LaPlata Peak, Ellingwood Ridge

We started Saturday at 1:30 pm from the LaPlata Gulch trailhead off the Independence Pass Road in light rain and headed up the LaPlata Peak trail. We left this well-constructed trail after it flattens out and traversed over the north ridge into LaPlata Basin where we camped. The weather cleared overnight. At 6:30 am, we started the climb up a broad couloir to the low point on the Ellingwood Ridge, just below 13,000'. From there, we traversed with lots of ups and downs, mostly on the east side of the ridge, dropping just low enough to keep the climbing 3rd class. The exception was a short portion of the lower ridge and the climbing just below the ~14,100 subpeak where we kept to the top of the ridge. During our climb, dark clouds had gradually gathered and it began to hail just as we reached the top. A bit more rain on the way out, but the weather cleared before we reached the trailhead.

John Raich

Other Information

• What to Bring on a Hike
• Safety And Survival
• There's Weather Out There
• Learning Safety Through the Experience of Others
• The Leave No Trace: Skills & Ethics: Rocky Mountains A must read for every backcountry user!

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