Location: North 38.88329, West 106.94357 (GPS at the summit)
Colorado, USA
Difficulty: YDS class 2
Climbed: April 1, 2016
Information:
How to get there: This mountain is the
highest point in the ski area called
Crested Butte. It is an easy ascent, particularly if one makes use
of the skilifts. Crested Butte is located about 30 miles north of
Gunnison. The ski area itself is about 2 miles past the town of
Crested Butte. There is a large parking area in the middle of the
ski village, winter parking is 10 dollars for a day.
Route description:
In winter, te easiest route is by ski-lift. As you exit from
the ticket office, bear right and you will see two chairlifts that
serve the base area. take the rightmost of these. This is a long lift
that gains a lot of elevation. From the top of this lift, ski a bit downhill
keeping as far right as you can. This will get you to the lower station of
a T-bar lift. Take this to its end station.
You have a small hill between you and the mountain. When facing Crested Butte,
ski left and contour around this small hill in order to reach a col. From here,
contour left to reach the lower end of the south ridge. Hike up this ridge to
the summit.
If conditions are favorable, on may ski from very near the summit and
directly down the face that ends back down near the col.
Comments:
We arrived here the evening before and checked in at Cristiana Guesthaus, a very
nice and cozy place - highly recommended. As almost all such ski-area places, an
outdoor hot tub with a
nice view of the local peak. The place also had a good
sauna, Scandinavian style - approved!
We took the two lifts, then skied around to the col. Pål carried his
telemark skis to the summit while I left my skis below. The ascent was easy and straightforward.
Pål went on to ski off the top cornice
and make his way down as
the first skier
of the day. The slope is steep and some
care was needed due to
rocks further down. I enjoyed the good view,
a birds view of the town, as well as good
views across to nearby mountains. We had
skied to the summit of Whetstone mountain
yesterday, a very nice wilderness ski.
