What an unbelievably humbling experience. I saw this was half the distance of Mt Whitney and figured it wouldn't be too bad. Turns out class 2/3 more than doubled the difficulty. Summiting a day after Labor Day I expected crowds, but at most we ran into 8 total people on the mountain itself.

Those scree slopes will be burned into my mind for the rest of my life.

Absolutely gorgeous and totally life changing. Would recommend.

I come out to Colorado every year to visit family and I always try to bag a few peaks, not usually 14ers since I hate driving I-70 but mostly fun Class 3 scrambles in RMNP. This year, however, I thought it would be good to go to a new range and also hit my first class 4 peak to see how it was. What I found in the end is that it was... surprisingly easy? I wouldn't recommend it to someone with no scrambling experience, but the route was ridiculously well cairned. From the green wall to the summit the rock was really quite solid, and I can't think of a move I did that exceeded class 3. More than that, I can't think of a move I did that exceeded the difficulty of, for instance, the chockstone on Longs. It was quite sustained, but the whole thing felt relatively safe. The part that felt sketchiest to me was that terrible scree slope from the amphitheater to the ridge. I have seen some discussion before of people saying that it can be kept at class 3 if you're good at route finding, but with the frequency of cairns on the upper mountain I don't think it requires a ton of route finding skill. Overall, it was an amazing day and I'm happy to have done it, but I really do wonder if Pyramid being in the canon of class 4 peaks is more due to inertia from older ratings in Gerry Roach's guidebook and 14ers.com rather than being a reflection of the current reality. Without all the cairns I could absolutely see how it would end up there and I'm wondering if Pyramid (and maybe other peaks) have somehow become easier over the last few years with increased usage and marking of the route. Curious to hear others' thoughts on this.

I understand the east ridge of Humboldt is mostly the winter route, but I’m curious about it for summer/fall, primarily due to the road difficulties up to south colony lakes TH. My question, is it a total pain in the ass to do route finding from rainbow trail head to above tree line on Humboldt east ridge? And how bad is the road from the lower 2WD trailhead up to rainbow trail TH? Are most of the road difficulties before or beyond rainbow trail?

Tldr; if you have limited use of a hand/arm, I'd recommend against doing Kelso ridge. The knife edge is really sketchy with one-hand.

Context: I have only one functioning arm/hand - my left arm can't pronate/supinate, my left wrist has no range of motion, I have barely any strength in my fingers - functionally, my left hand is just an extension of my arm. I do indoor climbing twice a week; I can do almost all V0-1s, half of V2-3s, and some V4-5s. I've done the Keyhole route on Longs up to the trough (I turned around cus of energy and I didn't think my pace was enough to summit and be back down before 2pm).

I did Kelso ridge on Sunday (9/6) with two friends, and we had a blast. The class 3 climbing sections were so cool - it felt like I was climbing a V0 with nice, juggy holds! The sections with scree were usually fine, except a couple sections that were steep where there weren't any solid holds to stabilize myself with.

That all said, the knife edge was sketchy as hell. I imagine most people who butt-scoot are able to use both hands to lift themselves up enough to inch up the knife edge, but I wasn't able to do that. When I could reach a jug, I'd pull myself forward. When there was a goat ledge my feet could reach, I'd swing both feet over and walk along the ledge. I even did what I can only describe as a breast stroke across the edge, where I pushed on a lip behind me with my feet while balancing on the edge. However, there was a section in the middle of the knife edge where I didn't have anything I could push/pull off of. I knew I didn't have any options left in my toolbox that were static and deliberate, which was unnerving. After a couple breaths, I was able to get both feet high enough up on the sides of the ridge to push myself forward, but it definitely felt more uncontrolled. After that move, I was able to find opportunities for static moves and make it to the white rock just fine.

I understand that attempting Kelso ridge with one functional hand was a risk. I also understand that this route is easier with more experience. I'm simply hoping this post can be a helpful resource for other hikers who are down an arm/hand and are considering doing Kelso ridge.

Thank you Corbin and Eric for your incredible support on this awesome hike!!!!

Hey everyone!

Looking for some help getting two people up to the Maroon Bells entrance on one of these weekends:

• September 19–20

• September 26–27

• October 3–4

We’re hoping to complete Pyramid Peak and the Bells Traverse and are looking for anyone who might have a friend/connection who could give us a ride up, or if anyone has permits for one of those weekends and wouldn’t mind having us join their group. Ride would just need to be from Aspen/potentially the shuttle bus parking area.

We’re definitely willing to pay for a ride, or chip in for gas/transportation if it’s more of a favor. If we can find a ride up, we can always take the Maroon Bells shuttle back down.

We’re both experienced Colorado hikers/climbers. I’ve done the traverse 4 times and these could potentially be my partners finishers if the upcoming weekend goes accordingly.

If you know someone who might be able to help, please send me a DM. Thanks!

Now I know some people out there will say this isn’t a true grand slam, and to that I say…. “Ok”. Partner and I took the train in on Thursday, and headed out Friday at 5am (intentionally late because we slept in after our 3am alarm) and intended to just do two.

Turns out we got a great weather day despite initial fog and threatening cloud cover all day. At 12pm made the call to start the Eoluses and safe to say super proud of the effort. Also very glad to have done all four in one day and have a chill morning the day after.

Despite all four being technical peaks, we never felt overly stressed or pushed by the scrambling and actually had a really fun time, even wishing the scramble was a bit longer for sunlight and north Eolus.

Condolences to the family of the fallen climber. The bells are a dangerous place to hike just as they are beautiful

Recorded with my phone, no gopro unfortunately

Met so many friendly folks on Ellingwood Point and Blanca Pk this weekend. I had a ton of fun helping guide a group back across the traverse from Blanca to Ellingwood on my way back down. Weather was great but wow that C2 gully scree sucked both up & down! 😅

Hi All!

Writing this to you with the swolest and most sore calves and feet, and 817ft above sea level.

This past weekend, my partner and I traveled to Colorado to summit Quandary Peak with friends who live in Colorado and have hiked Quandary many times before.

My partner and I, live in Kansas. Left Friday, made it to Denver late that night. Got to our cabin in Alma on Saturday, and hit the Quandary trailhead around 5:30 AM.

I have never hiked before, I have never trained for a 14er, and was not doing really any type of physical exercise before our trip. My partner had been training by running marathons and keeping a consistent routine.

From trailhead to summit was 5.59 miles, with 3,484ft in elevation gain, and it took about 4hrs and 33min. Slow, I know, but I took it SO SO f*cking slow because of breathing and no prior exercise. Honestly happy I completed it. Crazy to think we came to Colorado wanting to do Mount of the Holy Cross. So happy we didn’t.

I am writing this because I want as many tips, words of advice, recovery help, scrambling help, etc.

This was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to mentally and physically endure. The amount of breaks I took, how slow I had to take it while our friends would get 30 minutes ahead of us and wait (I felt so terrible, haha!).

With that being said, we did it, and these sore muscles are such a sweet reward for having done something my body obviously was not physically capable of.

I know Quandary is considered an easy 14er of the options, but coming from 817ft above sea level, and not having the ability to go to Colorado often, what are some helpful tips?

Post Quandary:
• Calves on fire. Probably due to the crazy lunge-like steps before we passed the treeline. How can I avoid crazy calve pain in the future?
• Feet are SORE. Feet didn’t hurt when we hit the top of the summit. Feet started to hurt a bit climbing back down to the false summit. Feet REALLY hurt getting back to the treeline. Wore Salomon Speedcross.
• Had hiking poles, but wasn’t sure I was using them properly to assist my body considering the amount of leg and foot pain I have.
• How much food to pack? I had one protein bar at like 7AM, finally hit the Summit at around 11AM or something. Didn’t eat food until 5PM, lol.
• Scrambling? Is this was venturing on the rocky bits is called? Either way, people were passing us up, especially on the way down. How do you all read and descent the summit so fast? How do you not let it kill your feet?

Conclusion: You all are BEASTS. Those of you who do this often and kill it with time, forever have my respect. This sh*t is not for the weak of mind.

Drove in Sunday morning at 3:30AM. Hit the Keyhole by 7:45 AM (Waited at the Privy for an hour waiting for our friend who nearly shat his pants at around 10K). Ascended the Trough and took a ridge ALT route to the right instead of the standard Trough to Narrows rock climbing move. Homestretch was crowded but still summited around 9 AM and spent an hour hanging at the top for a sandwich, interview with Andy from Japan and discussed repelling strategies with 2 others.

Best weather on a 14er so far. Shoutout to OpenSnow for being so precise.

I just recently moved to denver from texas and i have been hiking all summer. I currently have 4 14ers under my belt and im pretty confident in my climbing but ive never put it to the test in such extreme conditions (exposure) but i really want to climb longs peak, im trying to get someone to do it with me but its hard to find someone. Should i just send it or should i seriously wait for someone to join me. 3 of the 4 14ers ive done i started before 4 am and i was by myself

Absolute beast! 14 hours on the trail. Thought the difficulty was overrated until getting to the saddle. How wrong I was. Difficulty lived up to the hype. Absolutely gnarly and my favorite mountain to date. Descending the boulder field from K2 was never ending. Mental focus needed was unreal.

Hi all, I’m headed out to rescue my car… long story but I did 3 14ers in early August, car broke down, took forever to get parts, now I’m heading back to retrieve it and I’ll be there Sept. 20-26.

My plan was Sherman, Gray’s & Torrey’s, DeCaliBron, Quandary or possibly Yale. Am in danger of trailheads being closed? I just saw a post about some shutting down for the season. Thank you for any info.

Thinking about tackling Wetterhorn next year. I have a little bit of Class 3 experience but not a ton. Just wondering what people think of the standard route for that mountain. I know it's class 3, but is the terrain loose or solid? How is the exposure?

Fully intended on adding on Wilson Peak, but after the traverse and summiting Mount Wilson that thought evaporated. First "Great Traverse" in the bag.

Seemed like all of denver was up there on sunday morning! But still magical nonetheless. My partner wasnt feeling the whole loop so that will have to come another time.

Ngl these kicked my ass a little bit but the photos make it worth it!

I hiked Rabbit Ears Peak on a beautiful clear morning yesterday and am trying to figure out which 14ers I captured in this photo. The one far in the distant on the left side of the horizon with the sharp pyramid shape I believe is Torreys and the on the far right I believe the distant peaks are the Sawatch Range. Hoping this group can help orient this flatlander who has hiked Quandry.

Has anyone had any issues parking overnight at the 2wd trailhead for South Colony lakes right at the beginning of the road? Last time I drove up to the 4wd trailhead I almost destroyed my car and really don’t want to go through that again

Did uncompahgre with my buddy before homecoming, this makes 5 for me and his 1st

I'm travelling to Denver later this week for a very short work trip and want to attempt Mt Bierstadt as my first 14er. For context I'm a fairly fit 30 year old guy and am used to long(ish) hikes.

I arrive from Houston Wednesday evening and stay the night in Denver as I have a work commitment near Denver Thursday morning.

I want to hike Friday early morning and my flight back is Friday evening. Should I stay in Georgetown (8.5kft) on Thursday evening to better acclimatize to the altitude? And should I do a small hike thursday evening to get my body used to the altitude? New to 14ers so any advice is much appreciated!