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Summit Peak 13300
Montezuma Peak 13150
The Unicorn 13020
Long Trek Mountain 12866
North Mountain 12754
Unnamed 12568
Unnamed 12550
Unnamed 12498
July 14-15
Monsoon season in the South San Juan's was an interesting experience, never have I experienced so much weird weather. My friends Alex and Andrew accompanied me in camping, they didn't have much interest in climbing peaks. We found a cool spot near Elwood Pass for the first night, soon after the tent went up we saw lighting about a quarter mile away. Our first of many storms commenced.
I woke up early and admired the sunrise over Lookout Mountain, I have to come back for that one. I was on the trail by 5:50, I scared a heard of elk on my way up the east slopes of 12498, I summited at 6:45 and heard my friends hollering. Not one to waste time I hurried over to 12550, I found a grass and talus gully which led down the north slope where I intercepted a game trail which took me to the saddle with 12550. Up I went and where I scared some peak-bagging elk, these 12ers are sure getting crowded.
Many more peaks were on my agenda for the day so I jogged down the grassy slopes and followed the CDT to a grassy break in long trek's east slopes. Up I went, some bucks hovered over me before deciding it was time to leave. The east ridge held some interesting rock formations so I descended that way where a coyote took off running. I took the most direct route back to my car which was in hindsight not the best idea, there were a lot of bogs and shoes stealing mud.
Part two of my Monday romp took me up to summitville. North Mountain is a quick hike from the road, the weather held long enough for me to tag 12568, another grassy summit typical of this area of the San Juan's. By the time I reached my car I had to abandon my attempt of south mountain and Cropsy because storms be a brewing.
We moved camp to treasure creek where we were promptly rained and hailed on.
Tuesday morning held gloom in the air, a thick fog settled over the mountains. I thought maybe I could climb over the fog. I was wrong. I followed the trail past treasure creek falls and took a direct line to montezuma's east ridge. The bush whacking soaked my pants a shoes. Once on the ridge the view was a bit underwhelming. I could see 100 feet. Not deterred by the low visibility I pressed on, somehow finding the summit of Montezuma. The Unicorn was not difficult to find either. I will have to come back to actually get the views. The CDT guided me to summit peak's east ridge. There was still considerable snow covering the trail, at times I could not see the trail on the other side. Once at the east ridge I took a direct line up, I can't recommend this because it leads through steep loose terrain. My summit stay was short because I was chilled to the bone by the wind. I decided to head down and abandon my attempts at any more peaks.
The descent was uneventful except for when I tried to take off my pack to refuel. I couldn't unbuckle my pack because my hands were so cold they lost all dexterity. The sun finally came out when I got back to camp. That didn't last long, storms rolled in within an hour.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
The eastern Weminuche, I went backpacking there in 2009 and went almost three days without seeing another person not in my party. The wildlife there seemed more curious than afraid of our existence. A moose wandered to the creek by our campsite and seemed unperturbed by our proximity.
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