Blanca Peak (14,345) by Brian Schultz Saturday August 4, 2001
After the Handies climb I set out for the Sangres to climb Ellingwood, originally scheduled as a dayhike but with an extra day I could now do a backpack to Lake Como instead. I'm not fond of backpacking but I bought a new pack hoping for a better experience with comfort and this would be a good place to try it out before the upcoming Browns Lake outing. Coincidentally, Lake Como was the last place I backpacked when I did Little Bear two years ago.
I left Alamosa Friday morning and drove about a mile beyond the car parking area on the Lake Como road. Ready to go at 10:45 under clear skies, but mindful of the past week's rainy afternoons and evenings, I began the grind up the road hoping to get to the lake before any inclement weather rolled in. It sure didn't take long to be reminded why I dislike the road- it's a killer on the legs and feet when carrying a heavy pack. I passed several fathers and sons from New Mexico whose scattered group kept in radio contact with each other when the sons got too far ahead. Many of them were sitting in the shade trying to get relief from the hot sun, which I also did, but my breaks were brief and I never removed my pack.
I reached the lake at 2:25 and followed the road around to the camping area on the other side. Surprised to see no tents on a Friday afternoon, I picked a flat spot in the trees near the creek and set up mine. Just when I wondered what I'd do for the rest of the day I heard two ATVs coming down from high on the road and went over to watch. The two fellows had driven to the end of the road and climbed Blanca and were now looking for a place to camp. I offered my huge area to them and they obliged.
Jimmy and John brought everything imaginable, including chairs, table, firewood, and ice chests packed with food and beer. When I jokingly asked where the boombox was, they pulled that out too. The funny, hospitable guys offered me a chair and I watched them set up camp and laughed at their antics until it started raining. I took cover in my tent and returned later to watch John build a fire by pouring gas on the wet wood. The fire roared to life and quickly died down, but John was determined. He kept splashing gas each time the fire faded until suddenly the gas can itself caught on fire! He dropped the flaming can behind him and I backed up, expecting to see a wondrous explosion. But Jimmy quickly smothered it with dirt, prompting John to complain how the contaminated gas couldn't be used for the vehicles. Jimmy said they didn't need it, John said in that case he'd really get the fire going. And he did!
Meanwhile, the unstable weather wasn't done with us and we were soon bombarded by a hailstorm that lasted 15 minutes. I scurried back to the tent and watched the hail pelt the ground white, followed by a pouring rain during which I fell asleep. After the rain let up I had something to eat and went back to visit the guys. Lots of (very wet) people were still hiking up in the fading daylight and setting up tents around the lake. John's fire survived the downpour and as night fell we settled around it for warmth and good stories.
As the evening progressed, the cloudy night sky finally cleared and the moon lit up Ellingwood's ridge in a surreal glow, an amazing scene I'll not soon forget and rivaling a similar night at Snowmass Lake two years ago. We later saw two flashlights bobbing around the lake and drawing near to our blazing fire. The two women told us they were heading further up the road and seriously considered a night climb of Blanca but changed their minds and set up camp with us. Mary and Laura were members of the internet Yahoo Colorado Fourteeners Club, as was I, and suddenly the world seemed a bit smaller. We were familiar with each other's postings and they knew of my trip reports. The five of us had a great time talking around the fire until we three who were climbing in the morning finally turned in. Jimmy and John, not ones to waste a perfectly good night, were staying up to burn all the wood and party until it was gone.
Awake at 5:30 and ready to go at 6:20, I started up the road fully intending to climb Ellingwood's southwest ridge. I walked past where Tim and I camped two years ago, just across from the gully to Little Bear's ridge. As I looked up at Little Bear I was thankful I'd already done it but anyone climbing the Bowling Alley today would be in for a treat- the morning was sunny and clear. I hiked along keeping a cautious eye out for my cut-off and though I was fairly sure where it was, I had doubts. As much as I wanted to do the route, it wasn't so important to chance getting lost, and I sure wasn't hiking back down the detestable road without a peak. I decided to climb Blanca instead.
I passed numerous hikers on the trail, including Laura who was taking a slow pace, and later, Mary. The two of us and a fellow named Larry hiked together until we approached the ridge where they slowed and I surged. Climbing to the ridge through the cliffy areas was more tedious than I remembered from four years ago, as was the steep talus, but once I made the ridge it was a fun scramble to the summit. I got there at 9:00, just behind a father and two sons from the New Mexico group.
The weather was cool and sunny and I had a great time visiting with the many hikers who came and left. Mary and Larry finally summited as did two solo climbers, Aaron and Carla. The four of them wanted to climb Ellingwood and tried to convince me to lead them up but I was enjoying this summit too much to leave. I assured them Ellingwood was not as intimidating as it looked and urged them to go for it, which Mary and Larry did while I stayed on top until 10:20, one of my longest summit stays ever at an hour and twenty minutes. I departed with Aaron and Carla. At the saddle she set out for Ellingwood, Aaron hiked down with me.
There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the temperature warmed up considerably by the time I reached camp at 12:35. Jimmy told me John had decided to climb after all and went up Little Bear. As I packed up and was about to leave he meandered back into camp. He'd hooked up with another guy and both made it to the summit- an impressive undertaking after partying all night.
After saying goodbye and thanking them for their company I began the unpleasant hike down the road at 1:25. My left knee was bothering me in a big way and the trek out was painful. Some of the young boys from New Mexico were amused at my slow pace but they'll get older someday and find out what it's like. I reached the truck at 4:05.
This was a fun weekend and I met some great people. The new backpack worked out well and should make future trips more enjoyable.
Backpack to Lake Como- 3 hours 40 minutes
From Lake Como to summit- 2 hours 40 minutes
From Lake Como to summit and back- 6 hours 15 minutes (including all breaks)
Backpack out from Lake Como- 2 hours 40 minutes