Lake Fork - Sin Nombre Ridge

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

This is an alpine route described as can be expected during spring when backcountry conditions are more preferable for skiing. During winter, a deep snowpack and cornices/wind drifts change the characteristic of this route, it is not recommended for novices or anyone uncomfortable in steeper, technical terrain.

The ridgeline connecting Lake Fork Mountain and the approximately 12,819 foot summit of Sin Nombre Mountain requires tight nerve and class 3 climbing skills. Most of the ridge is easier class 2 terrain, and a primitive trail is worn into the rocks along much of the route; there are some more technical features near the middle where the route descends across, around, and beneath some rocky outcrops protruding from the crest between the two higher summits.

The technical features are best navigated by staying lower down to the south then contouring back towards the ridge, no rope work is necessary but keep in mind this is steep terrain with lots of talus and loose rocks, you may want to keep your hands free and utilize basic three-point climbing techniques to navigate these sections.

The route levels out, crosses to a level high point then drops onto a saddle north of Sin Nombre. Once past there, the ridge is narrow and steep but pretty straight forward to the peak. Again, there is no definitive route here; there are a couple steeper rocky sections which can be navigated by staying low and contouring around, then climbing back to the ridge before reaching the summit.