HokieJim - Jul 17, 2007 1:56 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Epic Hail Storm...
With ktiffany22: heinous hail storm on the hike out from Willow Lake, just glad we weren't in that higher on the mountain!
ktiffany22 - Jul 10, 2007 2:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
A day of ups and downs
An amazingly beautiful and exciting hike to the summit of Kit Carson and Challenger Point, followed by an extremely tiring descent down loose "garbage" on Challenger's steep slope and slippery trail below. Decided to pack out early, and paid the price... 2 hrs 15 minutes of rain, 30 minutes of which was dime to nickel sized hail... ouch, cold, wet, lucky. That sums it up. Happy 7/7/7!
markhyams - Jun 12, 2007 12:45 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2007
N Ridge of Challenger
Climbed the North Ridge variation to the North Slopes route. We stayed all the way to the right of the north face, and then traversed the north ridge to the summit, encountering some fourth class terrain en route.
mountainloverCO - May 25, 2007 1:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2006
Only Challenger
Beautiful approach to Willow Lake. After reaching Willow Lake, the hike became much stiffer and steeper as we had to slog up loose talus/scree on the North slopes of Challenger. Only summited Challenger due to building clouds in the Sangre region. Kit Carson will have to wait for another day.
boisedoc - Dec 17, 2006 4:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1989
Tough
From South Colony Lakes. Lots of scrambling. Initially I missed the last broad couloir leading to the summit and ended up on Challenger Point- a bit embarrassed about that. On the way back, I tried to take a shortcut down to the South Colony Lakes from the Bears Playgound and had an uncontrolled slide down a snow filled gully- ice axe probably saved me from a severe injury.
Mots010 - Dec 10, 2006 12:24 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Challenger
Camped at willow lake, then took the standard route up around the backside ridge at the top. I highly recommend NOT taking the gully route. Its a shooting gallery of falling rocks, especially on a busy day. Definitely bring a helmet. Didnt summit Kit Karson as my friend was scared from the exposure on the traverse of the ridge to Kit Karson summit. Maybe next time!
flamethewolf - Oct 22, 2006 3:53 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2006
Number 3
Scary climb in snow
CO PUMA - Sep 9, 2006 9:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2006
Willow Lake TH
Climbed up to Challenger Point via the gully and then traversed over to Kit Carson. So much fun and the views were incredible. I attempted last year but got turned around by all the snow on Kit Carson Avenue.
jfrishmanIII - Jun 30, 2006 7:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2006
Standard Route
Stellar approach hike! Lots of columbines and other flowers. Mist was boiling all around at Challenger's summit. I wisely bailed on Kit Carson: thunder, hail, rain followed shortly. Must come back!
Kiefer - Jun 30, 2006 5:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2006
Standard Route
This is getting to be ridicilous. This was my 4th summit of Challenger and 6th attempt at Kit Carson with still no luck!
Every time the weather moves in. In fact, on this trip, I was hailed on, snowed on, 'grappled' on, and rained on. I got caught on Challenger's summit during a fast moving snow-thunderstorm.
I WILL summit Kit Carson!!
Gahugafuga - Jun 20, 2006 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2005
North Ridge
So fun it's almost criminal.
Brian Kalet - Jun 10, 2006 11:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2006
Natasha - May 30, 2006 6:45 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2006
Great Day in the Sangre De Cristos
Had a long, but fabulous day on Challenger and Kit Carson. Two incredible peaks, well, worth the long drive!
Note: Ice axe is still a must right now.
Brad Snider - May 21, 2006 11:24 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2006
Triple Crown!
Started from TH 3:30 AM, up the North Ridge of Kit Carson (AWESOME climb!!!), then up some scary class 3-4 ice and snow filled gullies to Columbia Point (fighting approaching thunderstorms), and back to Challenger Point via the Avenue. A seventeen hour day worth the effort!
Made the round trip from the Willow Creek Trailhead. Climbed the west ridge via Kit Carson Avenue; still had lots of snow so I was glad to have my ice axe along
It was the last day of a 10 day 18 14,000 ft. summit solo climbing trip and I was tired and happy.
Mountain Jim - Mar 23, 2006 7:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 1968
From Colony Lakes
Climbed Kit Carson in August of 1968, and Challenger Point from Willow Lake Sept 25, 1988.
HokieJim - Jul 17, 2007 1:56 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Epic Hail Storm...With ktiffany22: heinous hail storm on the hike out from Willow Lake, just glad we weren't in that higher on the mountain!
ktiffany22 - Jul 10, 2007 2:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
A day of ups and downsAn amazingly beautiful and exciting hike to the summit of Kit Carson and Challenger Point, followed by an extremely tiring descent down loose "garbage" on Challenger's steep slope and slippery trail below. Decided to pack out early, and paid the price... 2 hrs 15 minutes of rain, 30 minutes of which was dime to nickel sized hail... ouch, cold, wet, lucky. That sums it up. Happy 7/7/7!
markhyams - Jun 12, 2007 12:45 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2007
N Ridge of ChallengerClimbed the North Ridge variation to the North Slopes route. We stayed all the way to the right of the north face, and then traversed the north ridge to the summit, encountering some fourth class terrain en route.
mountainloverCO - May 25, 2007 1:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2006
Only ChallengerBeautiful approach to Willow Lake. After reaching Willow Lake, the hike became much stiffer and steeper as we had to slog up loose talus/scree on the North slopes of Challenger. Only summited Challenger due to building clouds in the Sangre region. Kit Carson will have to wait for another day.
boisedoc - Dec 17, 2006 4:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1989
ToughFrom South Colony Lakes. Lots of scrambling. Initially I missed the last broad couloir leading to the summit and ended up on Challenger Point- a bit embarrassed about that. On the way back, I tried to take a shortcut down to the South Colony Lakes from the Bears Playgound and had an uncontrolled slide down a snow filled gully- ice axe probably saved me from a severe injury.
Mots010 - Dec 10, 2006 12:24 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
ChallengerCamped at willow lake, then took the standard route up around the backside ridge at the top. I highly recommend NOT taking the gully route. Its a shooting gallery of falling rocks, especially on a busy day. Definitely bring a helmet. Didnt summit Kit Karson as my friend was scared from the exposure on the traverse of the ridge to Kit Karson summit. Maybe next time!
flamethewolf - Oct 22, 2006 3:53 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2006
Number 3Scary climb in snow
CO PUMA - Sep 9, 2006 9:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2006
Willow Lake THClimbed up to Challenger Point via the gully and then traversed over to Kit Carson. So much fun and the views were incredible. I attempted last year but got turned around by all the snow on Kit Carson Avenue.
whatisis - Sep 5, 2006 4:33 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2006
Standard RouteMy wife and I's first anniversary. Took ALL day (wondered on to wrong route) but made it. What a great day!!
Kiefer - Sep 2, 2006 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2006
via Challenger PointFINALLY!!! After 7 attempts I finally made it up this dam thing. I had great weather all day and even went into work when I got back home.
CODave - Aug 12, 2006 5:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2006
From Willow LakeBoth Challenger & Kit Carson... Willow Lake is amazing
seth@LOKI - Jul 26, 2006 7:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 1994
17 mile day with Humboltwhew, not sure I can do that anymore...
jfrishmanIII - Jun 30, 2006 7:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2006
Standard RouteStellar approach hike! Lots of columbines and other flowers. Mist was boiling all around at Challenger's summit. I wisely bailed on Kit Carson: thunder, hail, rain followed shortly. Must come back!
Kiefer - Jun 30, 2006 5:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2006
Standard RouteThis is getting to be ridicilous. This was my 4th summit of Challenger and 6th attempt at Kit Carson with still no luck!
Every time the weather moves in. In fact, on this trip, I was hailed on, snowed on, 'grappled' on, and rained on. I got caught on Challenger's summit during a fast moving snow-thunderstorm.
I WILL summit Kit Carson!!
Gahugafuga - Jun 20, 2006 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2005
North RidgeSo fun it's almost criminal.
Brian Kalet - Jun 10, 2006 11:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2006
West Ridge via Challenger PointEn route to Columbia Point & "Obstruction Peak". 10.5 hours from Willow Creek TH.
Natasha - May 30, 2006 6:45 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2006
Great Day in the Sangre De CristosHad a long, but fabulous day on Challenger and Kit Carson. Two incredible peaks, well, worth the long drive!
Note: Ice axe is still a must right now.
Brad Snider - May 21, 2006 11:24 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2006
Triple Crown!Started from TH 3:30 AM, up the North Ridge of Kit Carson (AWESOME climb!!!), then up some scary class 3-4 ice and snow filled gullies to Columbia Point (fighting approaching thunderstorms), and back to Challenger Point via the Avenue. A seventeen hour day worth the effort!
km_donovan - Apr 23, 2006 1:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2003
Route Climbed: West Ridge Via Challenger PointMade the round trip from the Willow Creek Trailhead. Climbed the west ridge via Kit Carson Avenue; still had lots of snow so I was glad to have my ice axe along
It was the last day of a 10 day 18 14,000 ft. summit solo climbing trip and I was tired and happy.
Mountain Jim - Mar 23, 2006 7:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 1968
From Colony LakesClimbed Kit Carson in August of 1968, and Challenger Point from Willow Lake Sept 25, 1988.