Follow the
Challenger Point - North Slope Route to the summit of Challenger. From Challenger, you can't miss Kit Carson -
1 and
2. Descend east to the small, 13,800-foot saddle
between Challenger and Kit Carson (
3) and climb onto a Class 2 ledge called Kit Carson Avenue that runs south along the side of the peak. Continue up the avenue (
4) to reach a small, 13,960-foot saddle between Kit Carson and a large fin called The Prow -
5.
From here you can see the next part of the hike - a longer section of the Avenue which descends east -
6. Hike down the Avenue and pass through a wide notch -
7.
8 looks back on the upper half of the Avenue. Your next goal is to locate the entry point into a broad gully which leads toward the summit ridge, before a rock rib, near the saddle between Kit Carson and Columbia Point -
9,
10 and
11. Near 13,650', Turn left
into the wide, shallow gully -
12 and
13. STOP! Before you leave the Avenue, look around and become familiar with the area so you know how to return to the Avenue on your descent.
From here, it's approximately 450 feet to the summit. Hike up the center of the gully (
13) on mostly Difficult Class 2 terrain. If the terrain seems very steep, you may have left Kit Carson Avenue too early.
14 shows the terrain above the Avenue. As you climb higher in the gully, you will likely encounter a few sections of easy Class 3. Look for brief trail sections and small cairns as you take the easiest path up the center -
15. As you approach the ridge crest, angle left and pass through some final rock-outcroppings -
16. Near 14,000' the terrain opens up and the summit is up to the left -
17. Continue to the summit ridge (
18 and
19) and over to the summit
-
20,
21 and
22. Taken from Crestone Peak,
23 shows the upper route.
Via Challenger Point
(WINTER) HOLD ON! If you don't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner. All 14er routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter.
