Check the Weather: In winter, a few factors combine to determine how favorable conditions will be: recent snowfall totals, sun exposure, average temperature, and wind speed. The golden trifecta is to find a day with full sun, a high in the double-digits, and minimal wind, but these days are rare.
To help gauge conditions in the mountains, I always have at least one Mountain Forecast tab open on my phone. It’s a reliable resource for tracking the weather on high peaks across the globe. Mountain Forecast also calculates wind chill, which is important to take into consideration. For instance, a day that’s forecasted to have a high of 16 F, with 10 mph winds translates to a wind chill of about 4 F. Stronger winds can also lead to poor visibility as spindrift clouds the air.
Understanding snow conditions is trickier business. Knowing total snowfall for the current season and recent snow accumulation will give you some idea, but above treeline, high winds can often wipe some aspects clean of snow while deeply drifting others. Windy is a useful app for watching close-range weather systems and OpenSnow (not free) provides a bigger-picture breakdown of snow conditions. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Instagram account also routinely posts conditions updates, avalanche reports, and other educational information. Fortunately, Mt. Elbert’s East Ridge is regarded as very low-risk winter terrain and post-holing through deep snow will likely be the most dangerous, and annoying, conditions you find on the mountain.
Trip Report: Winter Hiking Mount Elbert’s East Ridge
On this Decemeber day the trail was pretty well packed down as we left the lower parking area, hiked the 4WD road to join the trail, traversed through aspen groves and ascended switchbacks. Just shy of 12,000 feet, we hit treeline and the thinning canopy opened up to reveal the hard piercing blue of the day’s clear sky.
By this point, we could tell that we were trailing another party of two and we were grateful to follow their steps in deeper sections of drifted punchy snow. Higher up, as the bow-shaped ridge settled on a more honest east-facing angle, the surface under foot turned wind-hammered and the snow became textured with sastrugi—a sign of things to come.
Pretty soon, we were getting blasted with frigid gusts; although the day was relatively warm, the wind was making sure that we wouldn’t get off too easily. We layered up in wind shells, pulled buffs over our noses, leaned heavily on our poles and toiled on.
It’s always at this point on a 14er, when about 1,000 vertical feet remain, that I find it’s most important to not wish too desperately for the summit: the last 25% feels like the hardest part. As if sent to distract, four bighorn sheep danced across the skyline in the distance, headlong into the wind we were fighting.
Miraculously, the wind let off a bit on the summit, gracing us with enough time to appreciate the surrounding snow-clad peaks of the Sawatch. Still, we didn’t linger too long as we still had the remaining descent separating us from the car. It was only after we’d trundled back down to the cover of the trees and escaped the wind, that we were able to chat about the day. I hope it sets the tone for more to come this winter.
How to Fuel Your Hike Up Mount Elbert
I start with 1.5 to 2 liters of water. I prefer to carry mine in soft flasks for winter outings, since you can carry them close to the body to keep them from freezing. Hoses of water bladders are more prone to freezing. Carrying a couple different soft flasks also allows you to put a higher calorie drink mix, or electrolyte mix, in one. Rather than starting with more than 2L of water, I will stuff snow in an empty flask and thaw it close to my body (say, in my waistband) if I am concerned with running out of water. Carrying a lightweight stove and melting snow to make water is also an option.
For food, I try to consume 200-300 calories per hour, starting in the second hour. Altitude can depress both hunger and thirst, so I keep my snacks on a schedule, rather than relying on perception. Eating gummies and gels works better for me while going up when aerobic demands are higher. I like to bring a real food snack for the summit (bean and cheese burrito, cookie, or Bobo PBJ bar). I find it’s easier for me to eat bars and solid food when going back down the mountain.