Just a few comments and pictures about today’s (May 7th, 2013) activation of Mount McConnel (WØC/FR-Ø88).
It was a gloomy day in northern Colorado. Cloudy and rain throughout the day, windy and chilly at the summit (9:00 AM). It looked like it was snowing at Camron Pass.
The campground where the trail-head is located is closed. According to the sign, due to spraying activities (Pine Beetle). Parking along CO14 on a gravel strip is possible.
The hike up to Mc Connel is about 95% through burned area from last years Highpark fire which destroyed over 68’000 acres (>275 square kilometers), 190+ structures and unfortunately one fatality.
I still had to cross a few snow-fields on the east side of the mountain… unusual for (almost) mid May at only 8000 ft.
Signals on 20m were fading in and out like the rain and I had a hard time getting my four contacts.
A few pictures:
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- The view of Mt. Mc Connel from unnamed peak 7612
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- Damages by the Highpark fire
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- Damages by the Highpark fire
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- Looking towards Cameron Pass
Looking for a complete trip report with pictures/video taken in sunny conditions? Check out http://wp.me/p1XRZT-3P
73, Matt/KØMOS
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required - enjoy!
