Skiing No-Namers in the West Elks: Trip Report

Skiing No-Namers in the West Elks: A Short Trip Report

I think its funny how we can have mountains like this one that go unnamed and almost even unnoticed in Colorado. To me, it definitely deserves some recognition, but I think since it’s not a 14er, it simply gets a “13,407 ft” elevation marking on the topos. That’s okay with me though. I’ll still ski it.

The peak lies in the Elk Mountains, almost straight between Aspen and Crested Butte
View 13,407 ft peak in a larger map . The approach was kinda deceiving: long flats, interrupted by steep (but short) boot packs. Here’s my buddy Jesse pushing the long haul:




And damn! Should have brought the rack! Check out the Chimneys of Treasure Mountain to the right...


As we started up towards the summit, it quickly got a little too steep for good ol’ plug-along skinning. We decided to start the boot-pack upwards to the ridge but quickly got bogged down in waste deep, hollow slush. Screw that! Head for them rocks Jesse!


We gained the main ridge, which was holding firmer snow, and followed some mountain goat tracks to the summit. We were rewarded with an amazing view. It was a really unique in that you could see the Maroon Bells and Mt. Crested Butte (two familiar places that always seem so far apart from one another) at the same time. This shot is looking South towards the more familiar peaks of the area: Sopris, Capital, and Snowmass. So many lines!




Finally, time for business. Jesse droppin’ ‘er in.




Conditions were great! Two inches of corn on top of firm, stable and consistent snow. Super fun skiing all the way down. The discrepancy between the 5 hour (grueling) ascent and the 2 hour (hell yeah, this is awesome) decent always amazes me...

Finally, back at 9,000 feet, the crux of the whole trip. Log crossing on haggard legs over the raging Crystal River. Should of brought the PFDs.




So that’s it. One of the most memorable trips in awhile. Just because it’s not named on the map doesn’t mean it’s not worth skiing! Get out and charge it!

Need some gear recommendations? This will help you shred for sure! Check it:
Black Diamond NEVE PRO Crampons: Super lightweight crampons that will fit your AT/Tele boots perfectly! No way!

Grivel AIR TECH RACING GA Axe: Need just a little extra security on those 5:00am couliour slogs? Grab this and go! Super lightweight (14.1 oz!) and total full-strength shred!

Black Diamond Whippet Self-Arrest Ski Pole--Lets face it. Skiing can be scary. Get a little boost of confidence knowing you have one of these guys ready to go when you drop in above 200 feet of death.

Patagonia STRETCH ASCENT JACKET--Everyone needs a bomb-proof go-to shell. Well, this is it. Super breathable and also: rain-proof, wind-proof, snow-proof, ice-proof rock-abrasion-proof. Hell, isn’t this thing lightning-proof? That’d be sweet.

Patagonia Men's NANO PUFF JACKET--A really warm, lightweight , compressible, insulating jacket. Literally stuffs down to the size of a grapefruit.

Dale’s Pale Ale (x4)--Great Beer + Can =  Genius! Tell me again why we don’t sell this stuff online?

Shred hard,

Fingers