Quandary Peak

July 8, 1999 - East Ridge

 

Quandary was the first peak of a climbing weekend that would complete my pursuit of the 10 Mile and Mosquito Range 14ers.  I got what I would now characterize as a late start and parked at the trailhead at seven in the morning.  There were already a dozen cars parked along the Monte Christo road so I knew I would have plenty of company on the hike up the east flank of Quandary.  The trail was obvious, a touch of old road and lots of well traveled dirt leading up to a brief steep section and then on up the ridge portion of the peak.  There were a few steep parts but it was mostly a case of just putting one foot in front of the other until I reached the top.

The only real thing of interest on Quandary that day was a certified weirdo on the summit.  This dude was wearing some sort of a cloak looking cassock, high top hiking boots and a touch of white make-up on his face.  What the story was with this guy I have no idea but I know another climber who saw the same dude on top of another peak.  He seemed to be holding court of some sort and had the attention of more than a few of the crowd of Cottoneers on the summit.  I did not stick around for a dose of his wisdom but instead headed down to secure a camp spot for the next day’s climb, Mount Sherman.