| Kelbaholts, Carson Peak, Castle Rock Turtle Mt. - Topo | |
Twelve participants met 10.5 miles from Highway 95 on Turtle Mountain Road, Saturday at 8 a.m. They were Ron Jones, Adrienne Knute, Sue Wyman, Jim Farkas, Vic Henney, Ron Bartell, Bob Sullivan, Mathew Bell, Igor Mamadelin, Jack Borre. Caravanned approximately 3 more miles on a fair dirt road in SW direction towards Kelbaholts Peak (road shown on Topo). We parked near a large gully where the road drops off, just past some old miners' cabins. Two persons came only for the scenery and the fresh air leaving ten to go for the peaks. Before proceeding far, Ron Jones found a miners crucible. It is a ceramic jar about the size of a drinking glass, used by the miners to test for minerals. The approach to the peak was from the East. There are about three apparent routes up, but the first (right hand side) we tried was a high class 4, with all of the rock loose and therefore had to be abandoned. In the meantime Ron Bartell and Ron Jones found a better route towards the center. The rock was loose, but not as steep so that it could be climbed. It was a fun climb. (1700 ft gain). Near the top we found a skeleton of a baby bighorn sheep. It may have died of disease or may have been brought up by an eagle? The register still contains the 1925 typed story of the first ascent of the three men after whom the peak was named, including photographs. It seems that the peak has only been climbed about eight times, once by DPS on a scheduled hike. We descended a gully on the East side where we had to down climb about 30 feet using a belay. On the way down Bob saw a bighorn sheep below us and alerted us so we all were able to see it. Then we decided to continue on to Carson Pk, 100 ft higher than Kelbaholts. Then proceeded in straight line for about a mile up and down minor gullies, then up a wash for another mile to a string, shown on top. Started our ascent on the left side. About two thirds of the way up traversed to the right and on the top. Descended on the right side, easy slope to the wash below and back to cars. |
| Page Index | Prev | Page 6 | Next | Issue Index |