The second successful 14er climb of a three day trip
Uncompahgre Peak and its south ridge at dawn. The pointy bump on the far right is UN 13,158. We broke trail to the top of the pass southeast of Matterhorn Peak the day before so we could cruise it in the dark this morning. As planned, we reached the end of the broken track at first light.
Wetterhorn Peak (left) and Matterhorn Peak (right) as seen from the east just before sunrise. Below them is the pass used to access Uncompahgre Peak from the Matterhorn drainage.
Dominic heading for Uncompahgre early in the morning. We climbed to the notch on the right side of the photo to gain the south ridge and standard route to the summit.
Dominic hiking toward the uninviting scree slopes below the notch in Uncompahgre's south ridge. The shallow snow patches provided some relief on the otherwise loose ascent.
Deep, boulder-filled snowfields slowed progress a bit.
Hiking along the trail on Uncompahgre's southweast face toward the massive summit plateau.
Dominic high on Uncompahgre's south ridge.
Following the trail onto Uncompahgre's west face.
The crux of Uncompahgre's standard route is 150 feet of loose, steep rock. The bottom portion was covered with firm snow.
Dominic hikes up the loose rock steps on the easy crux.
View toward Wetterhorn Peak from high on Uncompahgre Peak.
Nearing the huge summit plateau.
Wetterhorn Peak and Matterhorn Peak as seen from Uncompahgre Peak.
Dominic on the summitof Uncompahgre.
Heading down Uncompahgre's south ridge.
Descending scree and talus slopes below the notch.
View of Uncompahgre Peak as we hike back to camp along Matterhorn Creek.
Camp at 11,150 feet along the Matterhorn Creek Trail. Wetterhorn Peak is in the background. Note Dominic's t-shirt. It was HOT!