I had a few days free, and for some reason chose to spend them freezing my butt off alone in the snow... I took three days and two nights to summit Mt. Audubon(13,224 ft) alone. The trip was great, except I forgot to bring sunscreen and my sleeping pad. I had to use branches from nearby trees for insulation!
The climb itself went well. I started out early, hoping for the good weather to hold. Although it was extremely windy, I managed to make the summit by noon. At the summit, I was sure I was about to be blown off the mountain. Seven hours later, I returned to camp for a much needed nap.
Route Climbed: East Face Date Climbed: July 14, 2002
A nice summit. Combined well with Paiute Peak. My dog Sopris was along with me on this traverse.
I had previously attemted Mount Audubon in Febuary of 2001. I got caught in a little blizzard on that try and turned around some 300 feet feom the summit (above the head of the eastern cirque).
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: Sept 2nd, 2002
Really nice day hike with fantastic views of the surrounding peaks. The mountain by itself doesn't have much going for it but the views around it are incredible.
Be prepared for wind on this peak. There must have a steady 30mph wind going when I got to the summit and it seems like every time I'm in the area the wind is blowing hard.
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge Date Climbed: September 19, 2003
After 14er bagging the last two days I decided to stay close to home and take it easy. I found this ridge to be lots of fun despite it's short length. I didn't see anyone else and the ridge offered unsurpassed views of the surrounding peaks. The class 3 sections were very fun and straightforward despite the snow. Highly recommended for new climbers wanting to get off the hiking trails.
Route Climbed: Brainard, also traverse from Pawnee Date Climbed: July, 1983 for the first time
As noted, this is a great, easy peak for a hike. It can be attempted any time of year, but be prepared for wind any time of year! I've been up it a half dozen times or so, and been driven back by winter winds more than once.
Highly recommended for a longer outing is to climb Paiute Peak from Blue Lake, then traverse over to Audobon. This has you descending a known and easy trail during the afternoon storm hours. The traverse is a Roach *classic*.
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge, descent via Mount Audubon Trail Date Climbed: August 13, 2003 & July 18, 2004
July 2004:
Looks like I followed in Aaron's footsteps. Erin wanted to experience the SE Ridge for herself, so I made my second climb of this fun route. Next, we traversed to Paiute, and then climbed Mount Toll before descending to Blue Lakes.
This route, described in Roach's IPW book, puts you in a spectacular position alongside Audubon's bowl. A trip report is available here.
Route Climbed: Southern snow couloir Date Climbed: 21 November 2002
Decided I wanted to play with my ice tools, so headed out thinking I'd attempt Toll's North Face. It was getting late, so I hung a right and headed up one of the couloirs of Audubon's south scoop. Ended up with an epic descent in the dark, but a great time on some snow and steep rock. This would not be a good summer route b/c of loose rock.
Route Climbed: Standard ascent, descent to Blue Lakes Date Climbed: July 16, 2002
I really enjoyed this hike. There are some interesting views to the north, and wonderful scenes of the rest of the Indian Peaks. I brought my dog on this hike (don't worry, I'm one of the responsible ones) and she loved it. A nice cool shower was welcomed on the way back to the parking lot.
Route Climbed: Brainard Lake Date Climbed: August 8, 2002:March 8, 2004
My first hike in the Indian Peaks in almost twenty years. Great views from up there. I was so transfixed I didn't pay attention to the storm building rapidly behind Apache. Got chased down by lightning that was just too close. I should know better.
Went back and did it as an overnight. No worries about storms this time. Perfectly clear skies, warm temps, and just a touch of wind.
Route Climbed: Brainard Lake Date Climbed: August 2001
This was my second attempt at Audobon. I failed to summit 12 years previous due to a combiination of altitude sickness and vertigo. Climbed with my dad (59) and my son (9). Generally a very nice hike with the exception of the thunderstorms that blew in while we were above timberline. When we finally reached camp (where my wife and daughters were) dad said let's go camping granddaddy style ... in a Marriott Hotel in Denver.
Hiked up a couple days before heading to Mexico to climb Orizaba. The actual "climb" was very easy, but the high winds and cold temps made it interesting.
pphlux - Mar 19, 2004 11:40 pm
Route Climbed: normal Date Climbed: February, 2002Very cold two night solo camping trip.
There are quite a few photos available here:
http://www.cunap.com/~hardingr/photos/mtaudubon/index.html
I had a few days free, and for some reason chose to spend them freezing my butt off alone in the snow... I took three days and two nights to summit Mt. Audubon(13,224 ft) alone. The trip was great, except I forgot to bring sunscreen and my sleeping pad. I had to use branches from nearby trees for insulation!
The climb itself went well. I started out early, hoping for the good weather to hold. Although it was extremely windy, I managed to make the summit by noon. At the summit, I was sure I was about to be blown off the mountain. Seven hours later, I returned to camp for a much needed nap.
granddeity - Feb 12, 2004 3:58 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August 2003Nice hike, pretty mountain.
phillinley - Jan 29, 2004 1:52 am
Route Climbed: Blue Lake Loop Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2003Great warm up climb for a fourteener. This hike gave me a good scouting report on the iced up south slopes of Long's Peak.
bdewoody - Dec 3, 2003 6:47 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge Date Climbed: June 2002A good short day hike.
JonBradford - Nov 5, 2003 11:51 pm
Route Climbed: East Face Date Climbed: July 14, 2002A nice summit. Combined well with Paiute Peak. My dog Sopris was along with me on this traverse.
I had previously attemted Mount Audubon in Febuary of 2001. I got caught in a little blizzard on that try and turned around some 300 feet feom the summit (above the head of the eastern cirque).
Jon Bradford
jrf - Oct 5, 2003 8:32 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: Sept 2nd, 2002Really nice day hike with fantastic views of the surrounding peaks. The mountain by itself doesn't have much going for it but the views around it are incredible.
Be prepared for wind on this peak. There must have a steady 30mph wind going when I got to the summit and it seems like every time I'm in the area the wind is blowing hard.
Jim Clarke - Oct 2, 2003 10:19 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 19 2001Fun day hike or even better early season ski tour.
miztflip - Sep 19, 2003 6:15 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge Date Climbed: September 19, 2003After 14er bagging the last two days I decided to stay close to home and take it easy. I found this ridge to be lots of fun despite it's short length. I didn't see anyone else and the ridge offered unsurpassed views of the surrounding peaks. The class 3 sections were very fun and straightforward despite the snow. Highly recommended for new climbers wanting to get off the hiking trails.
Nelson - Sep 5, 2003 12:40 am
Route Climbed: Brainard, also traverse from Pawnee Date Climbed: July, 1983 for the first timeAs noted, this is a great, easy peak for a hike. It can be attempted any time of year, but be prepared for wind any time of year! I've been up it a half dozen times or so, and been driven back by winter winds more than once.
Highly recommended for a longer outing is to climb Paiute Peak from Blue Lake, then traverse over to Audobon. This has you descending a known and easy trail during the afternoon storm hours. The traverse is a Roach *classic*.
eurobeer - Sep 3, 2003 9:15 am
Route Climbed: Brainard Lake Date Climbed: August 7, 2002Made it to the ridge just below the summit. The views of indianpeaks and Longs peak were amazing.
RyanS - Aug 19, 2003 12:02 am
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge, descent via Mount Audubon Trail Date Climbed: August 13, 2003 & July 18, 2004July 2004:
Looks like I followed in Aaron's footsteps. Erin wanted to experience the SE Ridge for herself, so I made my second climb of this fun route. Next, we traversed to Paiute, and then climbed Mount Toll before descending to Blue Lakes.
This route, described in Roach's IPW book, puts you in a spectacular position alongside Audubon's bowl. A trip report is available here.
ben - May 19, 2003 10:56 pm
Route Climbed: Southern snow couloir Date Climbed: 21 November 2002Decided I wanted to play with my ice tools, so headed out thinking I'd attempt Toll's North Face. It was getting late, so I hung a right and headed up one of the couloirs of Audubon's south scoop. Ended up with an epic descent in the dark, but a great time on some snow and steep rock. This would not be a good summer route b/c of loose rock.
smudge - May 4, 2003 3:05 pm
Route Climbed: Standard ascent, descent to Blue Lakes Date Climbed: July 16, 2002I really enjoyed this hike. There are some interesting views to the north, and wonderful scenes of the rest of the Indian Peaks. I brought my dog on this hike (don't worry, I'm one of the responsible ones) and she loved it. A nice cool shower was welcomed on the way back to the parking lot.
Colonelpyat - Feb 28, 2003 3:36 am
Route Climbed: Brainard Lake Date Climbed: August 8, 2002:March 8, 2004My first hike in the Indian Peaks in almost twenty years. Great views from up there. I was so transfixed I didn't pay attention to the storm building rapidly behind Apache. Got chased down by lightning that was just too close. I should know better.
Went back and did it as an overnight. No worries about storms this time. Perfectly clear skies, warm temps, and just a touch of wind.
DukeJH - Nov 1, 2002 11:29 am
Route Climbed: Brainard Lake Date Climbed: August 2001This was my second attempt at Audobon. I failed to summit 12 years previous due to a combiination of altitude sickness and vertigo. Climbed with my dad (59) and my son (9). Generally a very nice hike with the exception of the thunderstorms that blew in while we were above timberline. When we finally reached camp (where my wife and daughters were) dad said let's go camping granddaddy style ... in a Marriott Hotel in Denver.
Josh - Sep 10, 2002 12:24 pm
Route Climbed: ? Date Climbed: December, 1998Hiked up a couple days before heading to Mexico to climb Orizaba. The actual "climb" was very easy, but the high winds and cold temps made it interesting.