Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
| Kelso Ridge |
Torreys & Grays RT via Kelso ridge
Just got back from doing the loop. I camped in my blazer last night, and set off at 5AM. Hiked by headlamp the first 2 or so miles to the kelso/Torreys saddle. Got to see the sunhit on the peaks about 1/4 way up Kelso. Beautiful sunrise this morning, clear, crisp. Totally awesome. this is the way I like to climb14ers...early and in solitude. Kelso was a blast. Only 2 other people were on it with me. I found the class 3/4 scrambles very fun, especially the butress and knife-edge atop Dead Dog Couloir. My heart was definitely pumping hard. At one point (despite the advice of many) I strayed to the south side, and ended up at the bottom of a very daunting looking technical climb. Without a partner, rope or helmet, I decided to backtrack and regain the ridge on the north side. On the top, it was just myself and 2 others, and we had the whole summit to ourselves for a good 30 minutes. We sat and chatted and watched the crowd grow on Grays trail. I decided to make for Grays summit sooner than later and avoid the rush. Made it there in about 30 minutes, and then started down as the crowd kept growing. On the way down I must have counted over 200 people on their way up. I actually lost count, and gave up, fielding the standard comments/questions..."boy you must have left early..." or "how much further...?". I was also amused by the ammount of people hiking in jeans and cotton garb, carrying maybe 1 water bottle and no food. Makes me cringe. Made it back to the traihead around 9:30, so in total a 4 1/2 hour RT. It felt good. Doing these 2 14ers certainly requires a very early start, especially over the weekend. Im glad I got them done. All in all a fun circuit. Maybe a winter climb will be next if I ever decide to do them again. Less crowds that way 
|
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
