Log In 
Photo

Kit Carson Peak

snow Outward Bound Couloir
Difficulty Class 3 
Snow Steepness: Steep 
Ski/Board: Advanced, D12 / R3 / IV  
Risk FactorsExposure: Considerable
Rockfall Potential: Moderate  
Route-Finding: Considerable  
Commitment: Considerable  
 
TrailheadWillow Creek
Start8,850 feet
Summit14,167 feet
Total Gain5,500 feet
RT Length13.75 miles
AuthorBillMiddlebrook
Last UpdatedOct 2022
DownloadsgpxGPX Track
Show More
Photo
?WARNING!
This route should only be climbed with consolidated, stable snow, usually in spring or early summer. In mid-winter, many snow routes have frequent risk of avalanche.

Trailhead

Take Colorado 17 to the town of Moffat. On the south side of town, look for the sign for Crestone and turn east on the "RD T" road. Drive approx. 11.5 miles to Crestone. Continue straight and turn left on Alder Street. Drive through town a bit and turn right onto Galena. Follow Galena out of town and it turns to dirt. Now on Forest Service road #949, it's approx. 2 miles to the trailhead.

Route

Once you are near the lake, follow the trail as it parallels the lake's north side. Leave the trees and continue through thick willows along the shore. Your next goal is to gain the cliffs/headwall on the east end of the lake. Before reaching the cliffs, turn left and climb north up the hillside on a rugged trail - 1. Climb 150', turn right and continue through bushes to reach the top of the cliffs, near 11,800', where you get a view of Kit Carson and the approach to the Outward Bound (O.B.) couloir - 2.

Cross the stream and follow small cairns and trail segments across the remainder of this flat area. Above 11,800', angle left through willows and bushes to reach the base of Challenger's standard, north slope route, near 11,900' - 3. Now above the creek, continue southeast toward the base of the cliffs below Kit Carson's north ridge ( 4) and continue traversing southeast as 13er Columbia Point comes back into view near 12,600' - 5. Pass under the remaining rocks/cliffs at the base of the north ridge and the terrain opens up as you enter the apron below the O.B. couloir - 6 and 7. The O.B. climbs southwest to reach a tiny saddle between 13er Columbia Point and Kit Carson Peak.

Turn right and begin climbing southwest toward the base of the couloir - 8. Finally, you'll enter the confines of the couloir at 13,000' as the slope angle increases to 40 degrees - 9. From the entrance, climb 700' of elevation to reach the top - 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The slope angle probably averages around 43 degrees and may exceed 50 degrees at the top, where you might also find a cornice.

From the 13,700-foot saddle at the top of the couloir, drop a few feet off the south side ( 16) and traverse right (west) onto a small rib which blocks your view of Kit Carson's southeast face - 17. Climb over the rib ( 18 and 19) and continue west onto the face ( 20) to join the general area of the standard, summer route - 21. Taken near 14,000', 22 looks back on the traverse from O.B. couloir. Gain the summit ridge and continue to the top - 23, 24 and 25.

Skiing?

Skiing the upper, southeast face: 26, 27, 28
Skiing the O.B. Couloir: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
On the apron: 35
Heading back to Willow Lake: 36

Notes

IMPORTANT: This route enters the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness area. Wilderness areas have special regulations and restrictions for party size, dispersed camping, campfires, etc. Also, dog owners should read the wilderness information carefully because some wilderness areas prohibit dogs to be off-leash and/or limit how close dogs can be to lakes and streams. If you have questions about the wilderness area, please contact a U.S. Forest Service office for the National Forest(s) listed above.
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19 #20 #21 #22 #23 #24 #25 #26 #27 #28 #29 #30 #31 #32 #33 #34 #35 #36

This page can only be accessed by registered 14ers.com users. If you don't have an account, you can register in the forum.

Log In_

This page can only be accessed by registered 14ers.com users. If you don't have an account, you can register in the forum.

Log In_

This page can only be accessed by registered 14ers.com users. If you don't have an account, you can register in the forum.

Log In_

Caution: The information contained in this route description 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 route description 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 route description 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.
Heading to a 14er soon? Don't forget the 14ers.com mobile app.
Google Play     Apple App Store