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Castle and Conundrum are the easiest Elks, and I paradoxically climbed them as my second to last (snowmass remaining).
Luckily, we got off route, and it turned into a standard elk climb with tough climbing over loose rocks - which was actually a really fun detour from the standard trail.
What "route"?
From the very top of the road, there will be a ridge to your left, take that. Make a point to stay on the ridge and you'll see what I mean about this being a real elk indeed.
Doing this will be very reminiscent of capitol or pyramid, and has some cool rock formations that you can climb.
One group member, Nick, had only climbed a handful of 14ers (easy ones) so we considered seeking a less difficult route, but he was cool with the climbing and got a good taste of what an elk 14er is all about.
The entire time the cirque was echoing the sounds of massive rockfalls. Thanks to the zero snow, the descent from the saddle was a loose dirt / scree / accident-waiting-to-happen slope ski/tumble. Not as bad as the one on Pyramid above the amphitheater, but not a place I want to really camp out and have a conversation at.
We weren't too worried about ourselves slipping and sliding down the nasty slope as much as a fatal dosage of heavy rocks landing on our non-helmeted heads.
Some folks went back up Castle to descend, which would have been less miserable would require another push up to 14,265'.
Castle had great views - some of the best in the range.
THank
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
on the forum about downclimbing that saddle, and most seem to agree it's not worth it. We descended by going back over Castle, while another party went down the saddle. We ended up getting down about the same time, with what seemed less effort.
By the way, we also ascended that same ridge by getting off route. Very sporting, indeed!
I have to agree with those say descending from the saddle is well worth it.
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