Great vid man! Quandary was my first winter 14er. For various reasons I will not go into here I failed Quandary in the summer twice. After that, I did not want to wait until the summer to tackle it (felt cheap). With no winter hiking experience Quandary was where I started. I finally summited on the 5th try! Silly things threw me off. One instance I lost the trail when the snow blew over my tracks and the next time I lost feeling in my fingers switching from snowshoes to spikes, and got scared. I learned a lot (and thankfully didn't die) hiking for the first time in winter trying Quandary.
Absolutely stunning shots!!! Love your videos! Thank you for your work you put into these! Let’s me escape from the daily rut! I’ll be doing this one soon again !
Hey man, some really lovely drone footage up there at the summit! A winter sunset summit is the opposite of last time I was up in those parts - on Labor Day 2019, I did Decalibron with a friend. We started at 5am and it was already crowded! I remember peering at Quandary with my little (but powerful) binocs and could see a literal line up to the summit. Must be nice to have it all to yourself. Thanks for the effort you put into your videos. I love watching while I'm indoors exercising in my personal at-home pain cave (treadmill, stationary bike, etc).
I hiked Quandary last summer. It was my second ever 14er and was absolutely brutal. Told myself I'd never do it again but I'm definitely reconsidering after watching this. Awesome shots and some pristine-looking conditions. Hope to see you out on the trails sometime!
Good informative video. I missed the Quandary peak trail near beginning on the left April 10th 2022.It didn't look too well traveled and steep. So Ended up skinning straight up road for several miles and explored some hills and old trails . Should have watched this video first.
This is a fun hike, I brought a group up last summer. Thanks for making this video, it helped me as I'm getting ready to go back up for my earliest 14er yet.
👍👍 Nice shots. Saturation was gorgeous. I did Quandary last summer. The loose rocks make for a hard ascent and descent and I rolled my ankle a couple of times on the way down. Looks like it might be easier in winter with the snow packed down like that.
Awesome video and incredible footage! Was this filmed before the storm this past weekend? Wanting to ski the bowls, but conditions look thin in the video.
Yeah this was right before the last storm and it was super thin above treeline. Was glad I didn't bring the split for this one. Think the coverage should be better now but maybe 1-2 storms more would make it "prime"
Thanks - Bierstadt, Evans Grays/Torreys are all solid but have much higher avi risk than Quandary. Bierstadt is probably the "safest" in terms of avi risk out of that group.
Love your videos! Great preparation for my move out there in a week! Quick question…when would you start to consider carrying an ice axe? If I plan on doing mostly hikes like this in the winter, are they even necessary? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Steve - I would only recommend carrying gear if you know how to use it - ice axe/crampons etc. If you plan on doing stuff with snow though, knowing how to self arrest (with an axe) is generally pretty good knowledge to have. My rule of thumb is usually - if there is a chance I will be on steeper snow I am always packing at least microspikes and some kind of axe just in case. For something like Quandary, you would probably wouldnt need it - but wouldn't hurt to have.
@@TheVirtualSherpa Great advice, thank you! I have been obsessing about this move so I have actually been doing a bunch of research on my own about microspikes, general use of an ice axe, self arrest, and also general avalanche knowledge, but I was also planning on taking some sort of basic mountaineering course or something when I get out there. I’m so pumped to get into the mountains! Thanks for reply and all the great content my dude!
Thanks for the great tips and awesome filming! A quick question about conditions - how windy is too windy to climb Quandary in winter in your opinion? Is a 'considerable' avi danger above treeline a no-go? I'll be around the next weekend just for 2 days and unfortunately won't have luxury of waiting for the weather window, but of course safety first.
Hey Elena - avi conditions should not be a problem, so long as you stay on the main route/trail. In terms of wind, it comes down to personal tolerance. Mine is fairly low but as a general rule, I would say anything over 25-30 consistent or 35+ gusts is usually a deal breaker for most people. Next weekend is looking like less than ideal with weather currently, but hopefully that changes for you!
@@TheVirtualSherpa thanks for the quick reply 🙏 I am also a bit concerned about missing the winter route which avoids avalanche terrain. I assume, all maps on the internet are for the summer trail. Do you know if there's a proper trail map I could download and use? Or there's a visible trail which I just need to follow?
What would you suggest is an ideal time of day to summit by if I do not want to hike down in the dark? It’s my first 14er and I will be attempting this the first week of November
I would suggest starting early (4/5AM) we should allow you plenty of time to be on the summit and back to the car before dark. If you are looking to avoid dark altogether, you will just need to ensure that you are starting by 7ish and back to the car before 5:30ish. I should clarify that I did intend to summit at sunset for this video.
Depends on the day, usually I would say no since its so well traveled. After a storm, probably will help you out quite a bit, especially to avoid those avi prone areas.
Me and my fiance are doing our honeymoon in Colorado early November and want to do a 14er. Would Quandary be a good one? (We have never done a 14er before)
Could be great - could be a sufferfest. I’d poke around the channel and website for some more general 14er advice (what to pack, winter 14er rankings, easiest etc.) Will likely be very useful - sounds like my kind of honeymoon though - good for you both and congrats!
You really only need a mountain axe when the grade of the slope you are traveling up is steep enough to warrant one. This sort of depends on the person's experience/preference but its never a bad thing to have in the bag as long as you know how to properly use it. Quandary typically wouldn't require one unless you were traveling up one of its couloirs.
I am speaking to a broader audience and conditions than what I had that day. If you know this route well enough and stay on trail - you do not enter into avi terrain and its not 100% necessary. Good to have, but not a deal breaker. If you are skiing/boarding - you likely are not descending the trail and hence entering into potential avi terrain.
@@TheVirtualSherpa but the entire route up you could see skiers and boarders carving tracks following the trail down. If you did this, beacon probe shovel probably not needed?
My bottom line would be this: if you are skiing/boarding down - bring (and more importantly, know how to use) a beacon shovel and probe - not just for you but for others around you.
I love this channel
Great vid man! Quandary was my first winter 14er. For various reasons I will not go into here I failed Quandary in the summer twice. After that, I did not want to wait until the summer to tackle it (felt cheap). With no winter hiking experience Quandary was where I started. I finally summited on the 5th try! Silly things threw me off. One instance I lost the trail when the snow blew over my tracks and the next time I lost feeling in my fingers switching from snowshoes to spikes, and got scared. I learned a lot (and thankfully didn't die) hiking for the first time in winter trying Quandary.
Heading up this Friday night to hike quandary Sat am. Thanks for the guide
This may be your best video yet Sherpa dude!
🤟🏽
One of my favorite channels, I'm a newcomer to backpacking and I've learned so much from your videos, Thank you
I'm looking to do this one on New Years day, 2023! Thanks for all the help!
Absolutely stunning shots!!! Love your videos! Thank you for your work you put into these! Let’s me escape from the daily rut! I’ll be doing this one soon again !
Hey man, some really lovely drone footage up there at the summit! A winter sunset summit is the opposite of last time I was up in those parts - on Labor Day 2019, I did Decalibron with a friend. We started at 5am and it was already crowded! I remember peering at Quandary with my little (but powerful) binocs and could see a literal line up to the summit. Must be nice to have it all to yourself.
Thanks for the effort you put into your videos. I love watching while I'm indoors exercising in my personal at-home pain cave (treadmill, stationary bike, etc).
After all of these years, I have learned a few tricks to the trade but also some luck involved to get this one to myself. Glad you enjoyed!
What an incredible video. If it does not inspire you, not sure what else could. Thank you for making these.
I appreciate your commentary and insight. Thank you!
Always enjoy Your videos Sir. Beautiful scenery. Thank You.
Your footage and editing get better every post. Amazing video of this one 💪
nice drone work G! cant wait to see what its like in the future!
Great video and a beautiful sunset!
I hiked Quandary last summer. It was my second ever 14er and was absolutely brutal. Told myself I'd never do it again but I'm definitely reconsidering after watching this. Awesome shots and some pristine-looking conditions. Hope to see you out on the trails sometime!
Love your drone photos! One of your best videos ever!
Tons of false summits! Wow! I did it back in the day and got so frustrated! It was a great hike! Great video! Thanks! Love your cameras!
I love Colorado
Thanks Virtual Sherpa
Excellent video! We are going to give this a 2nd try later this week (weather permitting). Good info and nice inspiration.
Good informative video. I missed the Quandary peak trail near beginning on the left April 10th 2022.It didn't look too well traveled and steep. So Ended up skinning straight up road for several miles and explored some hills and old trails . Should have watched this video first.
This is a fun hike, I brought a group up last summer. Thanks for making this video, it helped me as I'm getting ready to go back up for my earliest 14er yet.
Would you recommend quandry in the winter for a beginner?
Awesome video! I would never dream of hiking a California 14er in the winter, but this one looks quite doable!
Always the best info thanks
Great drone footage!
Great video !
👍👍 Nice shots. Saturation was gorgeous.
I did Quandary last summer. The loose rocks make for a hard ascent and descent and I rolled my ankle a couple of times on the way down. Looks like it might be easier in winter with the snow packed down like that.
Yeah the snow is hit or miss, but the hardpacked stuff like I had definitely makes it easier if you have the traction vs the loose crap.
Another one! Another great video. My fav shots start at 15:16
Loved all the end stuff as well, the angles and shots near the summit are just unlimited.
dope footage
AWESOME 👌
Great video - A bit bummed at the lack of snow up high as I was hoping to ski it the end of April. Perhaps will be hiking instead!
Very thin this year - think the last storm helped but def gotta beware of the 🦈 still
Man that looked awesome. Crazy how you were alone at summit!
Awesome video and incredible footage! Was this filmed before the storm this past weekend? Wanting to ski the bowls, but conditions look thin in the video.
Yeah this was right before the last storm and it was super thin above treeline. Was glad I didn't bring the split for this one. Think the coverage should be better now but maybe 1-2 storms more would make it "prime"
Breck is the best town by a 14er, but Quandary is on the mid side of 14ers.
Loved all the drone shots in this one! Any other winter 14er routes you'd recommend for someone used to hiking but newer to winter mountaineering?
Thanks - Bierstadt, Evans Grays/Torreys are all solid but have much higher avi risk than Quandary. Bierstadt is probably the "safest" in terms of avi risk out of that group.
@@TheVirtualSherpa Excellent thanks!
Love your videos! Great preparation for my move out there in a week! Quick question…when would you start to consider carrying an ice axe? If I plan on doing mostly hikes like this in the winter, are they even necessary? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hey Steve - I would only recommend carrying gear if you know how to use it - ice axe/crampons etc. If you plan on doing stuff with snow though, knowing how to self arrest (with an axe) is generally pretty good knowledge to have. My rule of thumb is usually - if there is a chance I will be on steeper snow I am always packing at least microspikes and some kind of axe just in case. For something like Quandary, you would probably wouldnt need it - but wouldn't hurt to have.
@@TheVirtualSherpa Great advice, thank you! I have been obsessing about this move so I have actually been doing a bunch of research on my own about microspikes, general use of an ice axe, self arrest, and also general avalanche knowledge, but I was also planning on taking some sort of basic mountaineering course or something when I get out there. I’m so pumped to get into the mountains! Thanks for reply and all the great content my dude!
Thanks for the great tips and awesome filming! A quick question about conditions - how windy is too windy to climb Quandary in winter in your opinion? Is a 'considerable' avi danger above treeline a no-go? I'll be around the next weekend just for 2 days and unfortunately won't have luxury of waiting for the weather window, but of course safety first.
Hey Elena - avi conditions should not be a problem, so long as you stay on the main route/trail. In terms of wind, it comes down to personal tolerance. Mine is fairly low but as a general rule, I would say anything over 25-30 consistent or 35+ gusts is usually a deal breaker for most people. Next weekend is looking like less than ideal with weather currently, but hopefully that changes for you!
@@TheVirtualSherpa thanks for the quick reply 🙏 I am also a bit concerned about missing the winter route which avoids avalanche terrain. I assume, all maps on the internet are for the summer trail. Do you know if there's a proper trail map I could download and use? Or there's a visible trail which I just need to follow?
Nice track in minute 15! Who's the artist?
Patrick Patrikios - Average
czcams.com/video/ievn54nV54Q/video.html
What would you suggest is an ideal time of day to summit by if I do not want to hike down in the dark? It’s my first 14er and I will be attempting this the first week of November
I would suggest starting early (4/5AM) we should allow you plenty of time to be on the summit and back to the car before dark. If you are looking to avoid dark altogether, you will just need to ensure that you are starting by 7ish and back to the car before 5:30ish. I should clarify that I did intend to summit at sunset for this video.
grat vid. how was it hiking down in the dark? did you intend a late start?
Yeah I did - the plan was to summit around sunset.
What drone did you use for those shots? Looks like it has follow-me mode
All gear linked in the video description 👍🏽
Is a Garmin heavily needed for this, or will it still be easy without it?
Depends on the day, usually I would say no since its so well traveled. After a storm, probably will help you out quite a bit, especially to avoid those avi prone areas.
Maybe easier on the feet without all the loose rock in warmer months??
What kind of drone took this footage?
Is there a good website or resource you recommend to check avalanche risk on particular trails (like this one)?
Check out this video czcams.com/video/-00uegvd0C4/video.html 👍🏽
@@TheVirtualSherpa Thanks
Me and my fiance are doing our honeymoon in Colorado early November and want to do a 14er. Would Quandary be a good one? (We have never done a 14er before)
Could be great - could be a sufferfest. I’d poke around the channel and website for some more general 14er advice (what to pack, winter 14er rankings, easiest etc.) Will likely be very useful - sounds like my kind of honeymoon though - good for you both and congrats!
@@TheVirtualSherpa Thanks! I'll definitely check out your other resources. Also, I absolutely love the content keep up the awesome work! 👍
What month was this?
When do you bring an ice axe
You really only need a mountain axe when the grade of the slope you are traveling up is steep enough to warrant one. This sort of depends on the person's experience/preference but its never a bad thing to have in the bag as long as you know how to properly use it. Quandary typically wouldn't require one unless you were traveling up one of its couloirs.
@@TheVirtualSherpa very helpful thanks
Why do you say "beacon, probe and shovel" for boarding back down, but you don't say it's necessary for hikers? They are following the same route...?
I am speaking to a broader audience and conditions than what I had that day. If you know this route well enough and stay on trail - you do not enter into avi terrain and its not 100% necessary. Good to have, but not a deal breaker. If you are skiing/boarding - you likely are not descending the trail and hence entering into potential avi terrain.
@@TheVirtualSherpa but the entire route up you could see skiers and boarders carving tracks following the trail down. If you did this, beacon probe shovel probably not needed?
My bottom line would be this: if you are skiing/boarding down - bring (and more importantly, know how to use) a beacon shovel and probe - not just for you but for others around you.
So apparently quandary is a pay to climb now... eventually every 14er will go the same way as Culebra I suppose
Correct - unfortunately Quandary is moving to a reservation system. Less about money more about managing crowds but still sucks. www.parkquandary.com/