I spent the last two weeks hiking in RMNP and of course activating some SOTA summits. As one of the highlights, I was attempting to do part of the Mummy Mania (a long day hike to climb six peaks between 12,500 and 13,500 ft (3800m-4100m).
- Mount Chapin: 12454 ft / 3796 m
- Mount Chiquita: 12,454 ft / 3983 m/
- Ypsilon Mountain: 13,520 ft/ 4121 m
- Fairchild Mountain: 13,508 ft / 4117 m
- Hagues Peak: 13,560 ft / 4133 m
- Mummy Mountain: 13,430-ft / 4,093 m
The BOLD peaks qualify for SOTA.
‘Killing’ all of the Mummies requires two cars (shuttle), excellent weather, strong hiking and path finding skills and stamina. The terrain varies wildly between (Class II to Class III max) and some exposure if you choose so. Trying to activate 3 summits in addition to the 15+ miles and ~7000 ft elevation gain – impossible, at least for me. So I split it up in two sections on different days.
During my activation of Hagues Peak (13,560 ft/4133 m), the highest of the Mummies, I could see the Cameron Pk fire and how it blackened the skies (see pictures).
The smoke from several fires in Colorado thickened over the last 14 days, making for nice sun sets in Boulder and along the Front Range but also for very poor air quality. Early mornings air quality was better but the easterly winds pushed the smoke over the Mountains during the day making the views from peaks mediocre at best and breathing difficult.
Never the less, I decided to ‘finish’ the Mummies yesterday (Sunday 8/22/2020), starting at Chapin TH to summit Chapin/Chiquita/Ypsilon and as the big finale Fairchild Mtn which got away from me several times.
Ypsilon to Fairchild is a steep and treacherous route, descending and ascending 1000+ feet over ~1 mile across terrain littered with talus and huge boulders. It takes all your extremities to get up to Fairchild Mtn.
The smoke from the fires increased along our route and made breathing more difficult as we went along (slowing us down measurably). By the time we hit the ridge on Fairchild the smoke was pretty bad, hurting nose and throat and burning in the eyes. We abandoned the idea to activate the peak 1385 ft/422m before reaching the summit (no, we were not within the activation zone yet). The idea to spend another 1h+ in these conditions before hiking back an approx. 5h to the car with burning eyes and coughing was not pretty.
Disappointed that Fairchild got away again again, but sort of happy at the same time for reaching (and playing with the radio on) 3 summits and the satisfaction that I made the treacherous traverse over to Fairchild – I could have made it without the smoke. I know now how a chain-smoker must feel every day.
So, bottom-line of the story is that you please pay attention to the wind/fire/smoke conditions when you are planning to activate in/near RMNP. Check their Website, large areas are already closed (no roads yet). Right now it’s neither pretty (no visibility) nor healthy I presume.
Oh, yeah, and if we had a QSO at ~14:40 UTC and I told you I am on Ypsilon Mtn (WØC/FR-ØØ9) I was wrong… I was on Mount Chiquita (not a SOTA Pk) and realized my mistake later (I blame lack of oxygen and smoke inhalation for my mistake – could be my age too). I was on Ypsilon Mountain at 16:30 UTC – I apologize for that.
Stay safe and healthy.
Best, 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!
