Sunlight Peak (14,059),
Windom Peak (14,082),
Mt. Eolus (14,083),
N. Mt. Eolus (14,045)
Weminuche Wilderness
Route: Train from Silverton to Needleton, hike/ski to Chicago Basin,
then
East Ramp/South Face of Sunlight,
Northwest Face of Windom,
West Face/East Couloir of Eolus,
East Face of N. Eolus
Distance: 28 miles total
Vertical: 11,000 feet total
Date: May 12-15, 2016
East ramp/south face route on Sunlight. Descent track is in red, ascent
is in blue where different from ascent.
![route 1](Cbasin_small/sunlightRoute.JPG)
Northwest face descent route on Windom. Ascent is via the west ridge.
![route 2](Cbasin_small/windomRoute.JPG)
Routes on Mt. Eolus and North Eolus. The southeast ridge ascent route
from the top of the couloir as well as the west face descent route are
not visibile in this view.
![route 3](Cbasin_small/eolusRoutes.JPG)
Day 1 - Silverton to Chicago Basin
Train ride along the Animas River.
![Cbasin 1](Cbasin_small/cbasin001s.JPG)
The Train stop at Needleton.
![Cbasin 2](Cbasin_small/cbasin002s.JPG)
We started hiking at 4:00 PM and thus did not spend much time
taking photos during the hike up Needle Creek. Here are just a
couple scenery shots.
![Cbasin 2a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2037.JPG)
![Cbasin 2a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2058.JPG)
Day 2 - Chicago Basin to Sunlight and Windom Peaks
and return to Chicago Basin
Working toward upper Chicago Basin at first light.
![Cbasin 3](Cbasin_small/cbasin003s.JPG)
Eolus and N Eolus as seen from Twin Lakes.
![Cbasin 4](Cbasin_small/cbasin004s.JPG)
Sunhit on the peaks across the valley.
![Cbasin 5](Cbasin_small/cbasin005s.JPG)
Starting up Sunlight.
![Cbasin 6](Cbasin_small/cbasin006s.JPG)
![Cbasin 8](Cbasin_small/cbasin008s.JPG)
![Cbasin 9](Cbasin_small/cbasin009s.JPG)
![Cbasin 10](Cbasin_small/cbasin010s.JPG)
The Keyhole provides access to the east ramp.
![Cbasin 11](Cbasin_small/cbasin011s.JPG)
Brad works his way across the ramp.
![Cbasin 13](Cbasin_small/cbasin013s.JPG)
![Cbasin 12](Cbasin_small/cbasin012s.JPG)
The entirety of the short distance from the keyhole to the summit is a
no-fall zone.
![Cbasin 14](Cbasin_small/cbasin014s.JPG)
I work up the ramp as the Sunlight Spire, the connecting ridge, and the
Northwest face of Windom look on.
![Cbasin 14a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2038.JPG)
Brad on Sunlight Summit.
![Cbasin 15](Cbasin_small/cbasin015s.JPG)
Looking across Upper Chicago Basin at Eolus and N Eolus.
![Cbasin 16](Cbasin_small/cbasin016s.JPG)
Northwest face of Windom again.
![Cbasin 17](Cbasin_small/cbasin017s.JPG)
The next several pictures form a panorama from the summit.
![Cbasin 18](Cbasin_small/cbasin018s.JPG)
![Cbasin 19](Cbasin_small/cbasin019s.JPG)
![Cbasin 20](Cbasin_small/cbasin020s.JPG)
![Cbasin 21](Cbasin_small/cbasin021s.JPG)
![Cbasin 22](Cbasin_small/cbasin022s.JPG)
![Cbasin 23](Cbasin_small/cbasin023s.JPG)
![Cbasin 24](Cbasin_small/cbasin024s.JPG)
Brad preparing to ski.
![Cbasin 25](Cbasin_small/cbasin025s.JPG)
Me "skiing" the East Ramp.
![Cbasin 25a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2039.JPG)
Back at the keyhole. It was possible to pass through with the skis on.
![Cbasin 26](Cbasin_small/cbasin026s.JPG)
![Cbasin 26a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2044.JPG)
The south face.
![Cbasin 27](Cbasin_small/cbasin027s.JPG)
![Cbasin 28](Cbasin_small/cbasin028s.JPG)
Looking back at the south face.
![Cbasin 29](Cbasin_small/cbasin029s.JPG)
Starting up Windom.
![Cbasin 30](Cbasin_small/cbasin030s.JPG)
Approaching the west ridge.
![Cbasin 31](Cbasin_small/cbasin031s.JPG)
Looking back at Sunlight.
![Cbasin 32](Cbasin_small/cbasin032s.JPG)
Zoom of Sunlight's south face. Our ski tracks are faintly visible.
![Cbasin 33](Cbasin_small/cbasin033s.JPG)
Working up Windom's west ridge.
![Cbasin 34](Cbasin_small/cbasin034s.JPG)
Summit photos.
![Cbasin 35](Cbasin_small/cbasin035s.JPG)
![Cbasin 36a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2046.JPG)
Looking back into Lower Chicago Basin (the dark forested area).
![Cbasin 37](Cbasin_small/cbasin037s.JPG)
Eolus and N. Eolus.
![Cbasin 38](Cbasin_small/cbasin038s.JPG)
Views.
![Cbasin 39](Cbasin_small/cbasin039s.JPG)
Zoom of Sunlight showing the East Ramp and the South Face.
![Cbasin 40](Cbasin_small/cbasin040s.JPG)
Me starting down Windom's Northwest Face.
![Cbasin 40a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2050.JPG)
And finishing on the apron.
![Cbasin 40b](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2051.JPG)
Heading back toward Twin Lakes.
![Cbasin 41](Cbasin_small/cbasin041s.JPG)
Another view of Sunlight.
![Cbasin 42](Cbasin_small/cbasin042s.JPG)
Relaxing back at camp.
![Cbasin 42a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2054.JPG)
![Cbasin 42b](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2056.JPG)
Day 3 - Chicago Basin to Mt. Eolus and N. Mt. Eolus,
return to Chicago Basin, and then move camp lower into Needle Creek Canyon.
Mt. Eolus at sunrise.
![Cbasin 43](Cbasin_small/cbasin043s.JPG)
![Cbasin 44](Cbasin_small/cbasin044s.JPG)
Entering the amphitheatre.
![Cbasin 45](Cbasin_small/cbasin045s.JPG)
The track leads to the East Couloir.
![Cbasin 46](Cbasin_small/cbasin046s.JPG)
![Cbasin 47](Cbasin_small/cbasin047s.JPG)
Avalanche debris.
![Cbasin 48](Cbasin_small/cbasin048s.JPG)
Looking back down.
![Cbasin 49](Cbasin_small/cbasin049s.JPG)
Me climbing the couloir.
![Cbasin 49a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2060.JPG)
Me Traversing toward the summit.
![Cbasin 49b](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2061.JPG)
Brad leading the way.
![Cbasin 50](Cbasin_small/cbasin050s.JPG)
Views from the summit.
![Cbasin 51](Cbasin_small/cbasin051s.JPG)
Windom and Sunlight across the valley.
![Cbasin 52](Cbasin_small/cbasin052s.JPG)
Looking down into the amphitheatre.
![Cbasin 53](Cbasin_small/cbasin053s.JPG)
![Cbasin 54](Cbasin_small/cbasin054s.JPG)
![Cbasin 55](Cbasin_small/cbasin055s.JPG)
![Cbasin 56](Cbasin_small/cbasin056s.JPG)
![Cbasin 57](Cbasin_small/cbasin057s.JPG)
![Cbasin 58](Cbasin_small/cbasin058s.JPG)
![Cbasin 59](Cbasin_small/cbasin059s.JPG)
Zoom of Windom and Sunlight.
![Cbasin 60a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2062.JPG)
![Cbasin 61](Cbasin_small/cbasin061s.JPG)
Brad starting down the west face.
![Cbasin 62](Cbasin_small/cbasin062s.JPG)
Looking back at the west face route.
![Cbasin 63](Cbasin_small/cbasin063s.JPG)
Booting back up to the col.
![Cbasin 64](Cbasin_small/cbasin064s.JPG)
Skiing the east couloir.
![Cbasin 65](Cbasin_small/cbasin065s.JPG)
![Cbasin 65a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2063.JPG)
Traversing towards N. Eolus.
![Cbasin 66](Cbasin_small/cbasin066s.JPG)
Looking back at the couloir.
![Cbasin 68](Cbasin_small/cbasin068s.JPG)
![Cbasin 68a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2064.JPG)
N. Eolus coming into view.
![Cbasin 69](Cbasin_small/cbasin069s.JPG)
Snow shedding from Eolus.
![Cbasin 70](Cbasin_small/cbasin070s.JPG)
Climbing N. Eolus.
![Cbasin 72](Cbasin_small/cbasin072s.JPG)
![Cbasin 73](Cbasin_small/cbasin073s.JPG)
![Cbasin 74](Cbasin_small/cbasin074s.JPG)
Brad finishes the climb with Eolus behind.
![Cbasin 75](Cbasin_small/cbasin075s.JPG)
![Cbasin 76](Cbasin_small/cbasin076s.JPG)
Skiing.
![Cbasin 77](Cbasin_small/cbasin077s.JPG)
![Cbasin 78](Cbasin_small/cbasin078s.JPG)
![Cbasin 79](Cbasin_small/cbasin079s.JPG)
Returning to camp.
![Cbasin 80](Cbasin_small/cbasin080s.JPG)
![Cbasin 80a](Cbasin_brad_small/IMG_2065.JPG)
Departing for a lower camp.
![Cbasin 81](Cbasin_small/cbasin081s.JPG)
Snowline was about 10,000 feet.
![Cbasin 82](Cbasin_small/cbasin082s.JPG)
Day 4 - Needle Creek to Silverton.
Needle Creek.
![Cbasin 83](Cbasin_small/cbasin083s.JPG)
![Cbasin 84](Cbasin_small/cbasin084s.JPG)
Train approaching the stop at Needleton.
![Cbasin 85](Cbasin_small/cbasin085s.JPG)