Snow Climb – RMNP - Bear Lake TH - Ptarmigan Glacier

This will be an easy to moderate snow climb up Ptarmigan Glacier RMNP. 

This trip is an optional trip for the Northern Colorado Alpine Climbing School. Students will get preference. This route requires technical snow skills, ice axe, mountaineering crampons, and helmet.  Participants will be required to provide evidence of previous alpine scrambling or basic mountaineering experience.  Please email to register with the leader and send a description of your recent trips and related experience.  If there is enough interest or a long waitlist we may schedule a second trip.

We'll start from the Bear Lake trailhead. From Bear Lake, head up the Flattop trail toward Lake Helene and Notchtop Spire. Just before the trail starts to curve right toward Odessa Lake, look for a climber's trail on the left that heads slightly downhill through the trees. Take this to Lake Helene and skirt it on the right. Keep following the trail and cairns (or when covered with snow, take the path of least resistance) until you get to the base of a snowfield at the southern end of the base of Notchtop Spire. This is Lower Ptarmigan Glacier. Follow this as it curves up and slightly right to the base of the main Ptarmigan Glacier.

If there is time and conditions are right, we may practice self arrests and glissades on Ptarmigan Glacier.  Alternatively, pending snow conditions and participant interest, we may ascend one of the Ptarmigan Fingers.

Primary return route will be via Flat top Mountain trail.  Optional descent may be glissade and return on the same approach route.

Participants will meet at the Bear Lake Trailhead in RMNP at  ~03:00 AM. Start time may be earlier or later depending on trail conditions.

Details for a carpool location from Fort Collins will be forthcoming.

Time may be earlier or later depending on trail conditions