Naa Ohn Kara

"Where blue water meets the sky...."

Naa Ohn Kara is the original name of the Gore Range, given by the Nuntzi Tribe of the Utes. It's also the name of what might be Colorado's most stunning point-to-point excursion. This traverse, probably the hardest in the state, crosses the entire range along a single ridge that runs from Eagle's Nest all the way to Buffalo Mountain. The line is consistent, elegant, and downright heinous. Expect around 35 miles of very consistent Class 3-5 climbing and over 25,000 feet of elevation gain along the way. There are only a few sections on the ridge where one could truly say it's "easy walking."

Ben Dewey and Chris Dewey may have been the first to complete the line in a continuous fashion- climbing it in a single four day push after several unsuccessful attempts. The following beta is their vision, and from my understanding, this has yet to see a repeat in a faster time (if at all). 

The traverse can be done in either direction, but the brothers started at Surprise TH and ended at Buffalo Mountain TH, summiting the following peaks along the way:

• Eagle's Nest
• Mt. Powell
• Peak C
• Peak C Prime
• Peak D
• Peak E
• Peak F
• Peak G
• Black Benchmark
• Peak H
• Peak J
• Peak P
• West Partner Peak
• East Partner Peak
• Vista Peak
• Mt. Solitude 
• Climber's Point
• North Traverse Peak
• Grand Traverse Peak
• Palomino Point
• Mt. Valhalla
• Sleet Peak
• Hail Peak
• Mt. Silverthorne
• Red Peak
• Eccles Peak
• Buffalo Mountain

The duo summited every peak with either 300 feet of prominence or above 13,000 feet in elevation. The natural and logical challenge would be to stay extremely ridge proper throughout. By lowering the prominence threshold to 100 feet, this would include several obvious features like the Zodiac Traverse and Rockinghorse; undoubtedly adding an order of difficulty. It's possible to do the route unsupported because of the many high lakes passed along the way and the amount of snow the range often holds. Please remember that this range is special to CO, with minimal trails, information, and traffic. Bailing off these mountains is long and dangerous. If you decide to attempt the Naa Ohn Kara, allow the ridge to become your rhythm, and treat these sacred features with the utmost respect.

Look at the entire Gore Range, and there ya go.

Alpinist speed, food, and warmth. Maybe a rope and a rack....