A really impressive video for an impressive first 14er summit:
Blanca Peak is the fourth highest summit in Colorado and highest in the Sangre de Cristo Range. It is most easily accessed via Lake Como trail, a.k.a. the “Trail of Tears” by the King family. Most of this video was shot in September of 2009, though there are shots of Blanca’s east face from the Huerfano River side shot in June of that year and a nice time lapse shot from companion peak Little Bear in 2007. This was brother Matt’s first 14er summit; a worthy accomplishment coming from Lincoln, NE. Look for very cool time lapse of Little Bear as seen from Blanca.
There’s more on Blanca over at 14ers.com.
blanca is a neat mountain — the approach from the desert floor is fun, one brutal day climb. a road goes to nearly 12,500 or so, but it’s advertised as the most difficult 4wd road in colorado. i saw parts of vehicles all over it that had fallen off due to the abuse. a placard marking the death of a driver too. beyond the twin lakes it’s all rocky (but not gravel pile hell). it gets a little class III ish for the last 400 feet but no big worries.
little bear is kinda dicey from what i’ve read/heard. there was a death on it a week before i climbed blanca.