Peak Condition Update | Kit Carson Peak

Peak:	Kit Carson Peak
Route:	North Ridge
Range:	Sangre de Cristo
Posted By:	ncxhjhgvbi
Date of Info:	8/5/2020
Date Posted:	8/5/2020

Details
Amazing route! Camping at the lake was almost full at 7pm on a Tuesday. Had a lot of trouble at 4:30am in the willows after the challenger/upper lake turnoff. I couldn't find the low route in the dark with my headlamp and ended up losing my phone and having to backtrack, but luckily only wasted about 20 minutes and found the phone. I gave up and went higher up above all the willows. A previous TR said that this took a lot longer, but if you can't find the lower trail it is definitely better to go higher than wallowing in the willows. The ridge was awesome and I found the climbing and route finding fun but straightforward - stay on the ridge direct or within 15 feet of it all the way to the notch. There are plenty of good holds and lots of options. TH to camp at lake: 2:40 ---- Camp to top of Kit: 2:40 +10 min break at top Kit to Challenger: 0:45 +15 min break at top Challenger to Lake: 1:40 +40 min to break camp Camp to TH: 1:55 Total moving time minus breaks (and I camped) 9:40

Details

Amazing route! Camping at the lake was almost full at 7pm on a Tuesday. Had a lot of trouble at 4:30am in the willows after the challenger/upper lake turnoff. I couldn't find the low route in the dark with my headlamp and ended up losing my phone and having to backtrack, but luckily only wasted about 20 minutes and found the phone. I gave up and went higher up above all the willows. A previous TR said that this took a lot longer, but if you can't find the lower trail it is definitely better to go higher than wallowing in the willows. The ridge was awesome and I found the climbing and route finding fun but straightforward - stay on the ridge direct or within 15 feet of it all the way to the notch. There are plenty of good holds and lots of options.

TH to camp at lake: 2:40
----
Camp to top of Kit: 2:40 +10 min break at top
Kit to Challenger: 0:45 +15 min break at top
Challenger to Lake: 1:40 +40 min to break camp
Camp to TH: 1:55

Total moving time minus breaks (and I camped) 9:40

Comments or Questions

Moogie737	Thanks 8/9/2020 8:33am I appreciate having your times listed. My partner and I are planning to do what you did (except for the lost phone, of course!) and that will help us to plan. We won't be as fast as you but your times give us beta from which to plan. Congrats on a successful climb.
Moogie737	Mosquitoes 8/9/2020 8:35am Sorry, I forgot to ask you about mosquitoes at the lake. And along the same lines is there any need for hauling in a bear canister? A month or so ago someone mentioned the possible need. Thanks.
ncxhjhgvbi	Mosquitoes 8/10/2020 6:43pm They were not too bad at all. I just brought a little bug spray for the evening. They weren't out in the morning or during the day (I heard last year was MISERABLE, so I felt lucky). I would bring the bear cannister if you have it. There are a lot of places to hang food but with RMFI doing work on the trail a lot of the lines are already taken. Cannister is just easier than worrying about hanging it.

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