Crestone Traverse
Peak - South Face Red Gully - Class 3
Peak to Needle - Low Class 5
Needle Descent - Class 3
TH: Lower South Colony Lake Camp
Summits: Crestone Peak, East Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, Broken Hand Peak
Miles: 11
Vertical: 5100
Time: 9 Hours
Traverse Partners: Kristi Henes, Robby Grace, Jim Griffiths, Mike Poland, Allison Seymour, Jordan Harris
East Crestone Partners: Kristi Henes, Robby Grace
Broken Hand Partners: Robby Grace, Jordan Harris
![Crestones peak to needle 01]()
11m - 5100ft - 9 Hrs
![Crestones peak to needle 02]()
The Needle(L) and the Peak(R) from Humbolt's saddle
![Crestones peak to needle 03]()
Sunrise from South Colony
![Crestones peak to needle 04]()
Sunset on the Needle from camp
![Crestones peak to needle 05]()
Kristi stoked for the day
![Crestones peak to needle 06]()
The Crestones and Cottonwood Lake from a climb on Broken Hand Peak
![Crestones peak to needle 07]()
Mike descending into Cottonwood
![Crestones peak to needle 08]()
The crew heading towards Cottonwood Lake
![Crestones peak to needle 09]()
Cottonwood reflections
![Crestones peak to needle 10]()
The crew getting ready to climb the Red Gully
![Crestones peak to needle 11]()
Jim in the Red Gully
![Crestones peak to needle 12]()
Robby and Kristi in the Red Gully
![Crestones peak to needle 13]()
Robby and Kristi in the Red Gully
![Crestones peak to needle 14]()
Challenger, Kit Carson and Columbia Point from the top of the Red Gully
![Crestones peak to needle 15]()
Kristi on the final climb to the Peak's summit. Picture from East Crestone
![Crestones peak to needle 16]()
Alex summits the Peak 2009
![Crestones peak to needle 17]()
Kristi on the Peak with Pico Asilado behind
![Crestones peak to needle 18]()
Alex and Kristi on the Peak 2009
![Crestones peak to needle 19]()
The Crew L2R: Robby, Mike, Kristi, Alex, Allison, Jordan, Jim
![Crestones peak to needle 20]()
Alex starting the traverse
![Crestones peak to needle 21]()
![Crestones peak to needle 22]()
Gunning for the black gendarme. Can you find Robby?
![Crestones peak to needle 23]()
Alex mid travserse
![Crestones peak to needle 24]()
Climb a 5.2 bulge/ledge to the right of the gendarme
![Crestones peak to needle 25]()
Alex climbing the bulge... this is where the fun starts :-)
![Crestones peak to needle 26]()
Alex and Kristi on some exposed scrambling
![Crestones peak to needle 27]()
![Crestones peak to needle 28]()
Alex on the stiff final climb to the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 29]()
Alex on the final climb to the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 30]()
Jordan on the final climb to the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 31]()
Robby on the final climb to the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 32]()
Mike on the final climb to the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 33]()
Kristi bringing a rope up for Jim and Allison
![Crestones peak to needle 34]()
Jim enjoying the final climb to the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 35]()
Alex and Kristi just below the Needle's summit
![Crestones peak to needle 36]()
Mountain Hunk showcases his 14er Finisher Humboldt
![Crestones peak to needle 37]()
Alex and Kristi on the final scramble to the summit
![Crestones peak to needle 38]()
Kristi on the summit 2009
![Crestones peak to needle 39]()
Alex and Kristi 2009
![Crestones peak to needle 40]()
Summit Celebration L2R: Jim, Allison, Mike, Alex, Robby, Jordan, Kristi
![Crestones peak to needle 41]()
![Crestones peak to needle 42]()
Descending the Needle. Follow the carins to the left and be sure to cross over to the east gully. We initially missed the cutoff and climbed back to it.
![Crestones peak to needle 43]()
Kristi descends the Needle 2009
![Crestones peak to needle 44]()
Kristi descends the Needle 2009
![Crestones peak to needle 45]()
Jim descends the Needle with Pico Asilado in front
![Crestones peak to needle 46]()
![Crestones peak to needle 47]()
Busted!!! Robby climbing to get back on route. The Needle is a very complex mountain to descend... especially if you did not climb up the descent route.
![Crestones peak to needle 48]()
![Crestones peak to needle 49]()
Kristi taking in the views of Broken Hand Peak
![Crestones peak to needle 50]()
Crestolita, jump a little higher Senorita, come sit by my fire I just want to be your lover, ain't no liar Crestolita, you're my stone desire
![Crestones peak to needle 51]()
Humboldt, Colony Baldy and Upper South Colony Lake from Broken Hand
