Quicksilver  M3+ Mod. Snow R

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Type:  Trad, Mixed, Snow, 1000 feet, Grade III Consensus:  M3+ [details] FA:  Harry Kent, Michael Covington & Casey Swanson 1974. (variation: Rick Strong & John Marrs, 1987) Season:  Fall & Spring Submitted By:  Greg Sievers on Oct 30, 2006 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (3) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

BETA PHOTO: Quicksilver Route, Taylor Peak

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Description 

Begin at the very highest point of the snowfield and climb a couple pitches trending left toward the ridge. Traverse back right and into a bowl. Trend left then follow the obvious relief toward the upper bowl and skyline notch.

Frozen Spring conditions may be best. Ken Younge & I did it in early April 2002. We were several hours late and post-holed in knee deep slush. Styrofoam type frozen snow would be ideal.

Location 

Ascend the talus from Sky Pond and head left (west). Get on the snowfield and continue west to it highest point.

Protection 

A light alpine rack. (A picket or 2 may be helpful in frozen spring snow conditions).

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By Krister Sorensen From: Centennial, CO Feb 11, 2007

"Colorado Ice" by Jack Roberts lists the FA to be by Doug Scott, Doug Snively, and Mike Covington.

By Gordon Laurens Mar 19, 2012

I did this route on March 18th 2012. It has to be one of the classics of Rocky Mountain alpine climbs. The position is spectacular. The opening moves on the first pitch are spicy M4, followed by steep snow. The 3rd pitch is also mixed at challenging M4 to gain the upper snowfield. The upper snowfield pitches are incredible. Be sure to take a couple of snow pickets for gear on these pitches. The upper snowfield goes into the shade after about 1 pm in March, so the snow does start to consolidate in the afternoon. On the walk in to Taylor Peak, March 18, 2012. Submitted By: Gordon Laurens on Mar 19, 2012 Climbing the snowfield on pitch 1. Climber: John Christie. Submitted By: Gordon Laurens on Mar 19, 2012 Starting out on the second pitch on Quicksilver. Climber: John Christie. Submitted By: Gordon Laurens on Mar 19, 2012 Starting pitch 6 on Quicksilver. This is the last pitch up the upper snowfield which is three 200ft pitches in length. Submitted By: Gordon Laurens on Mar 19, 2012