Route Climbed: south couloir Date Climbed: August 2004
Standard route from our overnight camp at South Colony Lakes. Over Broken Hand Pass and past Cottonwood Lake. Climbed the east summit first (14,260') which is the high point of Custer County. Icy conditions on last 200' before the sun struck the rocks made the east summit a little treacherous. Then climbed the main summit with Gurbinder.
Had a heart-pounding experience in the wet, red couloir that morning. A 200 pound boulder pulled loose and dropped right beside my climbing buddy who was standing on a shelf just 15 feet below. You can never be too careful.
Route Climbed: South Face/Red Couloir Date Climbed: September 21, 2003
I backpacked over Broken Hand Pass into a solitary camp at Cottonwood Lake, and then climbed to both Crestone Peak summits (east & west) the following morning, descended the route, broke camp and returned to the TH that day.
Route Climbed: NW Couloir Date Climbed: June 200 or 2001
This is a great late spring snow climb. What fun! We tried the traverse to the Needle but chose to retreat to the S couloir as the weather wasn't cooperating. Can't wait to get the needle one day! Pretty good fishing in the S. Cololny Lakes as well - surprising!
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: August 21, 2004
Erin and I led a friend up Crestone's South Face route from a camp in Cottonwood Creek, tagging the summit of East Crestone along the way. After lunch at Cottonwood Lake, she and I climbed Broken Hand Peak. A trip report is available here.
Route Climbed: South Couloir Date Climbed: July 17 2004
Started at South Colony Lakes and went over Broken Hand Pass. As we began to climb the south couloir clouds started moving in at around 9:00am. Stopped at 13,400 ft to wait out the weather and finally decided to go for. Reached the summit but it was too cloudy to see anything around. Quickly descended back to Cottonwood Lake and then over to South Colony.
missed the N couloir in 01, tried again from cottonwood lake and the S couloir in 02. Hard to get to, but a straightforward climb once in the right couloir. Someone had signed the log "I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob..."
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: August 2002
Like it's smaller but pointier (is that a word?) neighbor, I've climbed this one twice and it was great both times. Backpacking up to Cottonwood Lake is a pretty tough hike, but well worth it. If you get the chance, climb the East Crestone Peak - it's a new perspective.
Route Climbed: South Face via Cottonwood Creek Date Climbed: July 22, 2002
Encouraged by success on Kit Carson and Challenger the week before, Erin and I returned to the Sangres to try Crestone Peak. We used the Cottonwood Creek approach, and we had an interesting time negotiating that trail in the dark. We reached Cottonwood Lake at daybreak, but ominous clouds greeted us in the morning light. After waiting for a break in the clouds, we summitted Crestone Peak. We were so excited, we forgot about East Crestone.... guess we'll be coming back someday! A trip report is available here.
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: August 1997
This is a good, manageable route on an exciting fourteener peak. Climbed the Peak first, then Crestone Needle and Humboldt. It makes for a long but memorable day! Highly recommeded.
Route Climbed: three 14ers Date Climbed: Augest 10, 2001
I climbed all three of the local 14ers this day in one long hard push. Real hardmen can add in Kit Carson too, but, ah well, maybe next time.
Did a wierd variation up a sketchy couloir on the SE face of the Needle, then traversed to Crestone Peak summit --- also sketchy in places; couldn't see the simple ridge route the guide described (need better guide!) -- and then slogged up Humboldt, which is the least interesting in terms of climbing, but a nice relaxing grind to end the day. Started at 530am, got down by 130 to avoid lingering monsoon weather.
big_g - Aug 8, 2003 1:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2003
Route Climbed: South Face/Red Couloir
Day 2 of my Crestone hikathon. Beautiful peak but I was a little disappointed in the route. It seemed like I was not using my hands enough for it to be a class 3 route. Maybe I am that good?
Route Climbed: South Face/Red Couloir Date Climbed: August 2, 2003
This is a classic class 3 route with a wonderful summit. Thanks to Andy for joining me on this climb. It was a great day in the Sangres, and this is a peak which rates as one of my favorites. See photos of this trip on my website.
Route Climbed: Red Coulior Date Climbed: August 2, 2003
I had a great time climbing with Alan Ellis. We left camp at South Colony Lakes at 4:30 and were on the summit by 8:45. The weather was beautiful and the climb was a blast. We made it back to camp by 13:30. This was my first taste of the Sangre de Cristos. I'll be back!
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: July 20, 2002
After having reached the summit of my first 14er, the Crestone Needle, the day before, I was somewhat hesitant to climb Crestone Peak. I enjoyed the long hike from South Colony to the base of the Red Couloir, but once we got to the Couloir I began getting anxious to get this one behind me.
I admit now that the Needle totally psyched me out for the rest of the weekend, and all because my climbing partner lead me up a difficult class 4 climb with the perception of great exposure on the way up the needle.
I eventually settled into the Red Couloir and actually began enjoying the climb until we actually reached the summit. Then I began dreaming of the wide open spaces of Texas.
I was glad to get off the summit and back into the couloir of which I really enjoyed hiking back down.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 19, 2002
A long day but worth the trip. The class 2-3 rock climbing was the most fun for me. The summit was great with wonderful views of the Sand Dunes, Kit Carson, Crestone Needle etc.
Route Climbed: Colony Lakes to N Coulair Date Climbed: July 6 1999
Approached to Bear's Playground and then traversed into the north chute. The snow was soft and ice axe used for safety. Only one on the Crestones today.
Route Climbed: North Buttress Date Climbed: September 21, 2002
This was by far my most challenging 14er to date and was probably more challenging than it needed to be considering I forgot to bring a copy of the route description. I think we were close to the North Buttress route however several times it felt like the difficulty was pushing class five. Attempted to make the traverse to the needle and had to bail as the sun was setting. The trek back to South Colony lake was extremely difficult trudging through thigh deep snow at times and finally making it back to camp at 12:00am.
Route Climbed: Cottonwood - south couloir - traverse to Needle Date Climbed: Aug. 7, 2002
Climbed with Mike Bur. The trail up from Cottonwood is horrible, ended up bushwacking class 3 to treeline. The actual climb up the couloir was much easier. No snow. We met another climber who was climbing barefoot. It took us 5 hours from the Cottonwood trailhead to the summit, and 14 hours total including the traverse to the Needle and back down.
Route Climbed: Northwest Coulior and Traverse Date Climbed: July 2001
This coulior was my first real snow climb. very nice! the traverse was difficult, that last summit pitch to the needle was incredible, i would highly reccomend ths route!!!!!
Larry V - Mar 20, 2005 3:32 pm
Route Climbed: south couloir Date Climbed: August 2004Standard route from our overnight camp at South Colony Lakes. Over Broken Hand Pass and past Cottonwood Lake. Climbed the east summit first (14,260') which is the high point of Custer County. Icy conditions on last 200' before the sun struck the rocks made the east summit a little treacherous. Then climbed the main summit with Gurbinder.
Had a heart-pounding experience in the wet, red couloir that morning. A 200 pound boulder pulled loose and dropped right beside my climbing buddy who was standing on a shelf just 15 feet below. You can never be too careful.
ColoradoScott - Feb 2, 2005 11:44 am
Route Climbed: South Face/Red Couloir Date Climbed: September 21, 2003I backpacked over Broken Hand Pass into a solitary camp at Cottonwood Lake, and then climbed to both Crestone Peak summits (east & west) the following morning, descended the route, broke camp and returned to the TH that day.
bakcast - Jan 5, 2005 7:37 pm
Route Climbed: NW Couloir Date Climbed: June 200 or 2001This is a great late spring snow climb. What fun! We tried the traverse to the Needle but chose to retreat to the S couloir as the weather wasn't cooperating. Can't wait to get the needle one day! Pretty good fishing in the S. Cololny Lakes as well - surprising!
RyanS - Aug 26, 2004 3:03 pm
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: August 21, 2004Erin and I led a friend up Crestone's South Face route from a camp in Cottonwood Creek, tagging the summit of East Crestone along the way. After lunch at Cottonwood Lake, she and I climbed Broken Hand Peak. A trip report is available here.
bdewoody - Jul 20, 2004 2:11 am
Route Climbed: South Couloir Date Climbed: July 17 2004Started at South Colony Lakes and went over Broken Hand Pass. As we began to climb the south couloir clouds started moving in at around 9:00am. Stopped at 13,400 ft to wait out the weather and finally decided to go for. Reached the summit but it was too cloudy to see anything around. Quickly descended back to Cottonwood Lake and then over to South Colony.
DaveC - May 20, 2004 9:28 pm
Route Climbed: s couloir Date Climbed: june 02missed the N couloir in 01, tried again from cottonwood lake and the S couloir in 02. Hard to get to, but a straightforward climb once in the right couloir. Someone had signed the log "I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob..."
sbkelley - May 12, 2004 2:51 pm
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: August 2002Like it's smaller but pointier (is that a word?) neighbor, I've climbed this one twice and it was great both times. Backpacking up to Cottonwood Lake is a pretty tough hike, but well worth it. If you get the chance, climb the East Crestone Peak - it's a new perspective.
RyanS - Apr 12, 2004 11:52 am
Route Climbed: South Face via Cottonwood Creek Date Climbed: July 22, 2002Encouraged by success on Kit Carson and Challenger the week before, Erin and I returned to the Sangres to try Crestone Peak. We used the Cottonwood Creek approach, and we had an interesting time negotiating that trail in the dark. We reached Cottonwood Lake at daybreak, but ominous clouds greeted us in the morning light. After waiting for a break in the clouds, we summitted Crestone Peak. We were so excited, we forgot about East Crestone.... guess we'll be coming back someday! A trip report is available here.
Larry V - Apr 10, 2004 9:57 am
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: August 1997This is a good, manageable route on an exciting fourteener peak. Climbed the Peak first, then Crestone Needle and Humboldt. It makes for a long but memorable day! Highly recommeded.
eckdoerry - Nov 28, 2003 11:46 am
Route Climbed: three 14ers Date Climbed: Augest 10, 2001I climbed all three of the local 14ers this day in one long hard push. Real hardmen can add in Kit Carson too, but, ah well, maybe next time.
Did a wierd variation up a sketchy couloir on the SE face of the Needle, then traversed to Crestone Peak summit --- also sketchy in places; couldn't see the simple ridge route the guide described (need better guide!) -- and then slogged up Humboldt, which is the least interesting in terms of climbing, but a nice relaxing grind to end the day. Started at 530am, got down by 130 to avoid lingering monsoon weather.
big_g - Aug 8, 2003 1:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2003
Route Climbed: South Face/Red CouloirDay 2 of my Crestone hikathon. Beautiful peak but I was a little disappointed in the route. It seemed like I was not using my hands enough for it to be a class 3 route. Maybe I am that good?
Alan Ellis - Aug 3, 2003 3:45 pm
Route Climbed: South Face/Red Couloir Date Climbed: August 2, 2003This is a classic class 3 route with a wonderful summit. Thanks to Andy for joining me on this climb. It was a great day in the Sangres, and this is a peak which rates as one of my favorites. See photos of this trip on my website.
Andy - Aug 3, 2003 1:18 pm
Route Climbed: Red Coulior Date Climbed: August 2, 2003I had a great time climbing with Alan Ellis. We left camp at South Colony Lakes at 4:30 and were on the summit by 8:45. The weather was beautiful and the climb was a blast. We made it back to camp by 13:30. This was my first taste of the Sangre de Cristos. I'll be back!
charms - Jan 16, 2003 7:07 pm
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: July 20, 2002After having reached the summit of my first 14er, the Crestone Needle, the day before, I was somewhat hesitant to climb Crestone Peak. I enjoyed the long hike from South Colony to the base of the Red Couloir, but once we got to the Couloir I began getting anxious to get this one behind me.
I admit now that the Needle totally psyched me out for the rest of the weekend, and all because my climbing partner lead me up a difficult class 4 climb with the perception of great exposure on the way up the needle.
I eventually settled into the Red Couloir and actually began enjoying the climb until we actually reached the summit. Then I began dreaming of the wide open spaces of Texas.
I was glad to get off the summit and back into the couloir of which I really enjoyed hiking back down.
mtnhiker13 - Dec 27, 2002 12:10 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 19, 2002A long day but worth the trip. The class 2-3 rock climbing was the most fun for me. The summit was great with wonderful views of the Sand Dunes, Kit Carson, Crestone Needle etc.
rmjwinters - Oct 5, 2002 9:06 pm
Route Climbed: Colony Lakes to N Coulair Date Climbed: July 6 1999Approached to Bear's Playground and then traversed into the north chute. The snow was soft and ice axe used for safety. Only one on the Crestones today.
xskier77 - Sep 22, 2002 6:49 pm
Route Climbed: North Buttress Date Climbed: September 21, 2002This was by far my most challenging 14er to date and was probably more challenging than it needed to be considering I forgot to bring a copy of the route description. I think we were close to the North Buttress route however several times it felt like the difficulty was pushing class five. Attempted to make the traverse to the needle and had to bail as the sun was setting. The trek back to South Colony lake was extremely difficult trudging through thigh deep snow at times and finally making it back to camp at 12:00am.
Matt Mahoney - Sep 13, 2002 5:28 pm
Route Climbed: Cottonwood - south couloir - traverse to Needle Date Climbed: Aug. 7, 2002Climbed with Mike Bur. The trail up from Cottonwood is horrible, ended up bushwacking class 3 to treeline. The actual climb up the couloir was much easier. No snow. We met another climber who was climbing barefoot. It took us 5 hours from the Cottonwood trailhead to the summit, and 14 hours total including the traverse to the Needle and back down.
coloradoclimber - May 28, 2002 5:21 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Coulior and Traverse Date Climbed: July 2001This coulior was my first real snow climb. very nice! the traverse was difficult, that last summit pitch to the needle was incredible, i would highly reccomend ths route!!!!!
jwclimbs - Apr 1, 2002 8:31 pm
Route Climbed: North Buttress Date Climbed: Aug. 29, 2001Very nice route. I'd take the 4th class knobby adventure over the wet, loose scree of the Northwest Couloir any day.