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Cotton Picker

WI4, Ice, 350 ft (106 m), 2 pitches,  Avg: 2.5 from 2 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > CO Ice & Mixed > Lake City > Cottonwood Creek (She…

Description

This is a worthwhile two-pitch climb in the next north-facing drainage to the right (west) of Cotton Mouth.

P1. WI4, 70m. Climb easy ice to a steeper headwall leading to more low-angle ice, then anchor on small trees or ice when your rope runs out.

P1.5. Ramble up snow or easy ice to the major fork in the gully a couple hundred feet up. The next pitch is obvious in the slot to the right.

P2. WI3, 35m. Climb the featured flow to anchor on a tree to right in the gully above.

There is also a small pitch (30 feet) of WI2-3 in the left fork of the main gully for bonus mileage.

Rap off trees and/or v-threads to descend.

This steep dual gully system continues up for 2,000 feet, so keep an eye on avalanche hazard.

Location

From the plowed Cataract Gulch trailhead, continue west up the Cottonwood Creek Road (CR 35) for 1.5 miles, just past the slabs of Cotton Mouth to the next obvious flow. Look for the path of least resistance to drop down, cross Cottonwood Creek, and hike on up to the climb.

Protection

Two 70m ropes and a standard ice rack.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Dylan on P1.
[Hide Photo] Dylan on P1.
Rapping back down P2.
[Hide Photo] Rapping back down P2.
Cotton Picker as seen from the Cottonwood Creek Road. The 2nd pitch is not visible.
[Hide Photo] Cotton Picker as seen from the Cottonwood Creek Road. The 2nd pitch is not visible.