The next morning, well rested and ready move, we stopped at the local 7-11 for quick cup of coffee and headed out toward the trail head. Traveling in a Mazda Protégé, we made it further up the trail (see Blanca 95 report) than the previous year. After parking and unloading our gear we had one last smoke and then started our accent.

We started at about 8:30am made it through the switchbacks and through Chokecherry Canyon with ease. After Chokeberry Canyon Steve started to pull away from Colby and I. We meet up him again at Holbrook Creek around noon. At this point everyone felt great, the weather was fine and we were making good time.

After having lunch, We crossed Holbrook Creek and started the final push to Lake Como. Colby and I started to move at about half the pace we had before. The Altitude was starting to hit us. Steve on the other hand was moving extremely fast and leaving us in the dust. About half way to the lake, a light rain started to fall. Then came the thunder and the rain started to pick up. Colby and I decided to pick up the pace. We were hoping that when we got to Lake Como, Steve would be there with camp already set up and dinner ready. We neglected to remember that although Steve had the tent, we had the poles and the cooking pot. Luckily for us this was a brief storm with no real lightning danger. We meet a well rested Steve at Lake Como at about 3pm. Colby and I were exhausted and pretty much just passed out after setting up camp. I woke up to dinner and sat back to watch the most amazing sunset I've ever seen.

The next morning Steve woke up Colby and I at 5:30. Again the Altitude had got the best of me, so Steve and Colby decided to attempt the summit by themselves. About a half hour after they left I was kicking myself for not going with them. I decided to climb up on the ridge to Little Bear and do some boldering. I finally got above 12000 feet and got great view of all three peaks and the blue lakes. Shortly after I returned to camp, Steve and Colby returned from the summit of Blanca, time 3pm. According to Steve the trail is a class 1 all the way to Crater lake, then class 2 to the saddle and summit with a little exposure. Colby had rough time after reaching the saddle. This was his first 14er and the altitude hit him hard. He doesn't remember reaching the summit and according to Steve "He looked like a ghost".

When they returned, we sat around camp for about an hour, then decided to do some more boldering about halfway up Little Bears west ridge. We shot some great video and witnessed another amazing sunset. From this spot on the ridge you can see all three peaks and connecting ridges. As the sun goes down, you instantly understand why they are called the "Sangre De Cristo's". It was unbelievable!

The next morning we made it back to the car in about three hours and started the journey back to Texas.

In all it was a great trip!

-Scott Parry