Crestone Peak Trip Report 09/10/2012

Peak(s):	Crestone Peak - 14,299 feet Crestone Needle - 14,196 feet "Northeast Crestone" - 14,251 feet "East Crestone" - 14,298 feet
Date Posted:	09/10/2012
Modified:	09/11/2012
Date Climbed:	08/31/2012
Author:	geojed

The Mighty Mighty Crestones: NW Couloir and Peak - Needle Traverse
Peak: Crestone Peak - 14,294', Crestone Needle - 14,197', East Crestone - 14,290'?, Northeast Crestone - 14,260' TH/Route: S. Colony Lakes TH - Via NW Couloir and Peak-Needle Traverse Distance: ~12mi Elev Gain: 5600' Time: 10:45 (5:15am - 4:00pm) Technical Gear: Brain Travelers: Me, Myself, and I Special Thanks:Zambo and his fantastic TR on the Peak-Needle Traverse On my last 9/80 Friday off for the year I was able to get away for the day and climb some of the most amazing peaks in Colorado. To top it off, and much to my wife's delight, I was even able to get back home in time to tuck my 2 boys in for bed! The alarm rang at 1:20AM and I was on my way by 1:45AM. Made it to the TH around 5AM, had a quick breakfast of Chocolate Graham Crackers and Milk (YUM!) and headed up the trail under a full moon by 5:15AM. With the moonlight I didn't even need to use my head lamp. I passed, and unintentionally freaked out, one person right after the TH. (Amazingly, this was the only person I would come near the whole day until I got back down to South Colony Lake on my descent.) I cruised up the road and trail to the lower lake arriving @ 6:30AM, just in time for the classic sunrise on the Needle that never seems to get old no matter how many times you see it. Classic Crestone Needle sunrise Sunlit clouds above Marble Mountain I continued up to the Upper Lake whereupon I thrashed through the willows to get around the right side of the lake and onto the grassy ramp that headed up towards the head of the basin. Clouds on the horizon cast shadows on the Needle, adding to the incredible drama of its East Face. After I crested the ramp, I had to lift my jaw off the ground as I gazed upon the astonishingly beautiful view before me. What came to mind was that this is Colorado's version of the "Trango Towers" of Pakistan. CO's Trango Towers?: Dramatic East Face of Needle - E & NE Crestone Amazing! I kept taking pictures as I traversed loose talus on my up to the head of the basin. "Enter Superlative Here" I crested the ridge on the west side of the Bears Playground and got my first view of "The Peak". I followed a use trail and cairns up the ridge to an area of really loose talus/gravel. Here I spotted cairns that went to the right/West leading to a convenient ledge that took me across to the NW Couloir. Morning on Crestone Peak This was my first view of the NW couloir. First look at NW Couloir I ascended the center of the couloir until a headwall forced me to the right side of the couloir. I then stayed on the right side of the couloir the rest of the way, easily finding mostly Class 3 ledges to climb and some short Class 4 sections. The center of the couloir had a little bit of water running down it and lots of loose gravel/cobbles. The ledges/cracks I climbed were for the most part really solid. Good handholds and footholds were easy to find. I loosed 2 or 3 rocks during my ascent but fortunately none of them travelled far and no one else was in the couloir either. Looking up the NW Couloir From high up in the couloir I had seriously sweet views of nearby Kit Carson and Mt Adams. Kit Carson Peak, Columbia and Mt Adams It took about 30mins to climb the NW couloir and I set my eyes on my first objective - NE Crestone. It looked steep but really fun. Solid Crestone Conglomerate made it a quick and easy Class 4/5 climb to its airy perch and a unique view of East Crestone and Crestone Peak, my next objectives. Crestone Needle and East Crestone from NE Crestone Crestone Peak from NE Crestone I descended NE Crestone back to the top of NW Couloir and climbed the last 20' to the saddle between East Crestone and Crestone Peak. East Crestone was an easy Class 2/3 scramble that gave me great views of Upper South Colony Lake's emerald waters shimmering below Humboldt Peak. Upper South Colony Lake and Humboldt Peak After enjoying the views for 10min or so, and questioning whether East Crestone had the same elevation as Crestone Peak. I headed over to Crestone Peak's true summit. When I looked back at East Crestone and NE Crestone it looked like East Crestone was as high as the true summit of Crestone Peak. My guess is that it's probably a couple feet shorter, definitely not 34' as the topo map suggests. I had the summit all to myself the whole hour I was up there. It was very peaceful under clear skies and light winds. Here, I was able to ponder and reflect on Chris' recent death on the North Buttress Route on Crestone Peak. For some reason, I halfway expected to see his name in the summit register. When I didn't see it the reality of his death hit me. RIP Chris and Rob. NE Crestone and East Crestone from Crestone Peak's summit After calling my wife and letting her know I made it to Crestone Peak's summit and that I was beginning the traverse to the Needle I headed down the VERY loose upper reaches of the Red Gully. I got to the turn-off for the traverse and began following the nice cairns towards the Black Gendarme. The Traverse! Picturesque Cottonwood Basin The Class 5.2 section at the base of the gully by the Black Gendarme was only 10ft or so long. I tested the cord that someone had left there just in case I needed it but I never actually used it. The moves were easy and quick. The Z ledges and gullies to Crestone Needle above the Black Gendarme I climbed the rest of the way up the gully and made the 180deg switchback onto the short but easy knife edge section. This led to the rib that led to the "Z" ledges and gullies leading to the final "crux" climb to the summit. Route finding was pretty easy and logical once onto the ledges. Looking down from the beginning of the "Z" ledges When I arrived at the base of the "crux" section I looked up the face to scout out a route. Unfortunately, the sun couldn't have been in a WORSE place for me. It was directly in my eyes and made it hard to scout out the route and handholds I would take up the face. Then, not more than thirty seconds after I cursed the sun for being in that horrible position, a nice little cloud formed over Crestone Needle's summit and blocked out the sun. Hallelujah! With the crux face now visible I began to climb the crux. I climbed directly up the face. From other TR's I had read they went to the climber's left and ascended. The direct ascent was steep and almost vertical, but the handholds and footholds were so big, solid, and numerous that I didn't mind the steepness. Furthermore, I was so concentrated on the face in front of me I didn't even notice the exposure. It went by really fast (~1-2mins) and only felt like it was ~30' of real climbing before I got to a nice ledge. From there it was 40' of easy Class 3 to the summit, which I reached 1:30 from Crestone Peak. The views back across to "The Peak" were pretty cool. Here again I had the summit all to myself for the ~1hr I was up there. It was pretty special. While I was on the summit I heard some voices drifting over the wind. I kept looking around for the people it was coming from and I finally spotted them. They were a couple climbers who had just reached the top of the wrong "Red Gully." They were in the East Red Gully on Crestone Peak. I yelled over to them and our conversation went something like this: Me: What peak are you climbing? Them: Crestone Peak. Me: What route are you taking? Them: Standard. Me: You're in the WRONG Red Gully! I told them to descend 300' or so and then traverse the grassy ledges to the correct Red Gully. Hopefully they made it. I tried to see Crestone Peak's summit from BHP and I sorta thought I could see someone on the summit so maybe they did make it. Crestone Peak and Kit Carson from Crestone Needle. Wrong Red Gully is Center Left I did it! Looking south from Crestone Needle I began to descend the couloir below the "Technical Only" sign and made it about 200' down before I began to think this was the wrong couloir as it was too much on the West Face. So I climbed back up to the summit ridge and descended the gully on the South Face. I picked my way down the surprisingly steep West/East gullies and made it to Broken Hand Pass in about an hour from the Needle's summit. Pico Asilado on descent from Needle Now began the most dangerous/treacherous part of the day: the descent off BHP. I slipped on the hard-packed dirt/gravel/scree no less than 3 times! I am soooooooooo glad I didn't climb up this way. That would've sucked! The NW Couloir route was much, much better. Anyways, I made it down to S. Colony Lake by 3PM, where I saw the first people since the TH, and sped back to the TH by 4PM. Farewell Crestone Needle. RIP Chris and Rob. Stopped by Subway and scarfed down a Meatball Marinara Sub w/ extra sauce and made it back home just as my wife was getting our boys ready for bed. What an awesome day of solo solitude, on some AMAZING peaks. Probably my favorite 14ers so far. I dedicate this climb and summits to Chris and Rob. They were on my mind the whole day. RIP brothers. Cheers, Jed P.S: If you've read this far I'll give you a "pre-route" beta/secret. If you find yourself driving towards Westcliffe at a very early hour while all restrooms are closed to you and Nature isn't just "calling" you but is BANGING on the door , there is a nice bathroom that is open 24/7 (not sure about winter though). After you turn right on 69 and are heading south, you'll want to turn right on Hermit Rd. There is a brown (double entendr�? ) N.F. sign for Hermit Rd and Hermit Lake access at the intersection. Go down the hill about 1000' or so and there will be a playground on your right. There is a nice bathroom right by the parking area for the playground. An added plus is that there is a nice street lamp optimally placed to shine through the skylights in the bathrooms. Luxury I tell you. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

The Mighty Mighty Crestones: NW Couloir and Peak - Needle Traverse

Peak: Crestone Peak - 14,294', Crestone Needle - 14,197', East Crestone - 14,290'?, Northeast Crestone - 14,260'
TH/Route: S. Colony Lakes TH - Via NW Couloir and Peak-Needle Traverse
Distance: ~12mi
Elev Gain: 5600'
Time: 10:45 (5:15am - 4:00pm)
Technical Gear: Brain
Travelers: Me, Myself, and I
Special Thanks:Zambo and his fantastic TR on the Peak-Needle Traverse

On my last 9/80 Friday off for the year I was able to get away for the day and climb some of the most amazing peaks in Colorado. To top it off, and much to my wife's delight, I was even able to get back home in time to tuck my 2 boys in for bed!

The alarm rang at 1:20AM and I was on my way by 1:45AM. Made it to the TH around 5AM, had a quick breakfast of Chocolate Graham Crackers and Milk (YUM!) and headed up the trail under a full moon by 5:15AM. With the moonlight I didn't even need to use my head lamp. I passed, and unintentionally freaked out, one person right after the TH. (Amazingly, this was the only person I would come near the whole day until I got back down to South Colony Lake on my descent.) I cruised up the road and trail to the lower lake arriving @ 6:30AM, just in time for the classic sunrise on the Needle that never seems to get old no matter how many times you see it.

I continued up to the Upper Lake whereupon I thrashed through the willows to get around the right side of the lake and onto the grassy ramp that headed up towards the head of the basin. Clouds on the horizon cast shadows on the Needle, adding to the incredible drama of its East Face.

After I crested the ramp, I had to lift my jaw off the ground as I gazed upon the astonishingly beautiful view before me. What came to mind was that this is Colorado's version of the "Trango Towers" of Pakistan.

CO's Trango Towers?: Dramatic East Face of Needle - E & NE Crestone

I kept taking pictures as I traversed loose talus on my up to the head of the basin.

I crested the ridge on the west side of the Bears Playground and got my first view of "The Peak". I followed a use trail and cairns up the ridge to an area of really loose talus/gravel. Here I spotted cairns that went to the right/West leading to a convenient ledge that took me across to the NW Couloir.

This was my first view of the NW couloir.

I ascended the center of the couloir until a headwall forced me to the right side of the couloir. I then stayed on the right side of the couloir the rest of the way, easily finding mostly Class 3 ledges to climb and some short Class 4 sections. The center of the couloir had a little bit of water running down it and lots of loose gravel/cobbles. The ledges/cracks I climbed were for the most part really solid. Good handholds and footholds were easy to find. I loosed 2 or 3 rocks during my ascent but fortunately none of them travelled far and no one else was in the couloir either.

From high up in the couloir I had seriously sweet views of nearby Kit Carson and Mt Adams.

It took about 30mins to climb the NW couloir and I set my eyes on my first objective - NE Crestone. It looked steep but really fun. Solid Crestone Conglomerate made it a quick and easy Class 4/5 climb to its airy perch and a unique view of East Crestone and Crestone Peak, my next objectives.

Crestone Needle and East Crestone from NE Crestone

I descended NE Crestone back to the top of NW Couloir and climbed the last 20' to the saddle between East Crestone and Crestone Peak. East Crestone was an easy Class 2/3 scramble that gave me great views of Upper South Colony Lake's emerald waters shimmering below Humboldt Peak.

Upper South Colony Lake and Humboldt Peak

After enjoying the views for 10min or so, and questioning whether East Crestone had the same elevation as Crestone Peak. I headed over to Crestone Peak's true summit. When I looked back at East Crestone and NE Crestone it looked like East Crestone was as high as the true summit of Crestone Peak. My guess is that it's probably a couple feet shorter, definitely not 34' as the topo map suggests.

I had the summit all to myself the whole hour I was up there. It was very peaceful under clear skies and light winds. Here, I was able to ponder and reflect on Chris' recent death on the North Buttress Route on Crestone Peak. For some reason, I halfway expected to see his name in the summit register. When I didn't see it the reality of his death hit me. RIP Chris and Rob.

NE Crestone and East Crestone from Crestone Peak's summit

After calling my wife and letting her know I made it to Crestone Peak's summit and that I was beginning the traverse to the Needle I headed down the VERY loose upper reaches of the Red Gully. I got to the turn-off for the traverse and began following the nice cairns towards the Black Gendarme.

The Class 5.2 section at the base of the gully by the Black Gendarme was only 10ft or so long. I tested the cord that someone had left there just in case I needed it but I never actually used it. The moves were easy and quick.

The Z ledges and gullies to Crestone Needle above the Black Gendarme

I climbed the rest of the way up the gully and made the 180deg switchback onto the short but easy knife edge section. This led to the rib that led to the "Z" ledges and gullies leading to the final "crux" climb to the summit. Route finding was pretty easy and logical once onto the ledges.

Looking down from the beginning of the "Z" ledges

When I arrived at the base of the "crux" section I looked up the face to scout out a route. Unfortunately, the sun couldn't have been in a WORSE place for me. It was directly in my eyes and made it hard to scout out the route and handholds I would take up the face. Then, not more than thirty seconds after I cursed the sun for being in that horrible position, a nice little cloud formed over Crestone Needle's summit and blocked out the sun. Hallelujah! With the crux face now visible I began to climb the crux. I climbed directly up the face. From other TR's I had read they went to the climber's left and ascended. The direct ascent was steep and almost vertical, but the handholds and footholds were so big, solid, and numerous that I didn't mind the steepness. Furthermore, I was so concentrated on the face in front of me I didn't even notice the exposure. It went by really fast (~1-2mins) and only felt like it was ~30' of real climbing before I got to a nice ledge. From there it was 40' of easy Class 3 to the summit, which I reached 1:30 from Crestone Peak.

The views back across to "The Peak" were pretty cool. Here again I had the summit all to myself for the ~1hr I was up there. It was pretty special.

While I was on the summit I heard some voices drifting over the wind. I kept looking around for the people it was coming from and I finally spotted them. They were a couple climbers who had just reached the top of the wrong "Red Gully." They were in the East Red Gully on Crestone Peak. I yelled over to them and our conversation went something like this:

Me: What peak are you climbing?
Them: Crestone Peak.
Me: What route are you taking?
Them: Standard.
Me: You're in the WRONG Red Gully!

I told them to descend 300' or so and then traverse the grassy ledges to the correct Red Gully. Hopefully they made it. I tried to see Crestone Peak's summit from BHP and I sorta thought I could see someone on the summit so maybe they did make it.

Crestone Peak and Kit Carson from Crestone Needle. Wrong Red Gully is Center Left

I began to descend the couloir below the "Technical Only" sign and made it about 200' down before I began to think this was the wrong couloir as it was too much on the West Face. So I climbed back up to the summit ridge and descended the gully on the South Face. I picked my way down the surprisingly steep West/East gullies and made it to Broken Hand Pass in about an hour from the Needle's summit.

Now began the most dangerous/treacherous part of the day: the descent off BHP. I slipped on the hard-packed dirt/gravel/scree no less than 3 times! I am soooooooooo glad I didn't climb up this way. That would've sucked! The NW Couloir route was much, much better.

Anyways, I made it down to S. Colony Lake by 3PM, where I saw the first people since the TH, and sped back to the TH by 4PM.

Farewell Crestone Needle. RIP Chris and Rob.

Stopped by Subway and scarfed down a Meatball Marinara Sub w/ extra sauce and made it back home just as my wife was getting our boys ready for bed.

What an awesome day of solo solitude, on some AMAZING peaks. Probably my favorite 14ers so far.

I dedicate this climb and summits to Chris and Rob. They were on my mind the whole day. RIP brothers.

Cheers,

Jed

P.S: If you've read this far I'll give you a "pre-route" beta/secret. If you find yourself driving towards Westcliffe at a very early hour while all restrooms are closed to you and Nature isn't just "calling" you but is BANGING on the door , there is a nice bathroom that is open 24/7 (not sure about winter though). After you turn right on 69 and are heading south, you'll want to turn right on Hermit Rd. There is a brown (double entendr�? ) N.F. sign for Hermit Rd and Hermit Lake access at the intersection. Go down the hill about 1000' or so and there will be a playground on your right. There is a nice bathroom right by the parking area for the playground. An added plus is that there is a nice street lamp optimally placed to shine through the skylights in the bathrooms. Luxury I tell you.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

gonzalj	Very Impressive 9/10/2012 9:04pm I love the beta on the route and the heads up on the NW couloir. Way to go on these impressive peaks and the tribute to Rob & Chris.
EatinHardtack	Nice trip report 9/10/2012 10:42pm Very cool, congrats on a great accomplishment. I took the same sunrise pic of the Needle just on Sunday, damn near identical to mine.
zdero1	Let's face it... 9/11/2012 3:52am This TR is awesome! Congrats on your summits and thanks for the beta. If the weather holds I may be doing these this weekend. Hopefully I go up the right Red Gully
Presto	Beautiful colors this time of year ... 9/11/2012 10:21pm Your ”conversation” with the fellow climbers reminds me of when we did the traverse Needle to Peak totally in the fog. We were on East Crestone Peak and realized it was the wrong summit. Unable to see anything, one of our group let out an expletive and exclaimed ”this is not it!”. From out of the fog came a voice asking, ”are you looking for the summit of Crestone Peak?”. We said yes, and he replied, ”well, I'm on it, but I can't see you so I can't tell you how to get here”. We eventually made it there and had quite a laugh about it all, and then descended the NW couloir. Thanks for posting. Nice report. Happy trails!
pctjeff23	photos 8/28/2013 7:55pm That first shot is absolutely amazing. Looks like a work of art with the color disparity.

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