Peak T, Gore Range, Colorado (5.5 and 5.8 variation)

Stan atop the true summit of Peak T.

In July 2002 I and two others hiked to Peak T (while doing peaks R, S, and T) and noted the (detached!) summit block that was steep on all sides. We climbed the easier high point (background of photo), but it was clear that the block was a few feet higher. On August 25, I returned with Joe Kramarsic and Jim Koegel, and a rope and rock shoes. We threw the rope over the block to set up a belay and climbed it by a couple of routes. To finish we all climbed it without the rope. The easiest is the SW corner (5.5; face and right side of photo). The NE corner offered a 5.8 route. It was a long day, as the approach from Boulder Lake trailhead makes this a 22-mile roundtrip. The approach to tree line via the broad gully from Upper Slate Lake is very pleasant.

A detailed report of this adventure, with more photos appeared in the May-June issue of Trail and Timberline. That article is here: stanwagon.com/wagon/gorerangerock/kramarsicPeakTFirstAscent.pdf