Kit Carson & Challenger
Kit Carson's North Ridge - Class 4
Challenger's North Slope - Class 2
Day 1:
TH: Willow Creek
Approach to Willow Lake: 4.7m - 2700ft - 1hr 55min
Day 2:
Kit Carson's N. Ridge + Challenger: 6.5m - 3100ft - 5hrs 45min
Willow Lake Exit: 4.7m - 1hr 30min
Partner: Solo
GPX
14ers.com Page
Might have to say Kit Carson's north ridge is one of my favorite 14er routes. Similar feel to the last pitch of the Crestone Peak to Needle traverse but much longer.
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15.9m - 5800ft over 2 days
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The hike in from Willow Lake TH
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Camp just below Willow Lake
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Kristi enjoying a sunset cruise on Willow Lake
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oh... hey
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So nice... I think I will bring the canoe more often
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such a special place. taken 6 years after the previous canoe shot
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Willow Lake with Obstruction, Columbia and Kit Carson (L2R)
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Willow Lake from the East
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Eyeing Kit Carson's steep north ridge
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Looking up at the ridge. Just below Outward Bound Couloir
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The 'Adams Family' behind the ridge
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Ok... time to climb
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Mid climb view of Mount Adams
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Stay the ridge
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Looking down the ridge
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Keep on climbing
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Close to where the ridge tops out I found this little path that lead to the summit. Let's call it North Kit Carson Avenue
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Mount Adams and Willow Lake from Kit Carson's summit
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Summit Selfie
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Humboldt, Obstruction, Columbia and the Crestones
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Pano: Colony Baldy, Humboldt, Obstruction, Columbia and the Crestones
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Looking south to the Blanca Group.
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Kit Carson Avenue
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Challenger from the top of the Avenue
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Looking back up to Kit Carson from the top of the Avenue
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Columbia's class 4
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Crestone Peak from the top of the Avenue
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Looking down the Avenue to the Challenger - KC saddle
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Summit selfie on Challenger
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I was a freshman at Virginia Tech when the Challenger Disaster took place. Won't forget it.
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Looking back at the north ridge
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L2R: Obstruction, Columbia and Kit Carson
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Storms and sunsets outside of Crestone
