Route Climbed: Cottonwood - traverse from Peak Date Climbed: Aug. 7, 2002
Climbed with Mike Bur. This was my second time on the summit, and the second time it started hailing right at that minute. We made a hasty descent down the south couloir and got off route on the awful trail back to Cottonwood just as we had done coming up. 14 hours car to car. The final class 4 pitch to the summit was the scariest thing I have ever climbed without a rope.
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: September 9, 2002
I camped out by the lakes, and it took me about 7-1/2 hours. The clouds were low, I felt bad, and I got off route quite a bit. The rock was not as solid as I would of liked, I would recommend a helment. The climbing was fun and at the summit, I was treated to a great view of clouds. I will someday return, do the climb in a better mood! Highly recommended climb!
Route Climbed: Cottonwood creek trail - south face Date Climbed: Aug. 13 2001
Awesome climb. Trail is very rough, got off route and did a lot of steep bouldering even before treeline. At the summit I watched 2 guys come up the class 4 crux of the traverse and tried to downclimb it just to get a look. Right then it started hailing and there was St. Elmo's fire on the summit. I got off route in the descent (very bad) and ended up descending too soon down the middle of a steep, exposed waterfall mixed with ice and with lightning all around. The storm passed down by Cottonwood Lake but I was dead tired from climbing every day for 2 weeks and didn't even think about climbing the Peak. It was 10 hours car to car.
Route Climbed: Peak-to-Needle Traverse Date Climbed: 7.29.01
As posted in my mountain log book, "Sweet-Ass-Sweet!"
8 hrs. from tent to tent. We camped along a gorgeous section of the South Colony Creek just below lower South Colony Lake. The weather could not have been nicer. My only regret was that I didn't tag Humbolt Pk. while I was there. That's alright though, I'll be back for Ellingwoods Arete anyhow.
This some of the best 3rd class climbing in the state of Colorado! I have climbed this route twice and have learned that good route finding makes it easy. Take your time and look for cairns!
Route Climbed: Ellingwood Arete Date Climbed: July 9, 2001
Of all the 14ers I've climbed, this is definately my favorite. It was my 2nd time to the S. Colony Lakes and it was even more beautiful than I remember. I went with my buddy Sean and former high school teacher Mr. Spengler. We took Sean's K-5 Blazer (a beast of a vehicle) up the rough road (gets worse every time) and then hiked 2 miles to the upper lake. We bivyed and of course it rained. Got up at 3:30 and were climbing by 4. This was Sean and I's first time up but Mr. Spengler's 11th so route finding was very easy. I enjoyed the 3rd and 4th class scrambling up the ledges but the real joy were the last 3 roped pitches. Very solid rock and good protection. We summited the Needle in 6 hours but couldn't continue to the Peak because of weather so were forced to descend the standard route. 4 hours down. Excellent climb, recommended.
Matt Mahoney - Sep 13, 2002 5:41 pm
Route Climbed: Cottonwood - traverse from Peak Date Climbed: Aug. 7, 2002Climbed with Mike Bur. This was my second time on the summit, and the second time it started hailing right at that minute. We made a hasty descent down the south couloir and got off route on the awful trail back to Cottonwood just as we had done coming up. 14 hours car to car. The final class 4 pitch to the summit was the scariest thing I have ever climbed without a rope.
Hendere - Sep 12, 2002 4:19 pm
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: September 9, 2002I camped out by the lakes, and it took me about 7-1/2 hours. The clouds were low, I felt bad, and I got off route quite a bit. The rock was not as solid as I would of liked, I would recommend a helment. The climbing was fun and at the summit, I was treated to a great view of clouds. I will someday return, do the climb in a better mood! Highly recommended climb!
Matt Mahoney - May 17, 2002 10:58 am
Route Climbed: Cottonwood creek trail - south face Date Climbed: Aug. 13 2001Awesome climb. Trail is very rough, got off route and did a lot of steep bouldering even before treeline. At the summit I watched 2 guys come up the class 4 crux of the traverse and tried to downclimb it just to get a look. Right then it started hailing and there was St. Elmo's fire on the summit. I got off route in the descent (very bad) and ended up descending too soon down the middle of a steep, exposed waterfall mixed with ice and with lightning all around. The storm passed down by Cottonwood Lake but I was dead tired from climbing every day for 2 weeks and didn't even think about climbing the Peak. It was 10 hours car to car.
jwclimbs - Feb 17, 2002 10:30 pm
Route Climbed: Peak-to-Needle Traverse Date Climbed: 7.29.01As posted in my mountain log book, "Sweet-Ass-Sweet!"
8 hrs. from tent to tent. We camped along a gorgeous section of the South Colony Creek just below lower South Colony Lake. The weather could not have been nicer. My only regret was that I didn't tag Humbolt Pk. while I was there. That's alright though, I'll be back for Ellingwoods Arete anyhow.
miztflip - Aug 8, 2001 2:47 pm
Route Climbed: South Face from South Colony Date Climbed: April ?, 1999This was my second ever alpine ice and snow climb. What a great climb. Crestone Peak and Needle are two of my favorite Colorado climbs.
climbcolorado - Jul 17, 2001 10:13 am
Route Climbed: South FaceThis some of the best 3rd class climbing in the state of Colorado! I have climbed this route twice and have learned that good route finding makes it easy. Take your time and look for cairns!
jratk - Jul 17, 2001 12:01 am
Route Climbed: Ellingwood Arete Date Climbed: July 9, 2001Of all the 14ers I've climbed, this is definately my favorite. It was my 2nd time to the S. Colony Lakes and it was even more beautiful than I remember. I went with my buddy Sean and former high school teacher Mr. Spengler. We took Sean's K-5 Blazer (a beast of a vehicle) up the rough road (gets worse every time) and then hiked 2 miles to the upper lake. We bivyed and of course it rained. Got up at 3:30 and were climbing by 4. This was Sean and I's first time up but Mr. Spengler's 11th so route finding was very easy. I enjoyed the 3rd and 4th class scrambling up the ledges but the real joy were the last 3 roped pitches. Very solid rock and good protection. We summited the Needle in 6 hours but couldn't continue to the Peak because of weather so were forced to descend the standard route. 4 hours down. Excellent climb, recommended.