Trip
Snow Climb – Horseshoe Mountain - Boudoir Couloir Climb
Snow climb of Boudoir couloir – this is a good early season route to refresh your skills and check your gear.
Contacts
- Sat, May 3, 2025
- Denver
- Mountaineering
- Basic Alpine Climb
- Adults
- Easy C
- Moderate
- Mileage: 6.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft
- High Point Elevation: 13,898 ft
- 1 (6 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Subject to conditions, I nominally plan to wake at 4:00 am to leave camp 5:00 for the quick approach to the base of couloir. From the couloir we will summit nearby Horseshoe mountain. The top of the mountain should offer great morning views of 14ers Sherman, Massive, and Elbert as well as nearby Leadville.
Previous descriptions of the route may be found at:
https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=201306020700583
https://www.summitpost.org/boudoir-couloir/193964
This trip is a good snow refresher, with modest mileage and typical elevation gain. The snow climb itself is exploratory (I have not visited Horseshoe mountain before). The trip is intended for those with previous snow experience – CMC Alpine Climbing School (ACS snow courses) or the former Basic Mountaineering School (BMS) is a pre-requisite. If you are inquiring to join the trip, please describe: (a) similar ‘snow climbing’ or 'big peak' experiences you have done recently, and (b) when you took ACS, BMS, or equivalent (and the date of).
Trip officially starts in Horseshoe basin near the Leavick site. Participants are welcome to rideshare or caravan after work Friday evening, 2025/5/02 to car camp overnight in the valley.
Required Equipment
Don’t forget trip gear including snow shoes, helmet, ice axe, crampons, water, and extra layers.
Helpful but optional gear includes: gaiters, and a (light weight) climbing harness.
Overnight gear and food depends on your own style and comfort level.