Crestone Needle (14,196), Humboldt Peak (14,068)
Route: From S. Colony Trailhead
Distance: 14.3 miles
Vertical: 8,230 feet
Date: May 6-9, 2023
Partners: Solo
Sangre de Cristo Range as seen from the town of Westcliffe
Skiing up towards S. Colony Lake with a view of the ski route on Humbold Peak.
S. Colony Lake, Broken Hand Pass and the Crestone Needle just after sunrise.
Half way up Broken Hand Pass.
View of Humboldt Peak and S. Colony Lake from the pass.
The ski route on Crestone Needle starting to come into view.
Looking back toward Broken Hand pass.
Looking up the S. Couloir.
Looking back down.
View from my turn around spot.
Looking down from the turn around.
Looking back at the Needle on the exit.
Top of the ski line back down to S. Colony Lake. A party of two had skied it the day prior.
Lower on the descent.
Back at camp.
My gear all loaded up the next morning.
Bottom of the Humboldt Peak route.
Ice falls just below treeline.
Above the ice falls at dawn the next morning.
Looking back down at treeline.
Looking up the route.
Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak from the Humboldt summit.
Broken Hand Pass and S. Colony Lake.
Looking down the ski route.
Looking back up from about half way down.
Lower portion of the ski run.
Looking up from near treeline.
Forested section lower down.
Packing up.
