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. |