Spencer points to our path back home, northwest along the ridge towards Willow Lake.

 

I head back down to the basin, some 2500 vertical feet below. Above my right hand you can barely see the waterfall feeding Willow Lake.

 

We tried a different route down; more direct but steeper overall.

 

Spencer demonstrates our six-prong approach for descent - 2 legs, one hand, one stick, and 2 cheeks.

 

For reference, here's the view back up from an elevation of 13,000' (as measured by my trusty Garmin).

 

And the view down from the same spot.

 

After seven hours of climbing, Willow Lake was a welcome sight. Spencer remained stoic...

 

The wind died down and skies cleared for our last night on the mountain, so we took the opportunity to sleep under the stars. I woke and took this at sunrise - the round pink shape on the rock by the right sleeping bag is Spencer's head.

 
 

We definitely want to try another shot at Kit Carson Peak, maybe a little later in the season after some more snow melt.  This is one of the best KC photos I've seen, taken by Steve Hoffmeyer.  Definitely something to shoot for !

 

 

 

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