a very relaxing lunch. I had apparently taken the rock owned by a pica because he screamed at me the whole time. We also saw a pair of ptarmigan losing their white winter colors and getting the brownish summer ones. The hike down was difficult for Marie because she is not to sure-footed in the snow. Rob grabbed one arm and I grabbed the other. We practically ran down the snow fields. Apparently, Rob and I gave Marie enough security to feel comfortable running partially out of control. The last snow field (snow slide more like) dropped us into a muddy area. I almost fell but somehow I spun a 360 and managed not to lose control. My boots gained ten pounds of mud but the hike back to the car managed to loosen most of it. We were greeted at the car by a swarm of mosquitoes. I guess that’s why they call it the Mosquito Range!

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