First Flatiron

From Chautauqua, up to the First, started with the Fandango start, then onto Baker's Way and the North Arete to the summit, rapped off, then back to Chautauqua.

Started at 6:12 pm. Got a late pass from Lori to get out, so I missed the First Flatiron stage of the Tour de Flatirons. I wouldn't have done the official route anyway but would've probably done this alternate route. Anyway, I saw the first handful of scramblers finish, then headed up.

Didn't push too hard on the approach. Passed the remaining scramblers as they ran down toward Chautauqua. Stepped onto the First at an easy spot, well below the start of Baker's Way. Pretty sure this is the start of Fandango, or at least meets the start of Fandango. Veered onto Baker's Way, then up to the North Arete. The daylight was getting dim here, so I climbed cautiously.

At the summit, put on my headlamp and rapped off. Then jogged slowly back to Chautauqua.

0:00 - Chautauqua
21:31 - stepping onto the First
36:07 - top of the First
47:04 - on the ground, starting down
1:05:18 - Chautauqua

Superfly

Bierstadt

Climbed Bierstadt solo from Guanella Pass. Started at 1:35 pm. A balmy 50+ degrees at the trailhead. Bit breezy. Carried most of the usual winter gear in the pack (with the exception of a down jacket). Jogged a bit but mostly hiked to the summit. Sort of lost the snow-covered trail at 13,500' or so and headed more directly toward the summit. Wind picked up quite a bit near the top. Hung out on top for a few minutes (pulled on shell, hat, and gloves), briefly pondering continuing on to Evans, but decided to get back home earlier. Slow jog on the descent with the heavier pack (though I did dump most of the two quarts of water I'd carried).

0:00 - Guanella Pass TH
1:25:15 - summit
1:34:12 - started down
2:26:00 - Guanella Pass TH

MontrailHurricaneRidge (really should retire/replace these)

Boulder Reservoir bike ride with Mia

Went out to the Res in the evening to briefly cheer on George Z, who was running the Boulder 100. It was probably around 7:40 pm when Mia and I started biking around the east side of the Res. We took things slow in the dark. Mia loved it and cheered on runners as we'd pass them in either direction. Found George on his way back just after we passed Coot Lake. Turned back and followed George and gang back to the start/finish (around 8:30 pm). Didn't hang out too long as Mia was tired but did chat a bit with Tim W and Bob S.

Satan's Slab

Climbed the East Face of Satan's Slab with Bill W and Mark O. This was the last of Roach's *Classic* routes for me.

Approached via lower Skunk Canyon. As we passed the talus field just below the Mesa Trail, I noticed a bear above us, moving up the talus.

Once at Satan's Slab, we weren't sure exactly where to start the route. We eventually started out on the rock well below the start of the route. We sort of traversed up the lower portion of the rock, never too high above the slope below us (rather silly), until finally reaching what we determined to be the start of the route.

I led our first pitch, up and left to a bulge, further left to overcome the bulge, then back up and right to a belay stance. A bit exciting, as I haven't led squat in recent years. Bill took the next pitch, traversing right to reach the black water "groove," then up to a belay right of the groove. I led the third pitch, back left into the groove, then up to the large pothole which is at the top of Roach's second pitch. I got in no gear on this pitch. Again, a bit exciting for me. Bill led up the last of the groove from the pothole. Mark and I briefly simul-climbed behind Bill until we reached the crux, where Bill put us on belay. We then simul-climbed all the way to the summit from here, with Bill leading.

Descended to the northeast, crossing under the Amoeboid, and reached the Royal Arch Trail. Descended to Woods Quarry, then down to Kohler Mesa, and back to lower Skunk.

A bit long for a pre-work scramble, but an awesome morning!

0:00 - Deer Valley Rd/Hollyberry Ln
3:18:46 - Deer Valley Rd/Hollyberry Ln

StreakBlueB and rock shoes

Third Flatiron

Climbed the Third by moonlight with Chad K. Tom K and Kirk W were also out there, along with a couple of their friends. And one other party of two.

This was Chad's first time up the Third, and probably his first multi-pitch route, and his first rappels. He did great and really enjoyed the outing. My scouting mission the previous morning proved useful, as I easily located each of the eyebolts, which made things easier (ie, I didn't need to turn on my light to place gear except for a few pieces on the first and last pitches and for the one gear belay).

At the summit, we hung out a bit and let Tom's crew rap ahead of us. I wanted to be very cautious on the descent and didn't want to be rushed. We did two raps to get off. On both, I set up Chad's rappel and then tied off both strands below his device and clipped each into the bolts. I then rapped with Chad rapping second after unclipping the knots below him and with me giving him a fireman's belay. Worked nicely, but took a bit of time to ensure that everything was set up safely.

Perfect weather on the evening. Just a bit of a breeze on the summit. Nice, clear sky.

Approximate times:

7:03 pm - started from Chautauqua
7:35 pm - East Bench
7:50 pm - starting up the face
9:20 pm - summit
9:50 pm - started rapping
10:50 pm - on the ground
11:30 pm - back at Chautauqua

Superfly

Third Flatiron, Green

Started at 6:36 am. Hiked pretty easy from Chautauqua up to the Third. Changed shoes, then took my time on the face, locating each of the eyebolts in anticipation of a moonlight ascent. Did two raps to get off. Heard Bill W and crew scouting the Regency/Royal Arch/Fifth route. And saw Tony K pass below heading up Green as I set up the second rap.

Continued up Green, stashing my pack a little ways up. Passed Tony and friend as they descended Greenman. Descended the same way.

0:00 - Chautauqua
25:13 - East Bench
30:09 - starting up the Third
44:45 - top of the Third
1:04:24 - starting up Green
1:28:39 - Green
1:59:21 - Chautauqua

StreakBlueB and rock shoes

Green

From Gregory TH, Amph, Saddle Rock, Greenman, Green; down the same.

Started at 4:35 pm. Goal was to mostly hike it today but to hike it hard. Felt good throughout. Quite surprised by my ascent time, given my gluttony and relative inactivity of late. 19 seconds off my best this year and 30 seconds off my PR.

Ran into Eric L at the trailhead and chatted with him a bit before starting out. Also saw Aron R's truck as I pulled in and passed him as he descended upper Amph. Saw more runners than usual on the trails today.

0:00 - Gregory TH
7:58 - Amph/Saddle Rock
22:08 - Saddle Rock/Greenman
39:08 - Green summit
48:27 - started down
1:09:24 - Gregory TH

StreakBlueB

Green

From Chautauqua, Baseline, Amph, Saddle Rock, Greenman, Green; down the same.

Started at 8:19 pm. Night hike with Jeff V.

0:00 - Chautauqua
7:35 - Baseline/Amph (Jeff had to swap batteries)
16:18 - Amph/Saddle Rock
32:43 - Saddle Rock/Greenman
52:22 - Green
58:35 - started down
1:33:37 - Chautauqua

HokaStinson

Aspen Four Pass Loop

Ran the Four Pass Loop clockwise with Bill W.

Started at 6:42 am.

0:00 - Maroon Lake trailhead
26:03 - Crater Lake junction (ie, Buckskin Pass Trail junction)
1:56:29 - West Maroon
2:35:13 - Frigid Air
4:52:19 - Trail Rider
6:32:27 - Buckskin
7:10:58 - Crater Lake junction
7:29:11 - Maroon Lake trailhead

HokaStinson

Green

From Chautauqua, up to the Third Flatiron access, to the NE Ridge, Greenman, Green; down Greenman, NE Ridge, First/Second access, Saddle Rock, Amph, Baseline back to Chautauqua.

Started at 7:02 am. With Jeff V, Tony K, and Brandon F.

0:00 - Chautauqua
53:50 - Green
59:19 - started down
1:29:31 - Chautauqua

StreakBlueB