Ref: 14ers.com |
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Peerless Mountain is diminutive
compared to the surrounding mountains.
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Hike:
RT 9.5 (includes Horseshoe Mountain and Finnback Knob); 1.5 up
from Finnback Knob.
Today was perfect, I had climbed the Boudoir Couloir on Horseshoe
Mountain and had done a side trip to Finnback Knob under a calm blue
sky. How convenient that the last objective of the day was a freebie
summit just along the way, so much so that it almost feels unfair
counting it as a unique summit! Peerless Mountain is located between
Horseshoe Mountain and Mount Sheridan, the standard
route for Horseshoe passes
right by the diminutive bump. On my way down, I dropped my pack at the
saddle and booted up it, taking only 10 minutes to reach the highpoint.
The view is nice
from there, I took some pics and went back down.
Understandably the
sense of accomplishment wasn't considerable but just like in life, some
things come easy and some with much hardship; I embrace "freebies" once
in awhile. After grabbing another bite,
I headed down the mountain. I basically beelined to the
basin below where I used snowmobile tracks to facilitate my exit.
Looking back towards the couloir was especially satisfying, the snow
climb was by far the highlight of this loop. The
final slog on the road was slow, it was really hot outside and the snow
was soft. I was really pleased to see the truck and shed
some layers. This loop had been a fine push, so thrilled I
could rest now!
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The northern Sawatch Range and
Turquoise Lake beyond Finnback Knob.
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Peerless
Mountain is definitely a "freebie" summit!
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Looking back
at Horseshoe Mountain.
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Peerless'
ascent takes a whole 10 minutes.
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At the top
with Mounts Sheridan (left) and Sherman with Dyer Mountain in the
middle.
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Horseshoe
Mountain again.
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Pikes Peak
to the east.
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Finnback
Knob with Mounts Elbert (middle) and Massive (right). |
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On the way
down I'm getting a view of the couloir and my uptrack.
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Easy descent
from Peerless Mountain.
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A close up
of the Boudoir Couloir, loved that climb!!
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More of the
descent.
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Looking back
up at mighty Peerless Mountain.
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An adjacent
basin south of the horseshoe-shaped cirque, Boudoir Couloir is not on
this picture.
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Here's
another good look from further down.
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Bye bye
Horseshoe Mountain, it's been a slice!
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Leavick Site
with an old decrepit mill.
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