Shucks, Dav Doesn’t Make it Today on Longs Peak – Shut Down by Wind
I was cheering for Davenport’s team today on Longs Peak, Colorado. But alas, they climbed into one of those typical Longs Peak wind events. According to Neal Beidleman: “… Along with Ted Mahon, Christian Pondella, Jon Hagman and Chris Davenport we attempted Long’s today. Fierce winds (80+ mph) and extremely cold temps (5 to 10F) made it impossible to reach the summit today. At about 12,500’ we decided it was unskiable in those conditions by man or beast. Another try is in order for Chris to get number 54 of 54…”
Word is they’ll try again soon. Knowing how Davenport gets things done, I’ve no doubt the second time’s the charm. If you’re cheering for Dav and his team, please leave a support comment!
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| Davenport makes a turn into the wind today on Longs Peak. Photo by Neal Beidleman, use by permission only. |
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| Longs Peak webcam shot from today shows pressure cloud from a major wind event. Throughout the day I was checking out the webcam, wondering how the team was doing up there and thinking they’d need their face masks! |
Backstory: Chris Davenport is attempting to ski all 54 14,000 foot Colorado peaks in one 12 month period. Longs Peak is his last and will complete the project.More info at his website.
Comments
18 Responses to “Shucks, Dav Doesn’t Make it Today on Longs Peak – Shut Down by Wind”
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Good on you Dav. God’s speed.
Alright, here is the first of I am sure many emails cheering you on Dav and team. I have been following your project with great earnest. I live in Boulder and I was thinking about the wind down here today and wondering what the mountain was like; I am sure up there was hell on Earth. Good luck finding a window, I can’t wait to read the trip report. You guys are an inspiration to us fledgling ski mountaineers. Thanks.
Go Chris! So close on quite a feat–glad the Sangres finally got some snow for ya.
hang in there mr. davenport! way to be patient! you are such an inspiring young man (ok, so that sounds lame, but is truly heartfelt).
Go Dav and crew.
GO DAV!!!!!!! Way to be safe. Good luck.
Keep up the good work fellas! We’re all proud and you’re almost there.
Good luck Dav!
I took a look at the pics on skithe14ers.com. The N. Face appears to be fairly devoid of snow. I hope you can find a line that will go. Unfortunately, our high winds have been scouring most of the above tree line terrain in the park.
There is a ski route from the summit down through the Homestretch, it gets blown off as well, but is definitely an option. Knowing Dav, he might find something else as well. Go Dav!
Best of Luck!
What route are they skiing on Longs?
Carl, standard ski route for a Longs Peak summit ski descent is the northerly face that faces the webcam, which is known as the “North Face” and has an easy rock climbing route called the “Cable Route.” The North Face is obviously not in skiable condition (unless the small chunks of snow link up better than it looks), so they probably have to do something off the south or southwest.
Go, Dav!!
Good Luck with that monster!
Thanks Everyone,
I’m off to Boulder right now for a 4 a.m. wake up and another trudge to the base of the North Face. We have some good intelligence that the Homestretch to Keplingers Couloir is dicey at best, but that looks likle the only option. The mountain will only give up what it wants to, so if I have to come back and ski it in the spring I’m gonna bring a keg up to the summit and throw a party.
Get after it Dav!!!!!
Good luck. We can’t wait to see more photos.
Friday Weather report for Estes Park indicates sunny day, light winds,and temps from single digit in the early morning to mid twenties for the highs. That’s good news for Dav. Looks like the only problems will be snowpack and finding a skiable route.
Good luck to Dav and his team.
I will supply the keg!! Hey, I work at a brewery, it is the least I can do. Good luck team.