Peak Condition Update | Kit Carson Peak

Peak:	Kit Carson Peak
Route:	Via Challenger Point
Range:	Sangre de Cristo
Posted By:	Exiled Michigander
Date of Info:	6/10/2011
Date Posted:	6/11/2011

Details
Kit Carson via Outward Bound Couloir or Challenger Point is still not a safe option due to heavy snow on Kit Carson Avenue. Image 1 shows Outward Bound couloir--still a lot of snow, but the snow conditions deteriorate VERY quickly once the sun starts shining. Images 2 through 4 show the snow on Kit Carson Avenue. These were taken both from the summit of Challenger and the Challenger-Carson saddle. Might be another couple of weeks before Kit Carson Avenue is safely passable.

Details

Kit Carson via Outward Bound Couloir or Challenger Point is still not a safe option due to heavy snow on Kit Carson Avenue. Image 1 shows Outward Bound couloir--still a lot of snow, but the snow conditions deteriorate VERY quickly once the sun starts shining. Images 2 through 4 show the snow on Kit Carson Avenue. These were taken both from the summit of Challenger and the Challenger-Carson saddle. Might be another couple of weeks before Kit Carson Avenue is safely passable.

Comments or Questions

Exiled Michigander	Wrong Couloir Name 6/12/2011 4:13pm FYI, I got the names of my couloirs confused in the condition update above (still can't figure out how to edit these!). What I refer to as Outward Bound couloir above is actually the Kirk couloir. I do have a few photos of the Outward Bound couloir as well--PM me if you'd like me to send them to you. Outward Bound, which leads up to the Columbia-Carson saddle rather than the Challenger-Carson saddle, still has a lot of snow in it, but I'm not sure if the snow is in good shape for climbing or not. If the snow is stable, Outward Bound might be another possibility for summitting Carson from Willow Lake, since I believe it avoids the snowy section of Kit Carson Avenue.
stevevets689	The OB 6/12/2011 11:54pm Definitely skirts the avenue so that's potentially a safe bet depending on snow coverage and condition. As a north-facing couloir, it should be pretty slow to warm up. You can ascend the east ridge proper to the summit from the Kit Carson/Columbia saddle (class 3). Probably the route of choice on Kit right now. Descend via your ascent, and DON'T GLISSADE HERE

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