Kelso Ridge

Climbed Kelso ridge with Nathaniel and Matt on a late October day. I thought that this would be the last 14er of the year - my procrastination in publishing these pictures has been fruitful because now I don't have to retract my statement. Moral of the story is that it was awesome and was not the last 14er trip of the season.

Super steep. Not for the feint of heart.

Angle number two of the first gully we traversed.

This was an unexpected hike due to the fact that we mostly traveled across the loose, steep gravel of the gullies rather than ascending them. While the surface was loosely packed at best, I have a very strong suspicion that when covered in snow, Torreys’ north face is a cruel mistress that begs to be spanked with a snowboard or skis. Mmmmhmmmhmmm!



Stock photo of Nathaniel looking pensive in the high alpine majesty. “No big deal… I just hang out here for fun.” He seems to say.



Oh look! We’ve been hiking for 4 hours and we’re that close! Doesn’t he look like he belongs in a magazine here or something?



Lower part of Dead Dog Couloir in the left background.



This picture is taken from about halfway up the ridge (13,500’). We decided that we’d stop for first lunch since it was the flattest spot we’d seen in awhile.  Although I forgot a fork, I still managed to eat most of my pasta without much problem thanks to a handy sandwich bag-turned glove.

Yes. This is the flat part.



McClellan Mountain. Looking Enticing.



Continuing up the ridge, we started to run into a bit of snow on the north side of the ridge. While it was mostly manageable, the slip factor added a certain component of… danger. This was our first Class 3 hike, so the difficulty level (from all components) was mostly a surprise. Although I never strapped on my traction, the discomfort was palpable. Good times were had by all.

Looking down one of the gullies.

This is where Matt was most intimate with the mountain. It seemed he and Mother Earth really touched in a deep and meaningful way. This may also have been the “flat and safe resting space” that made his day less fun.  This man is a trooper and a true gentleman.

I, for one, find this photo hillarious.

Even though this looks sloped, it is actually a wall. The specks of blue you see on the left are the group who ascended ahead of us. Crossing this wall involves a traverse across the face (with mostly decent handholds) and a fall of about 50 feet onto a 40 degree slope. Then, when you get to the top, you quickly realize that the 50 foot drop has turned into a 200 foot drop on either side of you! With that revelation in mind, you walk on top of the shelf to the knife edge. 

Views from the ridge.

Looking down from the ledge. In 25mph wind. I would literally rue the day that I had to be on top of this ledge in a windstorm like the Mt. Evans hike.

Matt on the knife edge being super epic and awesome. Dead Dog Couloir is the represented by the void to viewers right. The shredable mountain mistress lays on the left.

Taken sideways to show scale of the slope. I think Matt’s posture here says it all.

If you look at this slopeand don’t want to grab your winter gear, check your pulse!

I unfortunately don’t have any photos of the quartz fin that greets you on the high side of the knife edge. In order to get past this obstacle, you must stand up on top of the knife edge,then reach around its 3-foot belly and inchworm your way up on top the 15 foot long crest. From there it’s a 100 vertical foot scramble and you’re at the top of Torreys! Huzzah!

I also regrettably have no photos of the top of Grays. Let the record show that the top was pleasant, and that we enjoyed the early sunset colors from the highest point on the continental divide. The third time is the charm on this hike. I am avenged! Look forward to a summer trip up Kelso ridge at some point in the future.