Guanella Pass to Loveland Pass

[bclarkmtn]

Possible FKT of the line in the links below. It traces from the upper parking lot at Guanella Pass outside Georgetown, Co summits 6 peaks and ends at the 11'990' parking lot at Loveland Pass. It includes the classic Front Range 14'er Peaks Grays and Torreys as well as 13'ers Grizzly Peak, Argentine Peak, Mt. Edwards and Square Top. Although non technical from the alpinists standpoint, it has some limited exposure and route finding. 

www.fourteeners.org/ranges/front/gond/gondwanaland.htm

www.summitpost.org/guanella-pass-to-loveland-pass/224487

www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=12550

The time I had was 4:40:46, there is some conflicting data in the links which makes the outing a little larger but my Suunto ended with: 13.4 miles, 6700' in vertical gain and 6300' in loss, over 6 major summits and some occasional sub peaks with an average elevation of 13,285'. www.movescount.com/moves/move36654558

I scouted it once in 2012 before this attempt and visibility had been poor that morning. If this is an FKT I think it would be soft and hope others will investigate the line! 

[Peter J.]

Nice run, this is a classic line. I've done the traverse in 3:37 and I believe TK did it last year or the year before in 3:17. The full line, which I call Pangaea goes from Guanella to Berthoud on the Divide the whole time. It is around 44 miles and 22,000' gain.

[bclarkmtn]

Peter J, did you do it TH to TH in a gun time of 3:37? I did it with TK in 2012 while filming and he used his "moving time only" and I think he came up with 3:21 but we stopped and shot a lot and were really out there over 5 hours. Either way, great effort.


I felt my time was soft as I made slow decisions between Edwards and Grays and pulled a class 2 sprain on my left ankle in at the saddle between Grizzly and Torreys. The 4:40:46 time was a gun time, albiet not as stellar as yours, not sure the sprain was worth the week off I have had to take!

[Peter J.]

My time was total time. I don't do "moving time" as I don't believe that is a real reflection of the time or effort. I did it from road to road, but I might have taken a short cut or two up to Square Top and then on a few sections coming down Grizzly to Loveland (i.e., I didn't stay on the trail, but followed the direct line). Yes, there is a bit of route finding on the Edwards to Grays saddle for the fastest line. Good time with a sprained ankle!