I've been looking through photos and thinking about places I saw on last summer's 26-day Wind River traverse, and I have some objectives in mind for this summer. There's no way I'll get to even half of them (one or two would be likely), but I wanted to see if anyone is planning a Winds adventure trip and is looking for another group member or might want to attempt one of these objectives with me. I might also decide to solo something. Basically, I'm just putting out feelers to see if anyone is interested in some harder, more obscure, adventure-oriented peak climbing in the Winds this summer. I know the Winds better than the back of my hand and by mid-summer should be capable of switching leads on <5.6ish multi-pitch rock. I'm confident I could do these objectives, but I am currently 16, so keep that in mind...
Here are some objectives I have in mind, in no particular order. All would require backpacking. I personally took all the pictures.
Mount Lander, high, remote, imposing 12er, from NF Little Wind. West gully (left line) definitely would go, but looks like a lot of loose and nasty stuff. Bonneys say west ridge (right line) goes at class 4, but they're notoriously incorrect. Other objectives in the area include Mount Roberts (high, class 2), South Twin Lion (Class 5.?), and Musembeah Peak (Class 4+). This area requires a Reservation permit (easily obtainable but costs money).
Mount Helen, famous 13er that is on a Colorado state stamp, from Titcomb Basin via a gully to the north or south (south in picture). Class 2 rubble gully, glacier crossing and steepish couloir climb, class 4 summit ridge. I'm looking at doing the 35+ mile round-trip in 2 days, because the approach is all on a trail, so it would be easy to cruise in the evening.
Mount Warren, tall, rarely climbed 13er, from Helen Glacier via Titcomb. Class 2 rubble pass to beautiful Helen Glacier (in picture foreground), then Class 4 to 5.solo couloir and ridge climb. If I extended the Helen trip to 2 or 3 nights, this would become the secondary objective. Who knows, I might be interested in the trifecta traverse (5.easy, Warren-->Doublet-->Dinwoody), or Sacagawea, or Jackson, or Ellingwood too.
Mount Koven, difficult, rarely climbed 13er with approach along Divide 13ers. Both the south ridge and east face are listed by the Bonneys as 5.0, but of course that rating is quite suspect. The ridge looks like it would require at least 1 or more rappels on the ascent. If Koven proved too challenging, N Face Gannett would be one of many possible backups. It's unlikely that I'll make it to the Dinwoody region this summer, but if someone is interested, I might be able to plan for it.
Bears Tooth, remote 12er, some line or another from the Downs Fork. The marked lines would be Class 5.adventure but appear broken and blocky while still being quite aesthetic (IMO). Walk-off to Divide or possible easier ascent route (4+) on N side from Shangri-La-esque valley. Lots of potential for new climbs in this very untraveled region.
Spider Peak, dramatic 12er (from Bomber Lake--not pictured) via the easiest route (North Ridge, class 4). I would probably approach over Torrey Peak (class 4 downclimb). I will almost certainly be climbing this one this summer.
I have friends and family members that may be climbing with me or backpacking the approach depending on the objective. Beyond the objectives listed above, I would be interested in any 13ers I haven't climbed yet or anything beautiful and remote. (I am not interested in the Cirque because of crowds...) Some areas I'm interested in but don't have pictures of include the Brown Cliffs and NF Grave Creek. I'm also aware of the possibility for some 5.easy FAs in the Ross Lakes region. If you're interested in adding another partner for some adventure peak climbing in the Winds or if you might want to attempt one of these objectives with me, let me know!
