Colorado 14ers: Challenger Point & Kit Carson Hike Guide

Revisited these two 14ers for the first time in a number of years. The day started great but didn't end too hot. Needless to say, I won't be back on these two for a long time. This was filmed in early August.
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[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Full hike guide here: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/kit-carson-challenger-point/ & I stand corrected that RFI was the one who did this trail work. They typically win the contract for the Sangre Range.

[@jeasonmurphy9550]

Welcome back to the sangres. It’s cool to see your transformation over the years. Lots of good beta. It was cool to see you at HiLo.

[@Jbindacut]

Awesome video as usual. Thanks for getting me into mountaineering and making such great educational content. Wouldn't have been able to summit longs or elbert without your vids. Would have never even come across my mind cause I'm in MN and we don't got elevation like that. Peace and Love brother! Keep living life to its fullest!

[@COjeepster]

Awesome video, as usual! Appreciate your no-B.S. tell it like it is style. So many youtube folks blow sunshine up your skirts, brag about how easy everything was... blah, blah, blah. You're the real deal. I've done 28 so far, and always check out your reviews before my next. You rock. Keep it up! Sincerely appreciate you!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

I loled at "blowing sunshine up your skirts" - will be using that in the future. But thank you, always try to keep it real.

[@grantskidmore6921]

Long day! Thanks for documenting the journey.

[@calebtot]

Yesterday I went up to Willow Lake with the intention to "feel out" the rest of the hike up towards Challenger. Things definitely got more dicey than I was comfortable with at 13,200'. I made it to exactly where you are at 7:04. Watching the rest of the video past that timestamp is really helpful. I was looking at all the Class 3 thinking "nope". So to know that it keeps to Class 2 if you can just do some careful route finding is fantastic. Thank you so much. I hope to make it to Challenger Point next time! Before I go back I may do some other Class 2s to get more comfortable with the exposure, though. Any recommendations are welcome! :) And sorry about Arya! That sucks!

[@billricheter5678]

Great vid. I remember challenger from the east years ago. Was nasty finding a route.

[@mmcc_woodshop6288]

Great video Mickey! Coming from Ohio, Ive got 11 14ers completed, but wasn't able to make it out to Colorado this year unfortunately - living vicariously through your videos. This is filmed incredibly well - video quality is top notch. Thanks for sharing these videos and experiences with us!

[@karlsargent6033]

Love the videos! I want to do some of this stuff when I’m a bit older, very cool to see!

[@slobgnarly5012]

he said "pause" xD ILY dude

[@hainesftw90]

Got my first taste of the Sangres a few weeks back when I hiked Humboldt from the 2WD trailhead - just astoundingly gorgeous. Hope Aria's doing well, and can't wait for the next episode which should be real tasty judging by your IG stories this past weekend.

[@josephkaplan590]

Hiked Humboldt from down there this summer! The basin beneath the Crestones blew my mind! Humboldt is a great easy option in that area that delivers some of the best views. Such a gorgeous trail. Getting a ride back down to the car makes it even better haha.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

LOTS more 14er content coming over the next month. Can't wait to share it all. Thanks though - Aria is all healed up now and its like it never happened.

[@ervinslens]

Another brilliantly presented video man! Love your latest work!

[@higler.]

Ha, I just watched your old video last night. Excited for this new one!

[@BrentAllen]

very cool view of the needle I've only been on Humboldt in the the Sangres and I've wanted to get some other perspectives. Thanks for the trail guide!

[@rickschmitty3945]

We had an injured paw once, luckily at the beginning of the hike (literally parking lot lol), but got us thinking about issues further out on the trail. Found a product called Fido Pro Airlift which we keep in our bag just in case now

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Yeah I have seen that - might have to pick one up. Fireman carrying Aria for 4 miles was not fun.

[@brianlund7862]

Descending challenger is still my least favorite 14er experience. 100% with ya on that. Sorry bout the pups paws

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Woof - yeah some rough "trail" conditions on that one.

[@gjalnisilver]

Willow Lake always looks like taken straight out of a fantasy novel. So idyllic and beautiful (bugs aside). I think I never saw the avenue to Kit Carson from that perspective before. Looks way less wild than I thought it'd be. (never been to CO myself and probably won't be able to) Feel sorry for the bad ending to your day. Having to carry Arya back out probably wasn't fun . But it always feels good seeing you back in the mountains. Bonus like for the awesome nails 🤩 !

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

I really forgot how beautiful the Sangres are - its SUCH a beautiful area. I just went back down there again for a different mountain (coming soon). Aria is all healed up now but it was def a bitter ending to such an awesome day but at least that was the worst of my problems!

[@jamman3131]

Man that is beautiful! Thanks Mick!

[@Aleclandingham]

I hope aria is doing alright. We started using grip trex for the downhills on rocky bicents.. now that my guy is 9 he doesn’t come along as much

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

She's all healed up now and I'm sure would go hike these two again if given the opportunity 😂

[@travis927]

Dude, only ever seen your older vids. Normally I don't comment on people's appearances, but you're looking great! Must be the hair and trimmed beard?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Must be all the KZbin money 😂

[@WesleyLedford-qj6vo]

Thank you for another awesome video, Sherpa. One question. Did you stay to the right of the snow gully the whole time going up Challenger? Because i took another person's advice back in June and cut right through the middle of it and thought I was going to die that day lol. Thank you!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Yeah to the right the whole time

[@higler.]

2:06 🤣

[@abuhnerkemper]

11:58

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

My stupid 5 year old brain will never not take advantage of a good TWSS

[@abuhnerkemper]

@@TheVirtualSherpa will literally never get old