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 Atop Rito Alto Peak, with the Northern Sangre 14ers out to the left, and the Blanca group, in the distance behind. Looking out from the summit of Tijeras Peak the weekend prior, we wondered what the northern end of the 75-mile, snake-like ridge that makes up the Sangres was like. So we decided to make the trip down here for a second weekend in a row, to go check it out.
This time, we approached from the west, via the San Luis valley, opting to tag some summits as part of a long trail run/ hike outing. We headed up towards Rito Alto Peak, 13,794 ft., the 110th tallest mountain in the state, along the trail and past the lake that bears its name. We gained the ridge at Hermit Pass, on the spine of the Sangres. An easy hike north put us on Rito Alto’s summit, after which we descended and scampered up Hermit Peak, 13,350 ft., the adjacent peak on the ridge south of the pass. read more>>>
 Looking northwest from the summit. The Crestones on the left, Humboldt to the right, Milwaukee and Pico Asilado are below in the foreground. Click to enlarge. It’s been a little while since we made a trip to the Sangre de Cristos. More than two years ago, when Christy was making a push to finish skiing all the 14ers, we headed down to this range for seven weekends in a row, when a huge upslope storm buried the range in snow. After that effort, I guess we had a little Sangre fatigue, and we did things elsewhere. Before we knew it, two years had passed since that spring skiing spree, and nearly four years since we made a summer weekend down there.
So when we decided to go on a mellow camping trip, the notion of heading down to the Sangres had some appeal, not only due to the fact that read more>>>
 Clicked in atop Capitol but not out of the woods yet. Click any pic to enlarge. So Christy pulled it off, and what a finish it was. And not simply due to the fact that her final peak was Capitol, considered by my many to be the most committing ski descent of all the 14ers, but in the various challenges that presented themselves this past season. It may have appeared as though it all fell right into place, but in reality there were several occasions when it looked like Christy might not wrap it up this year.
During the fall of 2009, with winter right around the corner, Christy and I began to talk about our goals for the next season. Among other things on her extra long list, she was really hoping to wrap up her own “Ski the 14ers” project. She had nine peaks left: Sneffles, San Luis, Holy Cross, Little Bear, Pikes, El Diente, Mt. Wilson, Pyramid and Capitol. A stout list for sure, but also a reasonable number to do in a season. But when we began to consider other things– a two week trip to Greenland planned for spring, another Elk Mountains Grand Traverse in March, Christy’s nordic goals, and both of our work schedules– Christy realized that in order to have the best chances of finishing this season, she should start on her list as soon as was safely possible. At a cost to other activities, (i.e. winter tennis league, sewing projects) she decided to make skiing these peaks a priority, and as her partner through it, I thought I’d share my take on Christy’s Homestretch. read more>>>
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On May 16, 2010, with a ski descent of Capitol Peak’s east face, I completed my goal of skiing the 54 Colorado 14,000-foot mountains (aka 14ers). While the root of the project can be traced back 10 years when, as a relative novice with a ready smile, I skied my first 14er, Quandary Peak, it eventually evolved into something bigger than I ever could’ve imagined back then. And so somewhere along the way, it occurred to me: I wanted to ski them all — something no woman had ever done, and something I learned more about during my husband (and best friend and best skiing/climbing partner) Ted’s own Ski the 14ers Project, which he completed in April 2008.
The journey surpassed my expectations. I experienced everything from epic, bluebird powder days to bone chilling winds and less than desirable snow conditions. I trekked around the state to trailheads and mountaintops, and sometimes re-trekked those same routes when the actual “mountain top” eluded me. I switched from tele boards to alpine touring gear and once shoveled snow where there was none on a summit in order to ski it — all the while reaffirming my love for the mountains a thousand times over.
Below are some details of my 14ers project with dates, routes, partners and slideshows for each peak. read more>>>
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 As seen from KC the weekend prior(click all pics to enlarge)
As we topped out on Kit Carson’s summit last week, the ordinarily awesome view to the east looked even more impressive than usual. Across the valley, the North Couloir on Crestone Peak had collected a good amount of snow and, at first glance, appeared to be in skiable condition. When gazing upon this route in the past it has always appeared too rocky and lean to be safe, much less fun. Others agree, including Lou Dawson who wrote in his book,”if this couloir ever filled up with snow it could be a classic….” So I decided I should give the photos a closer look when I get home. read more>>>
 Two weeks ago we were stymied by deep snow on a ski attempt of Kit Carson Peak. Personally, I don’t consider turning back at Willow Lake a true ‘attempt’ on the mountain as we didn’t even make it to within sight of the peak, but that said, we were there with that goal in mind, so an attempt on Kit carson is what I’ll call it.
Allowing a week for the new snow to settle a bit, Christy and I decided to get right back on the horse. We figured since we had already did the hard work breaking the trail the week prior we’d be foolish not to. So seven days later at we were at the trailhead again in the dark, ready to make the trip back read more>>>
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