Beta shot for posing down hard on the summit of Ypsilon, Sam Flournoy and Ryne Greene.

All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock > Ypsilon Mountain > Blitzen Ridge (5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c)

Beta shot for posing down hard on the summit of Ypsilon, Sam Flournoy and Ryne Greene.

ID 1205670 ·

Flag This Photo

The Four Aces and final headwall - the meat of the route

The Aces, July '04.

Rate Photo

1.0 from 1 vote

sam flournoy

Mar 29, 2005

“Beta shot for posing down hard on the summit of Ypsilon, Sam Flournoy and Ryne Greene.”

0 Comments

Nearby Photos

Wade Morris near the top of the 3rd Ace, 2017 Winter.

Wow! Exposure at its best. 6/06.

Beautiful alpine forget-me-nots found below Donner Ridge. 6/06

Wade Morris on top of the 2nd (?) Ace in Winter.

Wade Morris and I shouldered 40lb+ training packs and jumped on the Blitzen Ridge in the winter of 2017. It proved to be a very productive, and full-on AK training mission.

Photo by Avery N.<br>
<br>
The Aces as seen from the Y couloir.<br>
July 3rd, 2004.

Gorgeous columbine, 6/06.

Approaching the First Ace.

The clouds break over the Aces.

Lower Spectacle Lake.

The full cirque (with most of the traverse we did).

Blitzen track with Chapin TH descent.

Good view of the Aces.

From First Ace, killer views!

Easy going so far on Donner.

En route to the summit. Spectacular! 6/06.

Kepley on the Blitzen's airy final approach.

'Aces high' and the final approach ridge of the Blitzen.

Just below the summit, on the descent. Blitzen on the left and Donner on the right.

Approach gully from lower Spectacle Lake.

Meaty part of the Blitzen Ridge.

Spectacle Lakes from the approach gully.

Donner Ridge (descent we used).

Tony M. on Ace 1.

Another view of Spectacle Lakes and Donner Ridge.

Progress so far.

Donner Ridge (routefinding was fairly easy; we made a couple of mid-class 5 downclimbing moves).

The Four Aces and final headwall - the meat of the route

Beta shot for posing down hard on the summit of Ypsilon, Sam Flournoy and Ryne Greene.

The Aces, July '04.

Sunrise view of the upper cirque, Blitzen on the right, Donner on the left, and the late season Y Couloir central.

The final section of Blitzen Ridge, photo taken 7/4/2018. Minimal snow and blue skies all day for a great day of independence. It was at this point that I was feeling happy to see hikers on the summit - was able to hitch a ride from the Chapin side.

Blitzen meeting the "Y". July '04.

Bill Duncan and the Blitzen Ridge.

Back to lower Spectacle Lake.

A good 5.5-5.6 option on the 4th ace. Soloists, watch for those loose flakes.

The upper section of Blitzen Ridge.

Looking across the cirque.

Hard to see the Aces from this angle.

Most of the rock on the exposed bits was good (for CO).

Exposure.

I took this while belaying a climber down the 4th Ace. In background see a lead climber on the final headwall.

Keen traversing around the Fourth Ace.

Ryne Greene about done with the thousand feet of 4th class. Photo taken just before he couldn't take the exposure and asked to be short roped by partner, Sam Flournoy.

Looking across to Blitzen Ridge as we start the descent down Donner Ridge.

Ypsilon from the top of the direct approach from Ypsilon Lake.

Looking back at the fouth and third ace from the top of the headwall.

Traversing around The Fourth Ace.

Tony M. with Spectacle Lakes below.

Final descent down to the Spectacle Lakes.

Ypsilon from Chipmunk Lake.

Fast and light afternoon ascent of Blitzen ridge with Stefan Griebel. Downclimbing one of the aces before continuing up.

Keen Butterworth enjoying the smashing view of the lower Ypsilon cirque from atop the Blitzen Ridge headwall.

The downclimb on the back of the third Ace.

Looking down Blitzen Ridge.

Almost past the Aces.

About to start the 4 Aces.

And the ridge goes on.

The Blitz.

Bypassing the tower on the ledge system.

A life outdoors is a life well lived.

As part of the REI Co-op family, we're dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places where they love to play.

Download Our Free App

iOS App Store

Android App Store

Mountain Project

About Free Stickers Widgets API

Community

Forum

Help

Help Center