SummitPost.org

I'll be in CO for 10 days at the end of August. One of my goals is Oso via Roell Creek. Yes, I am aware of the undertaking... and have planned/scouted for 2+ years. If Oso goes well, I'd also like to climb the Eolus group. I was wondering if anyone has summited Sunlight or Windom from the East (Sunlight/Hazel Lakes) without needing technical gear (ie - very low Class 5 or lower)? Based on some limited photos, it appears possible (http://www.summitpost.org/chicago-basin-peaks/682327). Again, I realize this will require extensive bushwhacking. It just looks so interesting from that direction. If it's not possible, I'll just go up and over Columbine Pass into Chicago Basin. Thanks in advance.

Reviving this thread -- has anyone done this? Is it possible? Thx,

Michael

We packed over from Sunlight Basin to Chicago Basin last year, the "pass" between "Sunlight Spire" and Windom definitely goes, and does so at a class 2 rating, albeit a bit loose and with some large talus boulders. Its not that bad thought, there is a cliff band near the bottom, but we got around it without too much trouble. Considering we did this with 60 pound packs, day tripping from Sunlight Lake should not be an issue and would not require any technical gear. I know someone who went between Sunlight and Sunlight Spire from this side and said it was nasty, I would go for the Windom-"Spire" saddle.

My partner put up a TR on another site, there are several images that show you the trip from Sunlight Lake over the pass we took, and one that shows what the Sunlight-"Spire" saddle looks like and its nasty gully.

http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=12635&parmuser=Papillon&cpgm=tripmain&ski=Include