Though I write primarily about longer experiences, there are many shorter outings that never get the attention they deserve. As Memorial Day weekend nears, and as we finalize our plans to head to the Pecos Wilderness and climb Truchas Peak, it's worthwhile to share some of the photos from these outings. January 22nd, the three of us attempted to climb Organ Needle, the
highest point in the Organ Mountains, a range that creates a magnificent
skyline to the east of Las Cruces, New Mexico. In mid-February we traveled to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where we backpacked to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. We camped overnight a mile below the summit and returned the next day. One weekend afternoon in March Alex and I climbed to the summit of South Franklin Mountain, the large rocky top mountain that is the centerpiece of El Paso, Texas, which has a steep, rugged 1.5 mile route to a grouping of radio towers at its highest point. Finally, in late April, the three of us traveled north of Deming and climbed Cookes Peak, an isolated mountain in ranch country that has an incredible rock dome summit, with a rugged, two-mile approach. The following photos are my favorites from each of these remarkable places.
Organ Needle
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| Early morning, initial approach to Organ Mountains. |
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| Alex and Monica near Grey Eminence, Organ Needle. |
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| Alex and Monica approaching Yellow Rock. Grey Eminence is the dark rock above, with Organ Needle in the high background. |
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| Looking back down towards La Cueva, the fin-like rock formation in the valley below. |
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| Organ Needle. |
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| Monica and Alex descend the route near Grey Eminence. |
Guadalupe Peak
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| About a mile up the trail on the four mile climb to Guadalupe Peak. It is about 40 F and windy. |
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| Sunrise on the summit of Guadalupe Peak, as seen from our backcountry campsite. |
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| Our campsite. It was in the 20s and very windy overnight. |
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| Alex filling out the summit register on top of Guadalupe Peak. |
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| El Capitan and to the south from the summit. |
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| Sunset, looking east, from backcountry campsite. |
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| Sunrise. |
South Franklin Mountain
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| Alex on top of South Franklin Mountain. |
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| Looking south from summit towards Ranger Peak and the mountains south of Juarez, Mexico. |
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| Looking north towards North Franklin Mountain, the highest in the range. |
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| Looking west towards the Elephant's Trunk and the West Side of El Paso. |
Cookes Peak
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| Cookes Peak. |
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| Cookes Peak. |
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| Monica atop the draw on approach to Cookes Peak summit. |
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| Monica and Alex begin the Class 2+ scramble to the south summit. |
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| Climbing the south summit. |
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| Climbing the south summit. |
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| Monica and Alex reach top of Cookes Peak main summit. |
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| Alex filling out summit register. |
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| Monica and Alex prepare lunch. |
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| Nap time. |
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| Nap time. |
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| Ted on summit of Cookes Peak. |
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