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I have planned to climb Challenger and Kit Carson for more than a year, and the time seemed right, so I went for it. It was a 2 hour and 50 minute drive to the trailhead from my home in Taos, and in hindsight, I probably should have left earlier, or headed to Crestone the day before. I snagged one of the last two spots in the parking lot just before 07:00, and hit the trail at 07:03. The first four miles feature the "endless" switchbacks so often mentioned, but they were not bad at all. They appear to have been created to accommodate people with heavy packs, loaded with camping gear.
Between sets of switchbacks.
I wound through the campsites and reached Willow Lake around 08:51, then started up the slope to Challenger.
Caption Here
I made it to the ridge at 10:17, and it felt good to be on more horizontal footing for a change.
The top of the ridge.Kit Carson and Challenger.
I reached the top of Challenger at 10:30, ate a few bites to stave off bonk, and kept going. Kit Carson Avenue was clear, and relatively easy. I ended up taking the steeper, rockier gully to the left of the standard route, and it was much easier. I reached the summit at 11:34, and promptly ate most of the food I brought. I could hear the conversation of a group of people on Challenger from where I sat. The wind must've been just right.
The central valley.Looking back at Willow Lake.The Crestones sure look tempting, but not today.You can see a cluster of climbers on Challenger.
I began the long descent at 11:50. A helpful climber saved me unnecessary elevation loss on the route back to Kit Carson Avenue, and I feel eternally grateful. Thank you, kind stranger! It was a relatively uneventful trip, aside from stubbing a toe and nicking an ankle on a rock. Nothing serious, to be sure. The descent back to Willow Lake was the most difficult part of the entire hike, and I made it to the cliff above Willow Lake at 13:50. I was glad to finish this section.
Willow Lake.I've been up so long it feels like down.
The hike back to the trailhead was fairly uneventful from that point forward. I reached my car at 16:03, promptly ate all of my food, and drove back to Taos. My total round trip time, including breaks, was 9:00:05. Based on the reactions of people I met along the way, I think I did okay. :) I'd gladly do it again, but would start no later than 05:00. Cheers, everyone.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I had a great time, and wanted to share. Now that I live just across the Southern CO border, I'll come back as often as I can. They say variety is the spice of life.
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