Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Shanahan96 (Jamie) and I rucked up and began hiking up the South Colony Lakes road from the 2WD parking area at 8,800' at about 1545 on Friday afternoon. Shanhan96 was carrying his 50 lb pack (looking like Samwise Gamgee) and I was carrying my super-ultralight (no tent) hydration pack with an intention to camp high on Humbolt if conditions allowed.
After hiking 3.5 miles we heard the sweet sound of ATVs coming up the road behind us. Three nice young men - Kyle, Robert and Justin were happy to give us a ride to the TH. We were VERY APPRECIATIVE of the ride! Our transportation for the final 1.5 miles of the South Colony Road:
We made it to the TH (11,040') about 1830 and Shanhan96 immediately set up his tent and camp. Kyle, Robert and Justin headed up to the Lower Lake to make camp at 11,670'. After Jamie finished setting up camp, we headed up to the Lower Lake to visit with Kyle, Robert and Justin for a few minutes.
I was determined to bag Humbolt on this trip and the sky was looking favorable. Jamie headed back to his low camp at the TH and I headed up to the Upper Lake and Humbolt at about 2010. Feeling quite tired, I reached the Humbolt saddle at about 2135. The almost full moon was providing plenty of light for a night ascent. I summited Humbolt at 2230. There is NOT A LICK of snow between the 2WD parking at 8,800 and Humbolt's summit at 14,064. TalusMonkey on the Humbolt summit wind shelter with the moon behind.
I returned to the Humbolt saddle (12,850') and made a light bivouac on a small grassy area. It was a little breezy on the saddle, so I built a very short wind break out of rocks. I slept under the stars and the almost full moon.
My bivouac consisted of a Kelty Light Year 25 degree bag, Thermarest Prolite 3 Short pad and a piece of polypropylene tarp all shoved into a Camelsak RimRunner hydration pack (1,550 ci). The loaded pack with all gear (including ice axe and helmet), food and water weighed in at about 19.5 lbs.
Here are two photos taken only 30 seconds apart at about 0545 on the Humbolt Summit. Crestone Needle is on the left and Crestone Peak is on the right.
The next morning I woke and prepared for the traverse around the South Colony cirque rim to Crestone Peak's North Couloir... See the Crestone Peak trip report:
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Comments or Questions
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
