Peak Q
Peaks Q & W
Date: 10/03/2020
Partner: Kristi Henes
Trailhead: Pitkin Creek TH
Summits: Peak Q(class 4), Peak W(class 2)
Distance: 19.5m
Elevation Gain: 7800ft
Duration: 12hrs 50m
A rewarding day of linking up multiple Gore drainages to summit Peak Q from the west. Lots of trail miles, plenty of scrambling, some tedious down climbing on loose\steep terrain and some of the best views the Gore has to offer. If you attempt this route be sure to keep some gas in the tank for the 1300ft climb from Lower Slate to Might Pass towards the end of the day.
![Q 01]()
19.5m - 7800ft - 12hrs 50m
![Q 01q]()
Upper Slate Lake and morning light on Peak Q (The Prisoner) on a later trip
![Q 02]()
Kristi in VW Basin - X Prime & Usable Pass top right
![Q 03]()
On ascending W's SE slopes
![Q 04]()
L2R: Peak U and Traverse to Peak P. Peak Q far Right
![Q 05]()
Peak V from Peak W
![Q 06]()
Descending W's western slopes
![Q 07]()
A view north in Lower Slate Creek from below Peak W
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Climbing through a grassy maze of cliffs to the basin below Peak Q and R
![Q 09]()
On route to the upper basin below Q. Peaks W and V behind
![Q 10]()
The incredible basin on the east side of Q. Peak Q Center - Pogo Pinnacle Right
![Q 11]()
Kristi looking to Q with Peak R providing an impressive backdrop
![Q 12]()
Spires on Q's east ridge
![Q 13]()
Peak 'R'ad
![Q 14]()
Climbing to the Q/R saddle
![Q 15]()
![Q 16]()
A rewarding view of South America and Peak L from the Q/R saddle
![Q 17]()
Peak L dominates above the Upper Slate Creek basin. Only class 3?
![Q 18]()
Kristi on Q's northeastern ridge below the summit block
![Q 19]()
Q's summit comes into view
![Q 20]()
Scrambling below the summit ridge
![Q 21]()
Kristi climbing close to the summit
![Q 22]()
Alex reaches Q's summit
![Q 23]()
A great view of Ripsaw ridge to the west
![Q 24]()
Oh hey!
![Q 25]()
Looking across Q's summit notch
![Q 26]()
Time to down climb Q's class 4 summit block
![Q 27]()
I want that! Another view west to Ripsaw
![Q 28]()
Can't get enough of Upper Slate and Peak L
![Q 29]()
Kristi crossing some snowy ledges... don't slip
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Mugging with South America and Peak L
![Q 31]()
![Q 32]()
The magical basin on the east side of Q. Peak W top middle
![Q 33]()
Goodbye Lower Slate
![Q 34]()
The work was not done... time to ascend the 1300ft to Might Pass just east of Peak U
![Q 35]()
One last look to Lower Slate from Might Pass
![Q 36]()
Looking east across the Partner Traverse from Might Pass
![Q 37a]()
![Q 38]()
Peak V and the Partner Traverse
![Q 39]()
Descending U from Might Pass
![Q 40]()
Hello friends... are you ready for winter?
![Q 41]()
One last boulder field to cross at Pitkin Lake before picking up the trail and 5 miles back to the TH
![Q 42]()
Goodbye Pitkin Lake... you're gorgeous!
