Backcountry
Trip Report
Report from Saturday, March 10, 2024
58 peaks exceed 14,000 feet in Colorado; those peaks are referred to as 14ers. Quandary Peak sits at 14,265 feet and is a popular 14er to ski due to its easy access and two incredible open bowls for skiing. On Saturday, March 10, the conditions were perfect for a summit. Fresh snowfall during the week combined with a bluebird day with minimal wind made yesterday the day to summit and ski Quandary.
Leaving the trailhead around 7:30 a.m., the four of us took off for roughly a 3.5-mile, 3,500-foot climb to reach the summit. With a pace of around 1,000 vertical feet per hour, we made good time along the well-developed skin track that was set by around 15 skiers ahead of us.
As we surpassed treeline, it was clear we were in for a good time. Both the lower and upper bowls are northeast facing, with a slope angle of less than 30°, and appeared to be loaded with fresh snow. With high hopes and stoke to get our turns in from over 14,000 feet, we pressed on.
Pushing up the east ridge, we reached the false summit, which tops out around 13,000 feet. This was a great spot to grab a snack and check out the upper bowl where a few skiers had already made some amazing turns. Feeling ready for the final push to the summit, we took off for the final 1,200 feet of the climb. The skin track quickly became grueling, sustaining 20°+ for the last half mile required focus to reach the summit.
A little past 11 a.m., we summitted Quandary Peak, and the view was incredible. I was in awe staring out into the west, looking at mountains extending for miles on end. After catching our breath, taking in the view, and expressing our gratitude for this incredible experience we transitioned and prepared for the two massive bowls that await us.
Dropping into the upper bowl provided one of the most surreal views I have had on a snowboard. The initial convex shape at the top created an illusion that I was about to ski off the end of the planet. It eventually opened up, and 1,000 vertical feet of skiing and my crew became visible below. I began making my turns and transcended into a serene mental escape where it was just me and the mountain. Taking in the moment and every turn, I found a gentle rhythm. We celebrated at the bottom of the upper bowl, loaded with stoke to continue the downhill and see what the lower bowl had to offer.
After riding down the east ridge that we skinned up, the lower bowl appeared. We set our plan and took off, each finding our turns until we funneled back into the trees. The blower snow in the bowls quickly turned to spring slush under the hot sun. We wiggled our way out and dropped back into the parking lot.
The conditions could not have been better. For much of the winter and spring Quandary Peak is extremely windy, making for mixed conditions and difficult weather for a summit. Yesterday, many of us capitalized on the beautiful day and made the breathtaking trek up. The ascent was well worth the turns, and with the right conditions Quandary, is a perfect 14er to ski.
