CONGRATULATIONS TO Jsarche FOR FTF!!
The forecast for the Loveland Pass vicinity was for winds in the range of 20-25 mph, with occasional gusts to 35. Fortunately, we came prepared for much worse conditions and we quickly discovered that we needed the goggles, balaclavas, and wind-blocker fleeces, mitts and windpants/jackets we had packed! Even on this day in late May our entire 6-mile climb was made in winds that were sustained at 60-75 mph; we were buffeted around and blown off our feet repeatedly. When we held our trekking poles through the loops and let them free, they blew to right angles from the ground! Spin-drifted snow pelted us constantly.
Yes, the winds on our approach to and return from Grizzly Peak (13,427') were unBEARable!
I had difficulty hiding the cache in these conditions. I was being thrown around and it was tough to concentrate on the detail. The rock wind wall at the summit was drifted full of snow, and few of the rocks poked above the wind-deposited snow accumulations. Exposed rocks were solidly frozen together. I eventually was able to poke the camoed pill vial between a couple of small rocks. It might take your persistence to locate it, but it’s there!
Make this hike to the summit of Grizzly Peak on a NICE day! Plan for several hours for the climb and your return to Loveland Pass. Years ago, when I made my first trek to the top of Grizzly, I enjoyed nice weather, and I found a summit register on the lee side of the rock wall. It might still be there for your signature [but for me on this trip, it would have been covered by deep snow!]
Find the summit log, and sign it. Then find the cache. Be patient. I hope you don’t have “unBEARable” winds on Ursus horribilis (the scientific name for the Grizzly–recently the name was changed to Ursus arctos horribilis).
Unbearable Winds on Ursus horribilis
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