Kit Carson Peak

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 9/21/2014, By: mlayman09
Info: Perfect, dry conditions on Challenger and Kit Carson via Willow Creek. Fall color is near it's peak in this area! 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 9/19/2014, By: Bob Kocher
Info: As of 9/14, there are no condition changes from capetrekker's report on 9/11. Just confirming excellent conditions on the North Ridge, the Avenue and the descent down Challenger Point. Very fun route to the summit! Not so much descending Challenger's north slope--we carried poles and were glad we had them coming down. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 9/12/2014, By: capetrekker
Info: Excellent conditions on the North Ridge, the Avenue, and the descent down Challenger Point. Climb this sublime ridge while the opportunity remains! 

Route: Willow Creek Approach
Posted On: 9/8/2014, By: 4 LO
Info: Still summer conditions. I've read on here that side skirting Challenger on the way back from Kit Carson can be a pain, but it really was not that bad. Just try to stay on the stable rocks (there are plenty) and you'll be fine. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 9/3/2014, By: bdloftin77
Info: Summer conditions 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/27/2014, By: Keelintime
Info: The flying insects are still there but manageable with insect repellent. The route from above the lake to the saddle below (before) Challenger Point is loose dirt and loose small rocks. I agree with the previous condition report, that this made the route treacherous. Many found going off trail into the surrounding larger and more interlocked rocks safer but much more time consuming. There is snow on the mountain but none was encountered on the entire route to Challenger Point or up to Kit Carson Peak. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/14/2014, By: addrock528
Info: Still lots of mosquitoes about... Esp. at TH and just before the lake. No camping spot is safe!
The "Avenue" has two little patches of snow that are completely manageable. The way back down via Challenger standard route was treacherous; wet and loose. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/4/2014, By: marcstrawser
Info: Great conditions on the peaks, mosquitoes were awful by the lake and trailhead. Avenue still has some snow on the south side but only a very short section, no snow gear needed. 

Route: (any)
Posted On: 5/22/2014, By: jdorje
Info: 6/19 UPDATE: MOSQUITO ALERT. Bring protection or suffer.



5/22 : There has been an insane amount of snow over the last month; however, the ongoing daily dust storms certainly make it crappy in places, and probably particularly on west-facing slopes.

5/26 : Much new snow over the weekend, on top of the red-looking dust layer.

5/29 : Despite the dumping of the last weekend, 3 straight 80-degree days have resulted in the melting of almost all snow below 13k feet. Gibson and 12740, both of which had nearly full snow cover even before the weekend storm, are now nearly devoid of it. Many west-facing slopes still have good snow cover above ~13k feet, and north-facing slopes and gullies probably have good snow well below that.

6/5 : Heavy melting. Much snow still remains on the Avenue. See picture.

6/14 : Despite a couple minor snowfalls there has been extreme melting. Most peaks are snow-free to the summit, with snow in just a few gullies and the occasional small snowfield above 13k. However, the avenue still has significant visible snow and I would guess is 1-4 weeks from being "in".



Also, be sure to check out the other conditions reports on the peak that have more precise information on specific routes: http://14ers.com/php14ers/peakstatus_peak.php?peakparm=23 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 6/18/2014, By: LivingOnTheEdge
Info: Attempted KC from Challenger. Route was clear and mostly snow free to The Avenue. We were able to make it past the snow on the avenue to about halfway. At that point the rock becomes covered in this ice. I chopped a step in it, but slipping at that point was certain death. Since we didn't bring anything to protect the move, we turned back here. The area is probably passable on the snow higher up with crampons and an axe, we just didn't want to risk it. The rest of the avenue looked dry enough to be passable. Did not get a look at the other side but I heard word it was clear. The ice should become passable in 1-2 weeks without snow equipment. Not sure why the last photos aren't the right way up but you get the idea. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 6/17/2014, By: Eagle Eye
Info: Longtime Lurker...here are the conditions and photos of the Kit Carson Avenue on Sunday 6/15;The initial (ledge) ramp sloping upward from the Challenger Point/Kit Carson saddle to the Kit Carson/Prow saddle is almost melted out along its entire edge. One section remains troublesome that is about 10 feet long with thick ice on it.
On the continuing KC Avenue sloping downward & east there is still a lot of ice & snow. It is very deep in the areas sh
own in Photo #8 and #9 of the Route Description. 

Route: Outward Bound Couloir
Posted On: 6/14/2014, By: DynamicPursuits
Info: Negligible snow until I reached the base of the couloir. The snow was mostly hard-pack on the way up with occasional soft areas. The upper portion of the couloir that remains in the shade was very hard-packed. The scramble from the top of the couloir to the summit was mostly dry with some rotten patches of snow but not too troubling. Left the summit at 8:30. The upper couloir was still hard. The snow became progressively soft after reaching the sunny areas. Upon reaching the bottom portions it was mostly thigh deep post holes. 

Route: Willow Creek Approach
Posted On: 3/31/2014, By: George James
Info: Hike-able without floatation to the top of the headwall. OB and Kirk both in good condition. South face holding decent snow.  

Route: (any)
Posted On: 9/4/2013, By: jdorje
Info: 10/10 : All non-gully snow had melted. However there was a ton today. Snow line down to 8000'.

9/22-9/23 : Much snow

9/19 : Snow last night (not much, melted off fast).

9/17 : No more snow, conditions look good.

9/15 : Some snow today. I only saw Challenger west face but it looked like a dusting. Peaks have only been visible briefly each day so it's hard to be certain but there was nothing (except the hail, still visible) on the 14th.

9/2 : There was an absolute ton of hail on Challenger and Kit Carson on the 2nd or 3rd. This stuff doesn't appear to have melted yet. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 9/22/2013, By: --bb--
Info: Small patch of snow on Avenue between Challenger-Kit Carson saddle and Prow (see photo).