9/18/2011 Route: From Challenger Point Posted On: 9/19/2011, By: ChrisinAZ Info: Route was clear up to about 13000‘, merely muddy on the descent to Willow Lake. Above 13K, there was about 4-6" of snow on the ground all the way to the summit of KC. There were a few tricky spots getting up to the notch on Challenger, but once up on the ridge crest the going was easy. The KC/Challenger saddle was manageable. The Avenue is getting covered in slanting snow, especially with all the snow sloughing off from higher on the mountain and collecting there. The gully beyond is steep, but manageable with care, and it gets a bit easier higher up. Verglas was present early in the morning, but melted off somewhat later on. The snow is melting rapidly, but there‘s a lot of it...not sure if enough will melt off for this one to be "easy" again before winter. Highly, highly recommend an ice axe. Crampons are unnecessary, but microspikes or yaktrax wouldn‘t hurt. Don‘t recommend this one for a first-time snow climb! |
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7/23/2011 Route: North Ridge Posted On: 7/23/2011, By: tmathews Info: Stream crossings on the approach are of no concern. Take the standard route up Challenger just past a section of willows after you cross Willow Creek above the falls, then hang a left and you can avoid bushwhacking through willows to the base of Outward Bound Couloir and not have to deal with any major stream crossings. There is a little section of snow at the base of OB Couloir to gain access to the North Ridge, but it is easily avoidable. Great climb. |
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7/4/2011 Route: Via Challenger Point Posted On: 7/5/2011, By: BobbyFinn Info: The Avenue is pretty much clear of snow. You do have to cross one small (like 5 steps) snowfield; the other snow is avoidable. There are bootprints in the snow that you can step in. However, a slip here would be bad and you would not be stupid to bring ice axe and/or micro spikes to cross this. That said, we and several other parties just walked in the existing bootprints with no traction aids and made it across safely. There is no snow of consequence in the gully leading to the summit. The picture was taken from Crestone Needle on 7/2 and we hiked KC on 7/4. |
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7/1/2011 Route: Via Challenger Point Posted On: 7/3/2011, By: spong0949 Info: As of Friday the snow is avoidable on the standard route up KC/KC Avenue. Had to cross one minor snow field going up Challenger standard route. An axe would be recommended as the snow is fairly steep. |
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6/25/2011 Route: Via Challenger Point Posted On: 6/25/2011, By: Nelson Info: I climbed Kit Carson and Challenger today. There are some things you should Know: 1) There was a good freeze last night. There is a lot of snow On Challenger North face. People without crampons were struggling and turning around. 2) Kit Carson Avenue going up to the Prow has some snow on it but you don't have to step on it. I did not put crampons on here. 3) The avenue going from the Prow east has snow but there are only two spots where you might need crampons briefly. I put them on going but when I returned things were softening up and I did not. 4) As you ascend Kit Carson east face there is a substantial strip of snow at 13,900. You can deal with it but it is a pain. 5) The Kirk Couloir was hard snow and slick on the descent. I front pointed most of the way. It did corn up as the day warmed. |
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6/22/2011 Route: The Prow Posted On: 6/23/2011, By: RobF-CO Info: overnight temps at around 11800ft got down to around 30 degrees, no snow or ice on the ascent. we descended down the couloir between KC and Columbia. We were able to skirt the couloir which was full of snow and we were without axes. While on the route up I saw a large group summit KC from the north and traverse over to Columbia with no technical gear so I assume the route was generally free of snow/Ice. Most of the KC Ave. was still loaded with snow. |
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6/10/2011 Route: Via Challenger Point Posted On: 6/11/2011, By: Exiled Michigander Info: Kit Carson via Outward Bound Couloir or Challenger Point is still not a safe option due to heavy snow on Kit Carson Avenue. Image 1 shows Outward Bound couloir--still a lot of snow, but the snow conditions deteriorate VERY quickly once the sun starts shining. Images 2 through 4 show the snow on Kit Carson Avenue. These were taken both from the summit of Challenger and the Challenger-Carson saddle. Might be another couple of weeks before Kit Carson Avenue is safely passable. |
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5/15/2011 Route: Posted On: 5/16/2011, By: sdkeil Info: Attempted OB on 5/15/2011. There is no snow on the willow lake approach up until the headwall. From the top of the headwall the trail into willow lake is about 1/3 melted out. The snow around the lake held weight fairly well and we did not use snowshoes. There was no snow on the trail getting around the lake and above the lake snow was not a problem. Dug a pit at the base of the OB and found a very stable base layer, but on top of that there was 3 inches of powder, followed by 1-2 inch melt/freeze layer, with an additional 1-2 inches of powder on top. We made it about 1/3 up the OB before deciding the conditions were not quite ready for climbing. |
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4/1/2011 Route: Via Challenger Point Posted On: 4/5/2011, By: Nelson Info: These are pictures of the North face of Challenger/Kit Carson from 4/1/11. |
