| I made the all-too common mistake of setting the alarm improperly and had to trash plans for Kit Carson Peak. At 5:00 a.m. I awoke and decided on W. Spanish instead. I had been to Cordova Pass in April 2003, when I didn't even get out of the truck to attempt it because the pass was closed. I started out at about 9:00 a.m. with a steady wind at the trailhead. The trees blocked the wind for a good portion of the hike. On the right, West Spanish Peak is seen from an open meadow near the trailhead. After a while the gentle trail began to switchback to attain the steep west shoulder. At treeline, the steep task ahead is apparent. Up the scree and talus I went seeing some of the other hikers out this day. | |
| A slight bit of route-finding kept me on "trail" for the majority of the hike up the talus. The slope is a consistent slog of 1,500' at a redundant angle on featureless terrain. About the only view of interest is the Culebra Range to the southwest. I made my way quickly up the talus and was able to avoid the wind for the most part until around 13,200'. I didn't bother to bring several things today, one of which was a hat, so I was sweating into my mouth at some points - yummy. On the left is a view of the relentless scree/talus ascent. I put on my shell to combat the wind and chilly temperature near the conclusion of the steep slope, going so far as to cover my head with the hood, which was an odd gesture with so much sweat on my face. |
| After about 50 yards on the gentle slope toward the saddle, the summit appeared on the ridge (photo on right), which was more abrupt than I was expecting. The wind was in strong character on the ridge, and I did not stay except to chat briefly with a couple from Tennessee after running over to the East summit. Upon backsighting, the western summit appeared higher. I didn't waste much time getting down the slope into the trees again, and was back at the truck at 12:15 p.m. The summit view featured an interesting perspective of Culebra Peak. Below, Blanca Peak asserts its prominence over the San Luis Valley from the summit of West Spanish Peak. |
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