Jagged Mountain
N Face - Class 5.2
At the end of the summer of 2016 Kristi and I had just one more Centennial peak to climb.... Jagged Mountain. Instead of rushing yet another trip to the San Juans we decided to wait until 2017 to climb Jagged and complete our Centennial project. When 2017 rolled around we planned on getting it done early in the season. However it turned out to be the the year of the monsoon. We found ourselves planning and canning many trips due to weather. In mid August we pulled the trigger and made the trip to Durango. We drove on a Wednesday night, hopped a Thursday train and summited on Friday 8/18/17. This gallery documents our trip along with Peak Six and Knife Point. What a journey the Centennials have been and what an amazing way to finish them. Jagged is the crown jewel. It was the most fun to climb and had the most rewarding summit. We hope to return soon.
Partner: Kristi Henes
Fun Fact: Alex & Kristi's Centennial Finisher
On Day 2 we climbed Jagged Mountain, Peak Six and some extra credit on the ridge between Jagged Pass and Peak Six. We covered 10 miles and 7700 vertical in 14 hours.
After a night under the stars we started our approach to Jagged at 5:40am. The sunrise in Upper Noname Basin was no slouch.
After roughly two hours and 2 miles of hiking we reached Jagged Pass and a spectacular view of Jagged's North Face. Kristi approaches Jagged.
From the pass we studied our route and picked out some landmarks.
Arrow and Vestal from Jagged's North Face.
There was a carin one hundred feet or so from the couloir that marked the first crux. Kristi starts crux one.
The terrain between the top of crux one and crux two was fun class 3ish scrambling. Kristi above the first crux.
Kristi crossing an exposed gully just before the second crux. There is often snow at this crossing but is was dry for us.
Alex at the base of the second crux. We ascended along the wall (climber's left) to the table top on the upper right. The third crux was not far from the top of the second crux.
No pictures were taken from the top of crux two until we reached the chimney. After the third crux and and crossing the airy ledges on Jagged's South Face we found the class 4 chimney. Kristi starting the chimney with Sunlight and Windom in the distance.
There was just a little more exposed scrambling after the chimney until we reached the summit. Alex and Kristi on the summit. Vestal and Arrow in the distance.
We had climbed Jagged and completed the Centennials!!! Alex and Kristi celebrating Colorado's highest 105!!!
Taking in the views of Sunlight and Windom. Knife Point(lower right)
This was our most rewarding summit to date. The weather was perfect and the views were unparalleled. Arrow and Vestal on the right.
Looking east from Jagged's summit.
Rio Grand Pyramid and the Window from Jagged's Summit.
Taking in the views of Eolus, Turret and Pigeon (left to right)
After 30 minutes on the summit we decided to head down. Alex on an exposed section above the class 4 chimney.
Kristi just above the class 4 chimney
Alex in the Chimney on Jagged's South Face. Down climbing he chimney was straight forward. The airy ledges were next.
Alex on the airy ledges of Jagged's South Face. There were a few moves where we needed to hang it out there. The exposure was huge.
Alex being careful on the airy ledges of Jagged's South Face
Kristi rapping the third crux. We had two 30 meter ropes that did the trick on all cruxes.
Alex rapping the second crux
Kristi making her way through straightforward class 3 terrain between crux two and crux one.
Kristi getting ready to rap the first crux
Kristi rapping the first crux
Alex rapping the first crux
After descending Jagged we decided to climb Peak Six. Kristi on the ridge between Jagged Pass and Peak Six
Jagged's North Face from ridge to Peak Six
Peak Six had some sweet easy class 3 scrambling on it's south shoulder. Kristi climbing on Peak Six
Alex on the ridge to Peak Six
The views of Jagged from Peak Six were amazing
The Trinities from Peak Six
Jagged from the base of Peak Six. After Peak Six we headed back to camp and celebrated with some freeze dried Lasagna and chocolate.
Jagged from the summit of Vestal