Marble Mountain, Colorado

November 11, 2004





Photo by Barry Raven

Marble Mountain 13,266 ft.
Photo by Barry Raven



Marble Mountain is a spectacular peak in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo range of southern Colorado.   It is located directly south of Humboldt Peak near Westcliffe, Colorado.  Although not as well-known as it's popular fourteener neighbors like Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle, Marble Mountain offers a nice alternative to the crowds which those peaks attract.  Since Marble Mountain is a relatively easy climb in summer, we chose to up the difficulty a bit by climbing it in winter conditions.  Jackie didn't get to go on this trip, so join Alan, Barry, and Andy as they battle the wind and cold on Marble Mountain.  In the photo above, our route followed the northeast ridge which is on the right-hand skyline.



Photo by Alan Ellis
The first obstacle to our Marble climb was getting to our high camp via the very rough South Colony Road.


Photo by Alan Ellis
Andy and Barry take a break along the trail.  As the snow got deeper, it became necessary to put on snowshoes.


Photo by Andy Leach
Alan and Barry continue along the trail.  Barry struggles in the deep snow.  He elected to forego snowshoes, and he was paying the price.  Photo by Andy Leach.


Photo by Andy Leach
Alan is almost out of treeline.  The sun kept coming out for brief periods of time, but that would soon change and conditions would quickly get worse.  Photo by Andy Leach.


Photo by Alan Ellis
Immediately above treeline the wind increased.  Here, Andy fights the fierce wind and cold while on the northeast ridge.


Photo by Alan Ellis
Barry and Andy on the northeast ridge of Marble Mountain.  Humboldt Peak, a fourteener, looms in the background.


Photo by Andy Leach
Alan continues to climb the northeast ridge.  The southern end of the Sangre de Cristo range is in the background.  Photo by Andy Leach.


Photo by Andy Leach
Alan opts to take off his snowshoes for the rocky ascent to the final summit push.  Photo by Andy Leach.


Photo by Andy Leach
Barry and Alan approach the summit with the entire northeast ridge below them.  By this time, strength and energy are ebbing and everyone is ready to get to the top.  Photo by Andy Leach.


Photo by Andy Leach
On the summit!
Notice how the clouds have moved in.  The temperature was about 20 degrees and the wind was blowing about 40 mph.  It was now time to get off this rock!  Photo by Andy Leach.


This climb was difficult, but fun, and highly recommended for a safe winter mountain.  Thanks to Andy and Barry for the use of their photos.  See more pics of this climb on Andy's website at www.leachfam.com.





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