South Couloir, winter.

All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > Sangre de Crist… > Crestones > Prow (Kit Carson) (5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R)

South Couloir, winter.

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A view from the top of P3 or so gives a sense of the exposure.

A view from the meadow at treeline (a common camping spot) looking up at our approach and descent lines. There are many options. This seemed the most direct from where we camped.

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dancesatmoonrise

Apr 24, 2013

“South Couloir, winter.”

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Nearby Photos

The Prow, February 3, 2013.

Heading up pitch one, above the crux. George is going right after the roof which is a bit steeper. I've always gone left at the huge, white cobble above the roof. July, 2010.

Kit Carson, seen from Challenger Point, February 3, 2013.

Looking back at the large "Dr. Seuss" gendarme on our third pitch of the route. July, 2010.

The Prow's west face as seen from the Spanish Creek approach.

The second pitch, which begins with a short boulder problem. Warren only placed one RP between where he is now and the fixed piece, about 40' higher.

Exposure on The Prow.
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Photo credit: Brian Carver.

Near head on view of The Prow from the south.

I believe this is the 'bulge' that is mentioned in several comments. This belay was the end of our third pitch.

South Couloir, Kit Carson, winter 2013.

The Avenue in winter.

The prow as viewed from near the end of the approach. The red arrow points to a climber in the party ahead of us free soloing the pitch before the crux.

Aaron Wait (and a nearly hidden Stephen Schmid).

Road to Crestone.

The start of the Prow's technical climbing. The 5.8 roof start is in the dark, overhanging rock in the bottom of the photo (not completely visible). July, 2010.

The big thumb on the ridge.

The west side of The Prow from the approach.

The first part of the crux pitch. At this point or a little higher you want to traverse to the right. This pitch is by far the steepest on the entire climb (probably 60-70 degrees overall).

The top of our 3rd pitch, with the top of the first step visible below.

The final pitches to the summit after Kit Carson Ave. Highly recommended!

We chose to rope up for this pitch before the crux pitch.

Tamara ready to tackle P3.

Listen to the warnings regarding bug-spray!!!

An aerial screenshot from a video. Note the small "towers" throughout the route - all are downclimbable or easy traversing to move the belay.

The final few feet of the climb, taken just 100' from the summit. You can see the entire lower Prow in the sun on the left side of the photo.

Nearing Kit Carson Avenue, which is the ramp rising from the lower right corner of the photo. The actual summit is on the right side of the photo.

Looking back at the topout of The Prow when standing on KC Avenue.

Looking up at the final "extra credit" pitch after The Prow. This takes you to the summit. A great 5.6 with decent gear.

This is an example of the very green approach. Beautiful to look at, but watch out for mosquitos during the hot Summer day!

The Prow on Kit Carson from above.

Mark Sokol traversing on The Prow after the first gendarme.

A view from the top of P3 or so gives a sense of the exposure.

South Couloir, winter.

A view from the meadow at treeline (a common camping spot) looking up at our approach and descent lines. There are many options. This seemed the most direct from where we camped.

The crux of the approach, where you must step over several hundred downed trees in a burned area. The Prow lurks in the background.

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