#26 North Apostle 13,860 ft.
Date: May 23, 2013
Team: Ted, Dav, Christy, Art Burrows, Scott Rinckenberger
Route: Ice Mountain – Refrigerator Couloir, North Apostle – West Face
(We skied North Apostle from Ice Mountain, this trip report covers both peaks.)
“Approach Ice with caution, wear a helmet, and, if possible, pour a little ice in your veins.” – Gerry Roach, author of Colorado Thirteeners.
Even though we like to poke fun at Roach’s descriptions of the routes on Colorado’s high thirteeners, we did approach the Refrigerator Couloir on Ice Mountain, 13,951 ft, with care. Though it’s touted as the toughest, most dangerous mountaineering route in the Sawatch, we had all been looking forward to skiing this classic line for awhile. Also part of Three Apostles, and a Centennial peak, we climbed and skied neighboring North Apostle (13,860 ft.) as well, and had a fun ski run down its west slopes.
We’re leaving the Sawatch for the Sangres right now and have to keep things brief. Suffice to say, it was an awesome day up high, we’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
