Partner Traverse
Date: 7/23/2025
Partner: Brian Jozefat
Trailhead: Pitkin TH
Distance: 12.3m
Elevation Gain: 5300ft
Duration: 12hrs
Difficlutly: Low 5
GPX
East Partner 14ers.com Page
West Partner 14ers.com Page
There are so many ways you can traverse this ridge. I doubt it has been done the same way by any two groups. This report should give you a general flavor for what to expect. Go in with the expectation that you will be constantly navigating and climbing/down climbing exposed pitches in the class 4 / low 5 range. The ridge is chock full of amazing features that will get your attention at every turn. If this kinda thing is your jam, you will remember it as a classic! For the most part we stuck to the ridge... the rock was solid coast to coast!
Twelve miles and 5300ft on technical terrain make for a sizable day trip. If you have the time consider spending a day or two in this drainage and tackle some of the other classic objectives in the zone.
![Partner traverse 01]()
12.3m - 5300ft - 12hrs
![Partner traverse 02]()
Brian leaves the trail and heads for East Partner's south ridge
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West Partner and Pitkin Lake from East Partner's south ridge
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Looking up East Partner's fun south ridge to the summit
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West Partner still demanding attention
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Brian on East Partner's south ridge with Outpost Peak behind
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Making progress on East Partner
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Alex approaching a knife edge
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Brian down climbing on a knife edge
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East Partner's south ridge is a scrambling gem
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NW summit views from East Partner. L2R: West Partner, Peak H, Peak Q, Peak R
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Stoked to start the traverse!
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Brian begins the down climb off of East Partner's summit. For the most part the rule was to stay the ridge proper
![Partner traverse 14]()
Some reachy down climb moves
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The ridge has high quality solid rock start to finish. Pitkin Lake below
![Partner traverse 16]()
Brian demonstrates perfect scrambling form as Peak Q looks on
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Spicy and steep down climbs made easier by high quality rock
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Looking back to East Partner as we make our way across the ridge
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Peak R's south face with Peak L behind
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Lots of this on the ridge
![Partner traverse 21]()
The terrain mellows as we approach the saddle. If you need to bail for any reason this might be a good spot. The ridge gets more difficult from here on out... but the rock quality remains high.
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Slate Creek big boys... Peaks Q, L and R
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Oh yeah... Peak L (aka The Necklace) so sexy!
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The ridge getting ready to plummet before a steep climb across the way
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Alex starting the steep climb
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Brian navigates a spicy down climb
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One of the cooler features on the ridge. Brian scoots down the knife edge to a reachy stem move across the crack
![Partner traverse 28]()
Well... it was reachy for me
![Partner traverse 29]()
And shimmy down the crack
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Up another tower
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More exposed scrambly fun with a view back to East Partner
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![Partner traverse 33]()
Up and over another tower
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Peak-a-boo!
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Another favorite feature of the traverse... a big crack halving a steep slab
![Partner traverse 37]()
Brian climbing the crack
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Alex climbs the crack with a badass tower behind
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The terrain mellows to class 3-4 as we approached West Partner... but stays scrambly all the way to the summit
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Not too far from the summit - Outpost behind
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North West views into Upper Piney Basin. Peak H (R) - The Spider (L)
![Partner traverse 42]()
Brian approaching the summit
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Q is for damn what a Qewl Peak!
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A little summit celebration before heading back across West Partner's south ridge and down to Pitkin Lake
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A manageable and midly tedious descent. Maybe we should have taken the ridge?
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Great views of our traverse and East Partner while descending to the lake
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The terrain mellows in the land of Pikas and Marmots
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Don't let your guard down as there is a down climb or two before the lake
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![Partner traverse 51]()
The wildflowers were popping, the lake was teaming with trout and a Bald Eagle gave us a fly by. What a magical place!
![Partner traverse 52]()
West Partner towers above Pitkin Lake
![Partner traverse 53]()
Skier's Point and Climber's Point (both part of the Solitude Massif) define the east wall of the Pitkin Creek Valley




















































