Follow the
Challenger Point - North Slope Route to reach the summit of Challenger. From Challenger, Kit Carson is unmistakable
1 2. If you proceed to Kit Carson, remember that you must then return to Challenger, so make sure the weather is on your side. Descend east to the small 13,800-foot saddle
between Challenger and Kit Carson
3 and climb onto a Class 2 ledge called Kit Carson Avenue, which runs south along the side of the peak. Continue along the Avenue
4 to reach a 13,960-foot saddle between Kit Carson and a large fin called The Prow
5.
From here, you'll see the next section – a longer portion of the Avenue that descends east
6. Follow it downward and pass through a wide notch
7 8. Next, you need to descend farther down the Avenue and locate the entry point into a broad gully to the left, just before a rock rib beyond the end of the Avenue
9 10 11. Near 13,650', turn left
into the broad, shallow gully
12. STOP! Before continuing higher, carefully look around to familiarize yourself with the area, as you'll need to return via the Avenue and descend Challenger
13.
From this spot, it's roughly 450 feet to the summit. Ascend the center of the gully on Difficult Class 2 terrain
14. Higher up, you may encounter brief sections of easy Class 3. Follow trail fragments and small cairns as you navigate the easiest path up the center
15. As you near the ridge crest, angle left to bypass the final rock outcroppings
16. Around 14,000 feet, the terrain opens up, with the summit visible to your left
17. Continue to the summit ridge
18 19 and over to the summit
20 21 22.
23 shows the upper route as seen from Crestone Peak. For the descent, follow your steps back to the Avenue, return to Challenger, and take the standard route back down.
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