The Crestones

South Colony Lakes is one of my favorite areas in Colorado... no, the world.  With two lakes surrounded by the soaring rock cliffs of Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle, this area is breathtaking!  Adam and I had been to this are two years ago to climb Crestone and Crestone Needle.  We returned this summer to climb Humbolt, Kit Carson and Challenger, which we did in one awesomely long and memorable 13 hour day!  

First we hiked a few miles into the lakes and set up camp at a lower lake.  Bright and early we climbed up the rocky indefinite trail to a wide saddle called the "Bear's playground" area, then up the east ridge, over a few false summits to Kit Carson.  From there we dropped down through a ledge system to the saddle and the up the east ridge of Challenger.  There is a small amount of route finding and exposure involved. 

Then we retraced our steps all the way back to the Bear's playground where a ridge line connects to Humbolt.  We were pretty tired but decided to make the push.  We were rewarded by a solitary snow storm at the summit surrounded by sunshine everywhere else!

And then we got ENGAGED!!!!