A tough backpack and two rewarding winter summits
The Spanish Creek approach to Kit Carson Mountain is not used very often. Climbers wishing to reach the beautiful but rarely visited south side of the mountain must endure a full mile of deadfall en route. The Kit Carson massif can be seen in the background.
The famous Prow is an impressive fin of rock jutting south from the summit of Kit Carson. It is considered to be one of Colorado's classic alpine rock climbs.
Camp at 11,800 feet along Spanish Creek. Kit Carson Mountain and Columbia Point tower overhead. The South Couloir (aka Cole's Couloir) leads to the saddle between the two.
Kit Carson Mountain and The Prow as seen from camp.
Crestone Peak pops into view as we
continue up the Spanish Creek draiange later that afternoon with much
ligher packs.
View up toward Columbia Point from high in the Spanish Creek drainage. I spied an interesting little couloir up there but I have no idea where it goes.
Plodding toward "Obstruction Peak". We climbed the snow and rock leading to the saddle on the right.
Dwight and the San Luis Valley in late afternoon.
View of Columbia Point as we climb toward "Obstruction Peak".
Dominic and Crestone Peak as we enter the fringe of the Bears Playground.
Crestone Needle (left) and Crestone Peak (right) as seen from the south slopes of "Obstruction Peak".
The flat area between "Obstruction Peak" and Crestone Peak is known the the Bears Playground. Humbolt Peak and Marble Mountain can be seen in the background.
View of the Adams group from the summit of "Obstruction Peak". Left to right, background to foreground: Mount Adams, UN 13,580 & 13,541. The Willow Creek drainage is on the left.
Dominic nearing the summit of "Obstruction Peak". I was surprised by the exposure on the north (left) side of the ridge here!
Dwight on the western subsummit of "Obstruction Peak" at sunset. Columbia Point and Kit Carson Mountain are on the right.
As we started up the south slopes of Kit Carson Sunday morning there was a stunning pink glow over the San Luis Valley to the west.
Alpenglow on the top of Kit Carson as Dominic and Dwight start up the south slopes.
The lower part of Kit Carson's south slopes is a mess of loose talus.
The south face of Kit Carson Mountain. The Prow is on the far left and the South Couloir is on the right. Our plan of attack is to evaluate conditions and either climb directly in the couloir itself or up rock just west (left) of it.
Grungy scrambling on Kit Carson's south slopes.
Eventually we're delighted to hit the famous Crestone conglomerate. Snow doesn't complicate the scrambling too much at the beginning.
Dominic scrambling up Kit Carson's steep south face.
Dwight continuing up the 3rd class face as the snow patches become more extensive.
Our route took us up the rock just west of the South Couloir. The couloir is on the bottom left.
Dominic and Kevin continue up as the face grows progressively snowier. Now we're traversing slightly west away from the couloir and its end at the Columbia Point - Kit Carson saddle.
Columbia Point as seen from Kit Carson's south face.
Dominic climbing a snowfield high on Kit Carson's south face.
Dominic gives Kevin a handline at a tricky step. Crestone Peak can be seen in the background.
Kevin and Dominic nearing the summit of Kit Carson.
Columbia Point form near the summit of Kit Carson. I like this picture because it shows the left branch of the Outward Bound Couloir. Notice the small fin near the center of the photo. The couloir is behind it and ends at the top of it.
Challenger Point as seen from Kit Carson. Despite a bluebird forecast there seems to be some weather moving in.
Dwight and Kevin beginning the descent from Kit Carson Mountain.
We're hoping to reach Kit Carson Avenue for a shot at Challenger Peak. We've heard horror stories but conditions seem especially good and we want to have a look.
Descending a shallow gully on Kit Carson's south face.
Dwight scoping out Kit Carson Avenue. This picture doesn't do it justice. The runout is extreme. The snow was OK by winter standards, but not good enough to trust our lives to. The traverse would have been safe with a few belayed pitches but after doing the math we knew we didn't have the time unless we were up for an epic descent. We weren't so we headed down. It began snowing shortly thereafter.
Kevin leading the descent from Kit Carson Avenue while Columbia Point looms above.
Kevin and Dwight in front of the sweeping south face of Kit Carson Mountain.
Back down to easy ground. All that remains is the crappy, loose descent of the south slopes and the tough backpack out.
Much time was spent balancing our way across old downed trees with heavy packs. More effort than your average backpack out.