Snow Climb – Apache Peak

Snow climb of Apache peak, via the Queens Way couloir (west of lake Isabelle and the Isabelle snowfield). The overall gain for the trip will be 3400', of that we expect 2000' on snow. With an early start and good speed, we can also tag neighboring Navajo peak. I plan to use the CMC Brainard cabin as a staging site for the trip. That is: we will meet up in Boulder, drive to Brainard lakes trailhead, hike 2.5 miles to Brainard cabin (minimal elevation gain), stay overnight at the cabin, wake early for an alpine start, ascend the couloir to the summit, descend (Navajo snowfield, Apache couloir, or East Ledges route), return to the cabin for remaining gear, and return to Boulder. I would nominally plan to wake at 3:00 am to leave the cabin at 4:00 for the 4 mile approach from the cabin. The top of the couloir should offer great morning views of Lone Eagle peak and the Front Range area. 

Some description of the routes on Apache peak may be found at: https://www.frontrangeskimo.com/apache

This trip is a good snow refresher, with typical mileage and elevation gain. The snow climb itself is exploratory (I have not visited the couloirs of Apache peak before). The trip is intended for those with previous snow experience – CMC Alpine Climbing School (ACS snow courses) or the former Basic Mountaineering School (BMS) is a pre-requisite. If you are inquiring to join the trip, please describe: (a) similar ‘snow climbing’ or 'big peak' experiences you have done recently, and (b) when you took ACS, BMS, or equivalent (and the date of).

There is a $20 fee per CMC member to stay at Brainard cabin. I have pre-reserved the cabin, so i am requiring for you to arrange payment in order to you sign up for the trip. To keep things simple, the fee will be nonrefundable with any proceeds donated towards the CMC-Boulder cabins.

In Boulder, in the afternoon. We will stay overnight at Brainard Cabin for an am alpine start, inquire with registration.