Hikers/Climbers -does this profile look terrible??

[Jeff Mason]

I am starting to do some research on some hikes this summer. I figure that would be good motivation to get my fat ass back in shape. I've wanted to do Handies Peak for a long time, but also want to do a few things closer to home.

One thing I like is to look for ways that aren't quite on the map, and thus my question. I've been to the top of Argentine Pass before, and noticed it was pretty close to Greys and Torreys. The ridge line from Argentine to the peaks looks decent (in Google Earth anyway), so I thought it would be cool to park at Argentine, then hike the ridge over. Here is the profile that I get:

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7820&stc=1&d=1200943446


Other than the last push up to Grays (the first peak) and Torrey's (the last peak on the chart), it looks pretty good.

Any comments? Is it possible to hike the ridge lines like that without too many issues? I have other route pictures I can post if you want!

(oh, I won't be by myself, I will have my scout essentials and lots of water, and I will leave my plans with someone at home in case there are issues. I am wondering about issues that are more along the lines of hiking on ridgelines and saddles, potentials for large boulder fields, exposure to large dropoffs, etc. None of those look like issues on this route...)

[Jeffro600]

Only about 1000 foot total climb over 2.5 miles and maybe 2000-2500 feet total but lots of elevation changes and the elevation alone would probably leave me gasping for air! Shouldnt be too bad though. Ive hiked climbs twice that in less than half that mileage and it wasnt too terribly bad.

Bring plenty of water and some stuff to snack on and youll be fine.

[meatblanket]

Yes, it is very feasible. With a few friends I traversed from Guanella Pass to Loveland Pass in the winter, on the ridge the entire way. It took us two days to complete it (we were training for high altitude climbing in Peru).

The route took us from Guanella Pass to Squaretop Mountain, from there to Argentine Peak, then to Mt. Edwards, Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Grizzly Peak, and down to Loveland Pass where we stashed a second car.

It was very easy from a technical standpoint. The worst of it was between Torreys Peak and Grizzly Peak, where the snow got pretty deep, and with the heavy packs at that elevation it made me wonder WTF we were doing up there.....

[Dunedain313]

That area isn't particularly rocky or steep, generally speaking. I wouldn't worry too much about those issues.

Where did you get the elevation info?

[Jeff Mason]

That area isn't particularly rocky or steep, generally speaking. I wouldn't worry too much about those issues.

Where did you get the elevation info?

I added a path in Google Earth, it looks like this:

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7823&stc=1&d=1200955518

Then I used a couple of Google Earth tools that I found on-line to give me the lat/lon of the path 'points'. From there, I found another tool that supplies elevations, and one more tool that creates the profile. I can draw a path, and have the profile done in about 5 minutes or less...

[MinesJeep]

Yeah, I was looking at that exact line this summer while I was up there. Was actually two jeeps parked at the top of Argentine and I could see the two hikers on the top of that first ridge. I'd love to do that this summer. The line was pretty clean of debris should be a fairly easy traverse when the wind isn't playing at 100mph.

[xjmatt]

Route looks sound. Only thing I'd think about is the fact your starting out your hike above 13K and you'll be up there for a while. Take lots of water, drink it all, and don't feel bad about turning back if you start feeling sick or light headed.

I've seen the altitude effect a surprising number of people when they spend more than a couple hours exerting themselves above 12-13K.

[Trango]

Looks like a fun run. :flipoff2:

[Jeff Mason]

I think I could manage to run about the first 100 yards or so, as they look to be slightly downhill.

Here's a current picture of me from scouts, I'll update it in a couple of months and we'll see if the diet/exercise plans are working.

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7838&stc=1&d=1201058929 :flipoff2: :D

[Jeff Mason]

Route looks sound. Only thing I'd think about is the fact your starting out your hike above 13K and you'll be up there for a while. Take lots of water, drink it all, and don't feel bad about turning back if you start feeling sick or light headed.

I've seen the altitude effect a surprising number of people when they spend more than a couple hours exerting themselves above 12-13K.


I think starting at 13k has advantages and disadvantages. I've never hiked much at that altitude, so starting there, as opposed to having to hike 1500+ vertical feet to get to 13k, may make it a little easier. I'm really just looking for warmup hike that I can do in the early to mid-summer (Depending on snowpack) at altitude. I plan on a number of low-elevation hikes to get back into shape (Deer Creek Canyon Park, Mt. Falcon from the east, etc.)

Anyway, my ultimate goal for this year is to climb Handies Peak from American Basin. It is not that hard or long of a climb (2500 feet and 6ish miles roundtrip), but it is something that I have always wanted to do, and should give me some motivation through the winter and spring.