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| Run/Jog | 11.15 Miles |
3,607 AEG |
| | Run/Jog | 11.15 Miles | 3 Hrs 52 Mns 31 Secs | | 2.88 mph |
| 3,607 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Was trying to decide between Ptarmigan Peak and Buffalo Mtn, but I ended up going for the closer one. Everything was pretty socked in when I started. There are two options here - directly up the ridge, and a more indirect route that contours up the west side before a series of switchbacks. I opted for the direct route on the way up.
At around 10k the fog started clearing up, and I could see that it was mostly cloudy out, with the high elevations being completely socked in. So I wouldn't be getting a view at the summit unless that cleared up (it didn't).
The grade leveled out a bit when it hit treeline, and the last 500 feet or so of climbing was just an eerie little stroll through tundra. It's a bit unnerving being inside a cloud at over 12k feet, but I figured it was early enough in the morning that unstable weather would be a problem.
The way down was pleasant. The longer leg of the Ptarmigan loop features an overlook that is the typical turnaround for a lot of hikers, a couple of lush side creeks, and some mature aspen groves. I think it's prettier than the direct route. |
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