Foto ©1999 by John C. Maki
Torreys Peak, Front Range 14,267'
Kelso Ridge (descent South Slopes) II, Class 3
From Stevens Gulch Trailhead: 7 miles/3040'
September, 1998
Did this one solo in September 1998. This is what made me determined to learn something about rope handling in rock climbing. I decided to forgo the easy route and take the Kelso Ridge route. Lots of fun, 3rd class scrambling over several small towers. There was a little snow and ice on the shady parts, so I think if I was going to do this route again I'd go in August. No real problems until I was close to the top - didn't know I was close yet, couldn't see the top because of fog/snow. There was a steep wall in front of me, so I decided to traverse around the left side and scramble up a couloir. The couloir was full of loose rock/dirt with a snow topping. Nice. Once I got in I was committed, so I literally clawed my way through the tough part and got on top of the wall. Then I was just a few feet from the summit.
Whew! I had my cell phone, so I called
Donna, then I called Dad, who suggested I call Grandma in Negaunee, in
the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so I did. Neat talking to people
from a 14,000+' mountaintop. I was going to go down the saddle and
up to Gray's Peak, since I was that close, but at the saddle I decided
just to take the easy way down and not push it. Not sure how I would
have protected myself with a rope solo, but at least I could have used
it to get out if I got stuck. Hmmm...