Winter sunset on Little Bear Peak

Winter sunset on Little Bear Peak

Intimidating Little Bear Peak as seen from our camp on the western shore of Lake Como near sunset on a pleasant winter evening. Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado. February 2009.
SarahThompson
on Feb 9, 2009 11:47 am
Image ID: 487949

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yatsek

yatsek - Feb 9, 2009 6:31 pm - Voted 10/10

Misleading Looks?

Well, it looks inviting and quite friendly to me, at least from a distance, just like a little bear:-)

SarahThompson

SarahThompson - Feb 10, 2009 1:33 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Misleading Looks?

Little Bear Peak is known as one of the most dangerous 14ers in Colorado. It has claimed several lives. Its a fantastic peak though and I hope to make a winter ascent before too long.

yatsek

yatsek - Feb 10, 2009 2:28 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Misleading Looks?

So, if the rock's rather solid and there are no avalanches in sight, what is the usual cause of death then - the weather???

SarahThompson

SarahThompson - Feb 10, 2009 4:28 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Misleading Looks?

The ridges are fairly solid, but there is plenty of loose rock elsewhere. The easiest (standard) route to the summit is on the other side of the mountain and goes up a steep, nasty gully called the Hourglass that funnels loose rocks from above. Several have died from rock fall there. Last summer I remember a guy got off route in bad weather and died from a fall/rock slide. Also, a brother/sister team was caught in an avalanche last winter and the girl died. I prefer the NW face route which goes up the face seen in the picture - wonderful, steep scrambling but a bit too spicy for some casual peakbaggers.

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