The JZ
Mt. Colden - SE Slide Ascent / Trap Dyke Descent
Weeks ago I had planned on doing the SE slide on Colden and then descending via the trail down to Lake Arnold. However from out of nowhere toward the end of last week came the idea, "How about SE up, Trap down?"
I had never done the SE before, but have climbed up the Trap, but not on to the new Irene slide. So there were a number of variables to think about, and nobody that I talked to about my idea (which would include two parties that I met once I started my descent) was recommending it. I felt confident about my abilities, plus I figured if I felt uncomfortable at any point I could always double back. This of course would add a certain amount of time and length to my little adventure, but I was ready to deal with that.
In a nutshell - the weather was great, the approach was nice and cool and when I hit the SE and was exposed to the sun the updraft kept my temp down quite a bit. The base of the SE was really interesting, not to mention very fun - lots to look at and lots of route options. Further up where there was more exposure, watching the views evolve was great. I found the SE to be a pretty tame climb. I had my rock shoes with me, but I didn't use them until my descent. I used New Balance trail runners without issue. The last couple sections of the SE were the most challenging, but I felt very comfortable on them. I basically shot straight up the final slab sections and then into the herd path which was very easy to find as it's dead center at the top of the slide.
I met some very nice people on the summit, took in the views, and made some time to think about my plan to descend the Trap. I felt confident that I could do it, but the only thing I had for gear were my rock shoes, and I was going to be doing it solo.
When I started my descent I found a check inside, but that was because the steeper, top section of the slide had a fair amount of water on the very top of it, so finding my first few steps had me wondering. Beyond that it was short steps and lots of stopping to whisk off the debris that I was picking up on my shoes. Aside from the debris which was there but not a game stopper, I didn't run into anything the made me too uncomfortable.
I had to crab crawl a couple times, there was some reverse flake climbing, also some good spots for some toe jams. Overall though the rock was really good, very sticky with lots of spots for my feet to land secure.
About 3/4 of my way down the slide I ran into a couple. The guy didn't say too much as to my plan at first, and told me that he wouldn't recomend it. My response was, "Yeah, nobody is." I explained to him though that I had a fair amount of slides under my belt and was feeling good about my progress down the slide up until that point so he opened right up and talked to me about which way he thought I should head beyond where we could see. And well, his advice for exiting the slide was good. Where it drops into the Trap I went right and found some nice cracks and a few longish ledges which made for an easy downclimb.
Actually, the Trap was the easier part of the descent. There was only one instance when I had to double back a bit and re-route, but I didn't find anything that gave me trouble. The fact that it was as dry as it was was a helping hand.
Exiting the Trap and turning around was indescribable. I had set a goal, I had done well throughout my little adventure on the mountain, and I was able to walk away unharmed being able to say, "I did it." Needless to say it was a very good day.
Mt. Colden - SE Slide Ascent / Trap Dyke Descent
Weeks ago I had planned on doing the SE slide on Colden and then descending via the trail down to Lake Arnold. However from out of nowhere toward the end of last week came the idea, "How about SE up, Trap down?"
I had never done the SE before, but have climbed up the Trap, but not on to the new Irene slide. So there were a number of variables to think about, and nobody that I talked to about my idea (which would include two parties that I met once I started my descent) was recommending it. I felt confident about my abilities, plus I figured if I felt uncomfortable at any point I could always double back. This of course would add a certain amount of time and length to my little adventure, but I was ready to deal with that.
In a nutshell - the weather was great, the approach was nice and cool and when I hit the SE and was exposed to the sun the updraft kept my temp down quite a bit. The base of the SE was really interesting, not to mention very fun - lots to look at and lots of route options. Further up where there was more exposure, watching the views evolve was great. I found the SE to be a pretty tame climb. I had my rock shoes with me, but I didn't use them until my descent. I used New Balance trail runners without issue. The last couple sections of the SE were the most challenging, but I felt very comfortable on them. I basically shot straight up the final slab sections and then into the herd path which was very easy to find as it's dead center at the top of the slide.
I met some very nice people on the summit, took in the views, and made some time to think about my plan to descend the Trap. I felt confident that I could do it, but the only thing I had for gear were my rock shoes, and I was going to be doing it solo.
When I started my descent I found a check inside, but that was because the steeper, top section of the slide had a fair amount of water on the very top of it, so finding my first few steps had me wondering. Beyond that it was short steps and lots of stopping to whisk off the debris that I was picking up on my shoes. Aside from the debris which was there but not a game stopper, I didn't run into anything the made me too uncomfortable.
I had to crab crawl a couple times, there was some reverse flake climbing, also some good spots for some toe jams. Overall though the rock was really good, very sticky with lots of spots for my feet to land secure.
About 3/4 of my way down the slide I ran into a couple. The guy didn't say too much as to my plan at first, and told me that he wouldn't recomend it. My response was, "Yeah, nobody is." I explained to him though that I had a fair amount of slides under my belt and was feeling good about my progress down the slide up until that point so he opened right up and talked to me about which way he thought I should head beyond where we could see. And well, his advice for exiting the slide was good. Where it drops into the Trap I went right and found some nice cracks and a few longish ledges which made for an easy downclimb.
Actually, the Trap was the easier part of the descent. There was only one instance when I had to double back a bit and re-route, but I didn't find anything that gave me trouble. The fact that it was as dry as it was was a helping hand.
Exiting the Trap and turning around was indescribable. I had set a goal, I had done well throughout my little adventure on the mountain, and I was able to walk away unharmed being able to say, "I did it." Needless to say it was a very good day.