| Ref: 14ers.com
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Mosquito Peak is
summit #2 of the 5-peak traverse.
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RT 8.75 (includes Kuss Peak, Treasurevault Mountain, Mounts Tweto and
Arkansas); 40 minutes up from Kuss Peak. I started to
feel the heat of the sun on this fantastic windless bluebird day. I
really appreciated the fine weather and the beautiful views all around
me, especially after all
the unstable weather since my arrival and the reduced visibility on the
previous hikes. The Sawatch giants stood out, including Mount of the
Holy
Cross. It was amazing to see mountains as far as the eyes can see, all
plastered in snow; I also clearly recognized Pikes Peak in the distance
to
the east. It was neat to be able to name many of these mountains, I
guess I'm
getting familiar with the Mosquito and Sawatch Ranges following several
climbs and
visits to Leadville. The saddle between Kuss and
Mosquito isn't significant so I reached the ranked 13er a short time
after leaving Kuss Peak. On the ascent, I skirted the rocks using firm
drift-snow on the lee side; that made travel fast and efficient. From
the top, the
traverse to the following summits looked quite easy. I stayed on
Mosquito Peak briefly before venturing to peak #3, Mount Treasurevault.
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Mount
Massive beyond Prospect Mountain.
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The ascent is short
and sweet.
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View
north towards peaks #3-4 and 5.
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Impressive
Mount of the Holy Cross (middle) over Buckeye Peak.
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14ers
(orange) to the north-east.
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Eastern
view towards Fairplay, Pikes Peak is visible in the far distance.
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Looking
back at Kuss Peak and other peaks of the Mosquito Range.
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Sawatch
giants to the south-west.
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The
col between Mosquito and Treasurevault is heavily scarred by past
mining
activity.
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A
portable drilling machine.
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An
air compressor or a hot dog stand.
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My next objective is
Treasurevault Mountain, peak #3.
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Continue
on to Treasurevault Mountain
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