Pics frm our winter ascent of Mt Bierstadt

[Strychnine]

Woke up at 530am. On the road at 615am. Threw some Explosions In The Sky on while driving out of town




We finally get up into Aprapaho Natl Forest around 8am








The road was closed so we didn't get to drive to the trailhead. We strapped on snow shoes and had to hike 1.5 miles of switchback mountain road just to get on the trail. Notice the road sign behind me.*






To cut a few switchbacks out we set off straight up a few hills. Here's looking down one of them that w came up.




That peak way back there is where we were headed.




On the way we passed through the highest elevation marsh in CO

[Strychnine]

As we got higher the snow shoes had to come off and the cleats went on




We came from below that tree line on the lower right*




Sawtooth Ridge in the background






We didn't actually go all the way up. Because of the extra 1.5 mile run-up we were behind schedule. If we peaked then we'd be coming down by headlamp. With no competition and nothing to prove we turned around just above 13,000ft and went to a bar


Oh and here's what it looks like when someone goes from 460' to 13,000' overnight.*




Anyway this was the motivation. It's amazing what a guy will do for a beer.*

[Strychnine]

Other misc pics

[yellowstang]

Some bars get their Coors Light that same way!


Awesome job, that's a fucken hike and a half I'm sure, even on a nice warm day!

[talisman]

Nice dude.

[Strychnine]

Also, I'm over my winter 14'er fascination for a while. Summer hikes for this guy unless I get more altitude acclimatization.

[Sleeper]

Snow is a bitch. Ive never used snow shoes though.

Nice pics. Glad to see your enjoying life.

[talisman]

Also, I'm over my winter 14'er fascination for a while. Summer hikes for this guy unless I get more altitude acclimatization.

Yeah, when I posted nice dude, the rest of the thought was "For you. Fuck that it looks cold!"

[Sleeper]

Yeah, when I posted nice dude, the rest of the thought was "For you. Fuck that it looks cold!"

I bet he was cold for all of 5 min. Then he prob started shedding layers.

[Chas_svo]

Nice pics. I wish it wasn't so far to everything from here.

[MADMEX]

Badass..

[Strychnine]

I bet he was cold for all of 5 min. Then he prob started shedding layers.

That's no lie.

Double layered on bottom (synthetic longjohns and insulated pants) and two base layers on top.

On tip of that I started with a fleece softshell and then a hardshell in the shade before the sun poked out. Quickly shed down to a vest until close to 13,000'. Only put on the hardshell for 1,000 of the descent then finished in the vest.

[Strychnine]

Snow is a bitch. Ive never used snow shoes though.

Nice pics. Glad to see your enjoying life.

We were mainly using them for the crampon type spikes. Not much buoyancy and needed, but it still sucked the energy away.



And yes, enjoying life. I don't understand people without passions. Watching tv is not life. Gotta experience the world and everything it has to offer.

[Sleeper]

I can say i really really like my underarmour baselayers. I can go outside in 10-25 degree weather with just jeans and a fleece jacket on and not get cold with mild activity. Really takes down the bulk.

I never double layer longjohns anymore.

[Baron Von Crowder]

We were mainly using them for the crampon type spikes. Not much buoyancy and needed, but it still sucked the energy away.



And yes, enjoying life. I don't understand people without passions. Watching tv is not life. Gotta experience the world and everything it has to offer.

Word.

Props on getting out there Matt.