Crestone Needle, South Face

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skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
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Crestone Needle, South Face

Post by skykilo »

Another missive from the land where we carry skis on alpine objectives for sheer entertainment regardless of practical considerations....

The South Face of Crestone Needle is an attractive nuisance.
crestone-needle, crestoneneedle
We were able to ski continuously from the summit ridge until the two cascades of water ice.

I did not do my homework. We made an extracurricular trip to the zone, armed with a low-resolution map, sleep deprivation and poor judgement; we skied an obscure line from a ~13,800-ft col between Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle.

Team Gaper on the first attempt, with our new official matching visors and two pairs of TLT5 boots.
Image
One of Micah's locking buckles broke on the first attempt. One of mine broke at the end of the day yesterday. Dang.

The line was still worthy
crestone-needle, neato

Freak out!
crestone-needle, gapetastic

High-quality slop
crestone-needle, shmoove

This place needs more shots of my ASS. Climbing Pale Face, a quality 5.11c in Diablo Canyon.
Image

To the main attraction: there is a nice bypass to skip the lower unskiable BS on Crestone Needle. Naomi makes the traverse in her ski boots.
crestone-needle, traverse

The cascades of water ice were easily avoided by scrambling.
crestone-needle, aroundice

Naomi, first time on crampons, using her front points
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Crestone Peak and Kit Carson from the summit
crestone-needle, crestonekitcarson

The light was not so good, but the skiing from the top was quite good.
crestone-needle, skyhigh

After a fair bit of sidestepping, with one stimulating spot of narrow water ice in a choke, we had the privilege to shred in a special place.
crestone-needle, naomiski1

The skiing was pure creamy goodness.
crestone-needle, naomiski2

An easy downclimb, the traverse in reverse, then epic creamy corn was harvested to Cottonwood Lake.

BONUS: Patrick at the crux during his on-sight ascent of Techweenie, 5.11+, Tres Piedras
crestone-needle, ptechweenie

A random insertion of my steeze
crestone-needle, skysteeze

Next weekend? Yes? Amen.
crestone-needle, yes

naomig
naomig

Re: Crestone Needle, South Face

Post by naomig »

This month visiting Sky was just fun. Sky cracks me up and I crack myself up. Crestone Needle was awesome to ski.

It'll be an exciting week to find out what job Sky will take. The offers are coming this week!

PeteH

Re: Crestone Needle, South Face

Post by PeteH »

What job will Sky take?

Male model fashonista? CIA agent? Existential stunt double?

Charlie

Re: Crestone Needle, South Face

Post by Charlie »

Awesome. That line's thin this year!

What's next? Wetterhorn's E face holding any snow?

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skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
Contact:

Re: Crestone Needle, South Face

Post by skykilo »

What a difference a week made!
crestone-needle, needle

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