Wilson Peak on fire.
On Saturday morning the weather looked dodgy but workable. We decided to head for Wilson Peak and see how the day shaped up.
Looking back at Lizardhead as we round the lower east ridge of Gladstone Peak in Bilk Basin.
Wilson Peak decided to make an appearance once during the day!
Traversing at about 11,500' into Bilk Basin below Wilson Peak.
Wilson Peak in a bit of sunlight. This was a rare moment during the day.
The snow was good. A nice windpack that was quite solid.
At about 12,900' I stashed the splitboard and we busted out the crampons and headed straight up the south face of Wilson Peak.
Ascending a small snow gully on Wilson Peak's south face.
The snow gully was great to start but the snow was deep with a one-inch-think snow crust on top so we moved to the area near the rocks.
We gained the west ridge of Wilson Peak at about 13,800'. I was hoping we were above the spooky north-side traverse but alas, we were not.
On good trail on the west ridge.
Looking down the area we must descend to enter the traverse on the north side of the ridge. This section is always a bit spooky regardless of season.
Traversing...
Exiting the north side traverse to gain the west ridge again.
The forbidden Silver Pick Basin.
Someone sacrificed their tent poles near the summit of Wilson Peak.
Cynthia approaching the the summit of Wilson Peak.
Self portrait, Wilson Peak, 14,017', 02/10/2007, 1:36pm.
On the return through the north side traverse. It was much easier coming back since we could use our previous steps.
Good times on the traverse.
Almost done with the return traverse!
Excellent! Time for 1,500' of snowboarding into Bilk Basin.
The view towards the Telluride valley.
Boiling water and makin' dinner before the big storm Saturday night.
Note the snow depth around the splitboard, poles and snowshoes....
The next morning! About 10 inches of new snow had fallen during the night.
We awoke at 5:15am and packed up in the dark. By 7:00am, we were ready to start the hike out in the blizzard.
With a strong wind blowing the snow, it was bitter cold above treeline. I was glad to get here at treeline!
Back down in the trees we could still barely discern the old skin track.
Making a long traverse on the snowboard descent into Bilk Basin. (Yes I snowboard with poles in hand sometimes!)
