Another beautiful day in the San Juan mountains as Chris joined Ben and I for an ascent of Wham Ridge on Vestal peak.

Day one consisted of going over gear in the morning, hopping on the train, and hiking into Vestal basin to set up camp.

Day two was the money day. Up at 3:45 in the morning to start the hike up to the base and up we went as the sun started to rise in one of the most breathtaking sunrises I have seen this year.

Finally we reached the top only to make our way down, pack up camp, and hike out to catch the train.

Chris cruised as expected and it was a great trip.

BG

Earlier this summer we did an amazing 10 Day climbing trip in the Weminuche Wilderness. During the course of the trip we climbed Centennial 13′ers Vestal Peak via the Wham Ridge, Jagged Mountain via the North Face, Pigeon Peak via the Southwest Slopes, Turret Peak via the Western Slopes, and Jupiter Mountain via the West Face. A Centennial 13′er in Colorado is defined as any peak over 13,807 feet, and in addition to the 54 14′ers quest, the 100 highest peaks quest has become increasingly popular during the past few years. Indeed, some of the best and most inspiring climbs in Colorado are on 13′ers.

From the maps below, you can get a sense of how we accomplished this feat over the course of 10 days. Being out in the Weminuche for that length of time really gives you a sense of how remote and rugged this part of the San Juans really are. The Weminuche is a true wilderness area, with plenty of route finding and navigation required to travel between the major drainages.

We began the trip on the Colorado Trail and Elk Creek, and finished up on the Needle Creek trail. Along the way we traveled through Vestal Basin and down to Balsam Lake, along the “high traverse” to Jagged Mountain (one of the best mountain days you’ll ever experience!), up and over Jagged Col and down into the remote No Name basin, then back up and over Ruby/No Name pass into the super rugged Ruby Creek drainage, then back up and over Ruby/No Name and Twin Thumbs pass for a finish in the popular Chicago Basin.

In short it was an amazing trip with great clients (thanks Charley, Phanie, Greg, Doug, and Chris!!), and a great guide and support staff (thanks Matt, Mike, Drew, Ryan, and Alec!).

This is simply one of the most amazing trips that you can do in Colorado or the entire mountain west. We will be offering this trip again next year with some fixed date departures, so stay tuned to our website in the coming months for more information, dates, and costs!

ND

Here are some photos from a great trip with Del and Marcus into Noname Basin to climb Jagged Peak.

This is our camp at 11,400′ in Noname Basin with Knife Point in the background.

Del on Jagged Pass with Monitor, Animas Mountain and Peak 13 in the background.

A photo of Jagged peak from Jagged Pass.

Marcus on top enjoying the amazing weather.

Del on top.

It was a pleasure climbing with the two of you!

BK

Just got back from a Light and Fast Alpine Course in Vestal Basin. It was a great trip with perfect weather, and fun people.

Mike and Terri started out their four day course at East Animas with Nate. They learned about belaying, rock climbing technique, climbing knots and much more.

The next morning I met them at the train station and we were off for Vestal Basin. We were dropped off by the train at Elk Park and started our hike to camp. It’s a tough hike into Vestal Basin and both Mike and Terri did great.

We woke up to a star filled sky and started up toward Wham Ridge on Vestal Peak. As we geared up at the base of the climb the sun was rising, and then we were off. Mike and Terri must have been paying attention when Nate was talking about climbing technique, because they flew up Wham ridge. I’d give them the option of the easier way or the harder way, they always said the harder way, so I finally stopped asking and just opted for the harder lines.

The next day the train picked us up at Elk Park and shuttled us back to Durango.

Mike and Terri you both did great, I hope to see you in the future!

BK

Earlier this summer Erik Weihenmayer climbed Alpamayo via the French Direct in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca with us and Southwest Adventure Guide Rodrigo Callupe. It was the first recorded blind ascent of the mountain. Alpamayo has long been considered one of the world’s most beautiful mountains, and one of the most sought after climbs in South America. Recently, however, the “normal route” called the Ferrari Route, has been subjected to unreasonable objective dangers and has been climbed much less frequently. For this ascent, we decided on an attempt of the French Direct Route which is more difficult but provides a more direct and generally safer path to the summit. Check out the video below and congratulations Erik!!

ND