Pete's Creek, Colonel Bob

After a snow induced FAIL a few weeks ago, I headed up again this weekend. After a visit to the regular summit, I decided to head over to the eastern summit, the one nobody ever goes to. There's no trail, and I wasn't sure if I could even get up there, but I was surely going to try. I descended into the meadow below the saddle and explored around there briefly, while looking for an approach up to the east summit. Much like my run up French Peak, it was going to be an 'embrace the mountain' sort of accent; grab a rock and climb. This part was no longer a hike, but a scramble. I climbed up using hand and foot holds, including a little chimney-climb near the top. There may be an easier way, but I was just making it up as I went. The view from the top was stunning, precarious, and butt-cheek clenching. The west summit is large enough for a dance party, the east summit is a couples only event. Moonshine Pass off the east face appears like it's straight down, and I approached it gingerly to look over the edge. I was absolutely petrified as I a took a perch for the boot-shot photo. Checking the time, I said a quick prayer, and headed off. Getting off the summit wasn't quite the drama I was expecting, I used the vegetation to let myself down in a semi-controlled fashion, and was back in the meadow snow quickly. I left the trail head a bit before 8am, and was back in the parking lot by 5pm.