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Peak(s):  Wilson Peak  -  14,021 feet
Date Posted:  06/18/2008
Date Climbed:   06/14/2008
Author:  areedhay
 Wilson: NW Face   

We headed down to Wilson in hopes that the snow would still be good enough to climb the Northwest face. There was plenty of snow as we trudged into the Silver Pick Basin. It did not look like mid-June. The snow, as we ascended, did not look like the best conditions. If you're looking for a ski descent, I might choose another face. The snow was really crusty, super hard, and "pot-holed" the whole way down. I would imagine that skiing this snow would make for some interesting turns. I will admit, glissading seriously hurt the nether regions!
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At any rate, we climbed the basin:
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We snaked our way into the lower bowl of Wilson, taking in all the snow and amazing views:
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Once on the lower flanks of the face, we could clearly make out the coulior that we were supposed to use to gain the ridge:
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We made our way up the last, steep face to the exit coulior, and climbed the short ridge to the top:
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It was quite solemn to see the wreckage from the plane on top; it actually was a bit eerie.
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All in all, having climbed Wilson from the Navaho side, I felt that this route was above and beyond the better of the two. Highly recommended!
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Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
lordhelmut
User
enough
6/18/2008 4:42pm
can‘t be said for a view with a lush green valley with snow capped peaks, you capture this well from the summit looking northeast towards Sneffels. Telluride is a sweet area, will be there in 15 days, thanks for the tease of anticipation.



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