Kit Carson Mountain (14,165)
Route: Outward Bound Couloir
Distance: 15.2 miles
Vertical: 5,320 feet
Date: May 02, 2022
Time: 16 hours
Partners: Alex Platt
Our route.
![kitcarson 1](kitcarson_small/IMG_1542.jpeg)
Finally on skis after several hours of hiking.
![kitcarson 2](kitcarson_small/IMG_1544.jpeg)
A willow thicket.
![kitcarson 3](kitcarson_small/IMG_1546.jpeg)
Alex finds a grotto.
![kitcarson 4](kitcarson_small/IMG_1547.jpeg)
Willow Lake with its impressive ice falls.
![kitcarson 5](kitcarson_small/IMG_1548.jpeg)
Closeup of the ice falls.
![kitcarson 6](kitcarson_small/IMG_1549.jpeg)
Me skinning across the lake.
![kitcarson 43](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008493_1714761404048.jpeg)
Difficult snow above the lake.
![kitcarson 7](kitcarson_small/IMG_1550.jpeg)
After 4.5 hours, our first view of Kit Carson Mountain (to left of center).
![kitcarson 8](kitcarson_small/IMG_1551.jpeg)
View from the top of the ice falls.
![kitcarson 9](kitcarson_small/IMG_1552.jpeg)
The upper basin with Columbia Point, Kit Carson Mountain, and Challenger
Point on the skyline (from left to right).
![kitcarson 10](kitcarson_small/IMG_1554.jpeg)
Surprisingly thin snow in the basin.
![kitcarson 11](kitcarson_small/IMG_1555.jpeg)
Kit Carson looms large as we pass beneath it.
![kitcarson 12](kitcarson_small/IMG_1557.jpeg)
The Outward Bound Couloir comes into view.
![kitcarson 13](kitcarson_small/IMG_1558.jpeg)
A short break before starting the real climbing.
![kitcarson 44](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008499_1714761414919.jpeg)
Wind sculpted snow on the apron.
![kitcarson 14](kitcarson_small/IMG_1559.jpeg)
Entrance to the couloir.
![kitcarson 15](kitcarson_small/IMG_1560.jpeg)
Alex sets a switchback.
![kitcarson 16](kitcarson_small/IMG_1561.jpeg)
Booting up.
![kitcarson 17](kitcarson_small/IMG_1562.jpeg)
Alex clears a steep section.
![kitcarson 18](kitcarson_small/IMG_1563.jpeg)
Top of the couloir in sight.
![kitcarson 19](kitcarson_small/IMG_1564.jpeg)
Traversing to get underneath the final headwall.
![kitcarson 20](kitcarson_small/IMG_1565.jpeg)
I'm leading the traverse.
![kitcarson 45](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008500_1714761462382.jpeg)
Nearly there.
![kitcarson 21](kitcarson_small/IMG_1566.jpeg)
Finishing the headwall.
![kitcarson 22](kitcarson_small/IMG_1568.jpeg)
Looking back at our tracks.
![kitcarson 23](kitcarson_small/IMG_1569.jpeg)
Totally different snow on the southwest aspect above the couloir.
![kitcarson 24](kitcarson_small/IMG_1570.jpeg)
The summit comes into view.
![kitcarson 25](kitcarson_small/IMG_1571.jpeg)
Climbing though a mixture of rock, snow, and ice.
![kitcarson 26](kitcarson_small/IMG_1572.jpeg)
Alex finishing the summit ridge.
![kitcarson 27](kitcarson_small/IMG_1573.jpeg)
Me reaching the summit.
![kitcarson 46](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008502_1714761475173.jpeg)
From left to right Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak.
![kitcarson 28](kitcarson_small/IMG_1575.jpeg)
Humboldt Peak at center, the Crestones to the right.
![kitcarson 29](kitcarson_small/IMG_1576.jpeg)
Challenger Point.
![kitcarson 33](kitcarson_small/IMG_1580.jpeg)
Amazing views.
![kitcarson 30](kitcarson_small/IMG_1577.jpeg)
![kitcarson 31](kitcarson_small/IMG_1578.jpeg)
![kitcarson 32](kitcarson_small/IMG_1579.jpeg)
The sand dunes and the Sierra Blanca in the distance.
![kitcarson 34](kitcarson_small/IMG_1581.jpeg)
Alex on the summit.
![kitcarson 35](kitcarson_small/IMG_1582.jpeg)
Me on the summit.
![kitcarson 47](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008505_1714761694503.jpeg)
Willow lake (at center) looks quite distant.
![kitcarson 36](kitcarson_small/IMG_1583.jpeg)
Zoom of willow lake.
![kitcarson 37](kitcarson_small/IMG_1584.jpeg)
Me skiing the southwest face.
![kitcarson 48](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008509_1714761741273.jpeg)
![kitcarson 49](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008511_1714761808801.jpeg)
![kitcarson 50](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008512_1714761817379.jpeg)
Booting back up to the col.
![kitcarson 38](kitcarson_small/IMG_1585.jpeg)
Alex riding the couloir.
![kitcarson 39](kitcarson_small/IMG_1586.jpeg)
![kitcarson 40](kitcarson_small/IMG_1587.jpeg)
![kitcarson 41](kitcarson_small/IMG_1588.jpeg)
![kitcarson 42](kitcarson_small/IMG_1589.jpeg)
Me skiing the couloir.
![kitcarson 51](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008520_1714761908449.jpeg)
![kitcarson 52](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008521_1714761922477.jpeg)
![kitcarson 53](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008522_1714761933797.jpeg)
Soft snow on the lowest skiable section on the way out.
![kitcarson 54](kitcarson_small/Resized_1000008525_1714761967604.jpeg)