A throwback and “free-solo” of my first alpine climb.

Gotta tag the state high point while I’m here right? If I ever want a taste of Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo range around the PNW, the Lost River Range is not terribly far. The peaks are bigger too!

Hesitating on the original plan to get up Mount Owen with the goal of scoping out the northern leg of the Grand Traverse. Went for an attempt the previous day and got poured on not even before leaving treeline - definitely not trying to take any chances with the conditions since the critical downclimbs are shaded. This morning I got discouraged by the flashes of lightning so I slept in, which ultimately prevented me from getting to Owen.

Finally climbed the Grand Teton, which I felt was a bit overdue. Did the most I could in the Tetons without a partner, but was still able to romp around the range to see what’s out there when I come back with better objectives.

Knocking out the fourth and last of the so called Great Fourtneer Traverses, and my last outing in Colorado this year.

Pretty unremarkable summit of Pikes Peak, although I think this 14er is over-hated. I thought it was quite a nice walk (despite the cars).

An unexpectedly smoky day, but probably the best of the so called Great Fourtneer Traverses in Colorado.

The Ouray 100 ultramarathon probably ranks as one of the hardest races in the country, clocking in at over 100 miles, ~42000 feet of vertical gain, at an average elevation of 10200 feet.

What a fun name for a mountain! Mount Sneffels stands tall among its neighbors and it really does catch your eye driving south towards Ridgway. This is the outing where I really learn Colorado is a pay to win state and I won’t apologize for saying that 😤. Beeeautiful views though.

Checking out what I think is the more boring part of the San Juans, only because it’s so isolated from all of the other interesting peaks to the east. My second so called Great Fourtneer Traverses in Colorado.

I’ve always wanted to do this ever since I saw the Mediocre Amateur video in what felt like another lifetime before the pandemic. I took the ridge direct, making it an extra long scramble 😋.

A fun scramble variation on what would normally be a slog of a route. My first taste of bomber Crestone Conglomerate rock!

The tackling the first of the so called Great Fourtneer Traverses in Colorado.

If we thought going up three separate Sawatch peaks by themselves was monotonous, how about doing three in one day 😂.

Yep this is already getting old lol. The third peak with similar mileage, views, and terrain profile, all while taking the same amount of time to summit. Although I will say that this probably had the best views of the Sawatch Peaks we’ve done, probably because there is greenery & vegetation as I’m learning.

Tackling another mediocre peak in the Sawatch Range.

Unacclimatized, sleep-deprived, and not even 2 hours after arriving to Frisco did we decide to go up Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert.

The P3 Mount Defiance loop makes a rectangular shape on Strava I’ve come to recognize from everyone doing it over the years. A perfect low-stakes day for me and Haram as he prepares and crams some last minute vert for his upcoming race.

A nice group run to see some larches in the Chiwaukum Range. I should come here more often.

A failed attempt to get up Gothic and Del Campo peaks due to time but a great outing to decompress after work.