Galisteo basin preserve, Santa Fe, nm

BBBG, Santa Fe edition

Mexican Hat, UT -> Black Mesa, AZ

Sand canyon, CO -> Mexican Hat, UT

Day 5: First powder day of the season!

I’ve always loved peak climbing, but over the past several years, the goal has just been bikes, bikes, bikes, most of the time. Sure, I fit in a handful of peaks last year, but not that many. However, those big hikes to climb up and sit on top of something were some of the most memorable the highlights of the summer. So this year, I’m setting a new goal: I’m going to try to hike one peak a week for the entirety of astronomical summer. While I know that isn’t much compared to some of my friends, if I manage to climb one peak a week for that many weeks, that would be something totally new to me. 

Now, what counts as a peak might be open to interpretation. I’m not solely concerned with high points and 14ers. Instead, I’m really excited to climb some obscure stuff that sees very little traffic. I’m not necessarily going to be going up the highest things around. Also, it’s going to be sport agnostic. I’ve got a few peaks that I would like to ride on my mountain bike as well, and those definitely count. Lastly, well, I’m not sure if this will be possible, but if I can do one unique peak every single week with no repeats, that would be the ultimate achievement. 

I foolishly left the snowshoes in the storage unit, and there is still so much snow in the San Juan‘s that the high peaks are far from dry! So to get started with the challenge, I chose a short but aesthetic peak for today: Castle Rock. It’s a quick 5 1/2 miles round-trip with about 1,800 feet of climbing, but it culminates in an absolutely stunning view! It’s a good thing I didn’t try to go any higher, because I did hit some snow even on this route. All things considered, a great way to begin the challenge!　👏 2.56 new miles

-- From Wandrer.earth

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Greg Heil

One Peak a Week Challenge: Summer 2023. Castle Rock, Durango, Co

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Galisteo basin preserve, Santa Fe, nm

BBBG, Santa Fe edition

Mexican Hat, UT -> Black Mesa, AZ

Sand canyon, CO -> Mexican Hat, UT

Day 5: First powder day of the season!

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