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  • Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle as seen from our camp at 11,800 feet along Cottonwood Creek Saturday morning. The backpack to this point yesterday took nearly 7.5 hours and was very grueling, especially under heavy overnight packs with avalanche and technical gear. width:640;;height:357
  • The top of Crestone Peak is nicely lit by the early morning sun. The South Couloir (aka Red Gully) is the obvious line of snow down the center. width:640;;height:375
  • A closer look at the Red Gully. width:640;;height:366
  • Looking south as we approach the Red Gully. We've finally cached our snowshoes after much postholing. width:640;;height:360
  • Dominic stands at the base of Crestone Peak's south face pondering our line. width:640;;height:360
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  • Crampons feel good from the start. We begin scrambling up snowy rock well to climbers right of the couloir. width:640;;height:360
  • Crestone Needle makes a nice backdrop. width:640;;height:360
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  • After several hundred feet of scrambling the couloir pops back into view. width:640;;height:360
  • We continue up alongside the couloir. width:640;;height:360
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  • Finally near 13,800 feet we find a reasonable looking traverse to get into the couloir proper. It requires descending just a hair. width:640;;height:360
  • Dominic traverses toward the Red Gully. width:640;;height:360
  • Dominic rounds the corner into the couloir. width:640;;height:338
  • Looking up the couloir from our point of entry. We're happy to see some rocks poking through. width:640;;height:360
  • Initially we stick very close to the right side of the couloir next to (and sometimes partly on) rock. The snow doesn't feel unstable but its generally not well consolidated either. Wallowing is frustrating. width:303;;height:480
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  • In the very top portion we feel most exposed to avalanches but conditions are good here. The snow is firm, fairly deep in places, but there are no particularly problematic looking layers in there. width:640;;height:360
  • Dominic starts the final scramble along the summit ridge. width:640;;height:360
  • We thoughtfully make our way along the side of the ridge. width:640;;height:360
  • The exposure is noticeable but we're comfortable unroped. We calculate every move. width:640;;height:360
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  • Dominic tops out on the summit of Crestone Peak. width:640;;height:360
  • Can you tell he's exhausted?! This is our winter Sangre de Cristo 14er finisher and it was a toughie!!! width:640;;height:351
  • Challenger point (left), Kit Carson Mountain (center) and Columbia Point (right) as seen from Crestone Peak. width:640;;height:350
  • Crestone Needle width:640;;height:360
  • Dominic begins the descent. width:270;;height:480
  • Dominic pauses on a slabby, thoughtful part of the traverse out of the couloir. width:640;;height:360
  • The sun begins to set on the Crestones as we chill at camp Saturday evening. width:640;;height:361
  • Sunset from our camp along Cottonwood Creek. width:640;;height:360
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