UN 13,803 and UN 13,550 (near Castle Peak)

June 26-27, 1999

We accessed these peaks from the Crested Butte side via the Pearl Pass 4-wheel drive road which was open past the Cumberland Basin switchback. We backpacked in about 2 miles into the basin. The trail is fairly overgrown with willows but provides good access into the upper basin. This basin east of UN 13,803' still had a lot of snow. The snowfield up to the col just west of the peak provided a good snowclimb and glissade. We climbed UN 13,550' by traversing across snow unto the east ridge and following that to the top.

John Raich
Fort Collins Group

Other Information

• What to Bring on a Hike
• Safety And Survival
• There's Weather Out There
• Learning Safety Through the Experience of Others
• The Leave No Trace: Skills & Ethics: Rocky Mountains A must read for every backcountry user!

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