May 2024--Conquering Marble Mountain

Photo by Jenny Venturo

Marble Mountain (right), Sangre de Cristo Range, CO

Humboldt Peak is known for its wind. As we huddled together at 13,288,’ we knew that it was no joke. Every time a gust came, we would have to fall on our knees and huddle lower onto the snow. At this point, we realized we would have to turn around. It was only one more mile to the summit. But this mile was a steep, knife-edge ridge. It was already almost Class 3, and the wind and cold made it harder.

Photo by Jenny Venturo

View of the North Face of Humboldt Peak

We sadly climbed back down to a place where we could eat and put on our snowshoes for the descent.

Almost a week later, we were ready to try another mountain. We decided on Humboldt’s neighbor—Marble Mountain. Above tree line, the wind began. But this time we were ready. We began to crawl up the slope, digging our ice axes into the snow for grip. Clouds of snow stung our faces, coming off the slope and from the racing clouds. After a long crawl, we almost slithered onto the summit. As the wind made gaps in the dark clouds, we saw the Crestones and Humboldt. Although we didn’t summit a 14er, I’m so glad we could do a 13er!

Photo by Jenny Venturo

Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak (left) are some of the most impressive mountains in the Sangre de Cristo Rrange

Video by Jenny Venturo

Wind conditions on Marble Mountain can reach nearly hurricane force.