Mandatory sign shot. I don 't know why I think it's necessary to take pictures of them, but they sure are cool looking
Approaching Mt. Harvard at sunrise
Near the summit of Harvard
Looking towards Columbia and the connecting ridge, our route
On the summit of Harvard
Beginning the ridge
Me with Columbia, a long way off...
The connecting ridge between Harvard and Columbia is a quality route. Only on rappel was necessary, about 25 feet. The rest we soloed
Alpine garden on the ridge. That is Mt. Yale in the background
The first 1/3 of the route is easy walking
Collegiate Peaks
Mt. Yale
Things are starting to look more interesting from here
The ridge becomes more defined about half way through
Typical 4th class ledge traverse on the ridge
Surprisingly solid rock. This was right after the only rappel, and just before the "Rabbits"
Approaching the "Rabbits." We traversed them on the right, in spite of guidebook suggestions to do it on the left. It was very easy, and avoided the snow in the gully on the left
The Rabbits
Only the summit ridge to Columbia remains
On the summit of Columbia
Beginning the tedious descent off Columbia. Luckily we found a gully that was still full of snow, and glissaded nearly the whole way down
This lichen was huge!
A massive avy chute coming off of Mt. Yale