Comments on: Castle Peak South Face from Cumberland Basin 6.29.08 http://14erskiers.com/franksblog/2008/06/castle-peak-south-face-from-cumberland-basin-62908/ Frank Konsella's Backcountry Skiing and Biking Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:39:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Frank http://14erskiers.com/franksblog/2008/06/castle-peak-south-face-from-cumberland-basin-62908/comment-page-1/#comment-1022 Frank Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:32:12 +0000 http://www.14erskiers.com/franksblog/?p=234#comment-1022 Hi Summer. Cumberland Basin is definitely a viable summer route for Castle Peak. In Dawson's book, he describes the summer route as 9 hours and roughly 3500', which seems about right based on my experience in that basin as a snow climb. The summer route aims for the ridge between Castleabra and Castle. The hardest part will be the drive- someone in your group needs a good 4x4 to get all the way to the trailhead. The creeks have just started coming down in the last week or so, but they're still quite high for this time of year. Also, you'll need to navigate the basin which only has remnants of an old trail/road, so getting caught up in willows will slow you down considerably. We had good luck on the climber's right going up the valley. Cumberland Basin is an amazing place an you will be rewarded if you give it a try. Of course, there are many other peaks in the Crested Butte area that are worth climbing as well, and most of them have trip reports (usually from springtime) on this website as well. Have fun! Hi Summer. Cumberland Basin is definitely a viable summer route for Castle Peak. In Dawson’s book, he describes the summer route as 9 hours and roughly 3500′, which seems about right based on my experience in that basin as a snow climb. The summer route aims for the ridge between Castleabra and Castle.

The hardest part will be the drive- someone in your group needs a good 4×4 to get all the way to the trailhead. The creeks have just started coming down in the last week or so, but they’re still quite high for this time of year. Also, you’ll need to navigate the basin which only has remnants of an old trail/road, so getting caught up in willows will slow you down considerably. We had good luck on the climber’s right going up the valley.

Cumberland Basin is an amazing place an you will be rewarded if you give it a try. Of course, there are many other peaks in the Crested Butte area that are worth climbing as well, and most of them have trip reports (usually from springtime) on this website as well. Have fun!

]]> By: Summer http://14erskiers.com/franksblog/2008/06/castle-peak-south-face-from-cumberland-basin-62908/comment-page-1/#comment-1021 Summer Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:24:32 +0000 http://www.14erskiers.com/franksblog/?p=234#comment-1021 Hi Frank. I'm thinking of doing Castle from the Crested Butte side with several ladies at end of August. Can you tell us how long it took you round trip and is snow and couloir the only option to summit? Hi Frank. I’m thinking of doing Castle from the Crested Butte side with several ladies at end of August. Can you tell us how long it took you round trip and is snow and couloir the only option to summit?

]]> By: TR: Teocalli (20 Mar 2010) – 14erskiers.com http://14erskiers.com/franksblog/2008/06/castle-peak-south-face-from-cumberland-basin-62908/comment-page-1/#comment-412 TR: Teocalli (20 Mar 2010) – 14erskiers.com Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:00:53 +0000 http://www.14erskiers.com/franksblog/?p=234#comment-412 [...] to 13,209′, this peak dominates like a mini-Maroon Bell, but stands in the shadow of Castle. Teocalli has been on my list of things to ski for quite awhile and conditions set up perfectly [...] [...] to 13,209′, this peak dominates like a mini-Maroon Bell, but stands in the shadow of Castle. Teocalli has been on my list of things to ski for quite awhile and conditions set up perfectly [...]

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