La Plata Peak Northwest Ridge (Winter Attempt #3)

I attempted a winter ascent of La Plata Peak's Northwest ridge for the 3rd time on 2013-03-27. This is probably the most mentally and physically draining thing I have ever done. I got within 350 vertical feet of the summit but was so exhausted I was afraid the final push would make the decent too treacherous (due to total exhaustion). It was painful to get so close and have to turn back. That was 9.5 hours of hiking (including about 1 hour below tree line during which I made a poor route decision and had to turn around).

It was a beautiful day. Sorry these are just iPhone shots but I was in no state to screw with my real camera.