Approaching the saddle between “Zodiac View” (12,505′) and “Mount Silverthorne” (13,357′) on a fine Saturday morning in the Gore Range.
Peaks: “Zodiac View” (12,505′), “Mount Silverthorne” – a.k.a Willow Benchmark (13,357′), “East Thorn” (13,333′) Date: July 18, 2015 Trailhead: Gore Creek Distance: ~ 15 miles Elevation Gain: ~ 6,000 ft. Participants: Chris Cronick, Dillon Sarnelli (guest appearance by Kristine Chalk and Kona)
This summer’s been a little different than year’s past for me. No real agenda. Hitting the big Park when I can, checking off a Centennial or two when it feels right, even carrying a rope on occasion and adding to the itinerary a top secret cabin in the San Juans when possible.
(L to R) Mount Jefferson (5,717′), Mount Adams (5,798′), and Mount Madison (5,367′) as seen from Mount Washington (6,288′).
Location: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire Dates: June 26-28, 2015 Participants: Dana Sanford, Miguel Gonzalez, Nate Watts, Ray Priebe, Dillon Sarnelli
Once upon a time way back in 2012, Dana, Migz, Nate and Ray got off a plane at DIA and within 24 hours found themselves on the summits of Chiefs Head (Sheeps Head if you ask Dana) and Alice in Rocky Mountain National Park. At the time I figured these would be some excellent “acclimation” peaks since a sunrise summit of Longs was on tap for the following day. It would be the 1st outing of what has since become a somewhat annual hazing tradition.
Skip ahead to 2014 and the reunion tour found us climbing some of Colorado’s finest peaks in Ruby Basin – Pigeon, Turret and the Animas Group – all the way from Purgatory TH, a trip that Nate has since coined the Dillon Death March.
In 2015 it was their turn to return the favor… on their turf. And they sure did.
Basecamp, CO 