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13,597 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado

West Apostle

West Apostle is a 13,597 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the West Apostle North Face: 8 mi, 3,000 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
West Apostle in the Sawatch Range, Colorado

West Apostle at a glance

  • Elevation13,597 ft4,144 m
  • RouteWest Apostle North FaceClass 2
  • Distance8 mi3,000 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSawatch RangeColorado

Climbing the West Apostle North Face

West Apostle sits in the Sawatch Range. The usual ascent is West Apostle North Face, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.2 miles round-trip with roughly 3,000 ft of gain from about 10,880 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Watch for loose rock, route-finding on talus, and brief exposed steps where the terrain steepens. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (30–40 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with West Apostle

Peaks near West Apostle

  1. Ice Mountain

    Ice Mountain

    13,960 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. North Apostle

    North Apostle

    13,869 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. UN 13513

    UN 13513

    13,513 ft · 1.7 mi away

  4. UN 13486

    UN 13486

    13,486 ft · 1.9 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is West Apostle?

West Apostle is 13,597 feet (4,144 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. It is also known as West Apostle.

How does West Apostle rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,597 feet, West Apostle is the 137th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike West Apostle?

The West Apostle North Face is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike West Apostle?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the West Apostle North Face, covering 8 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike West Apostle?

The West Apostle North Face needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on West Apostle?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and West Apostle reaches 13,597 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking West Apostle?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon.

When is the best time to hike West Apostle?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb West Apostle with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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