14ers.com

On Gerry Roach's website, he has an interesting section on Colorado's "classic peaks." Does anyone know what criteria he uses to qualify them as classic? I had not heard of some of mountains and am very interested in hiking them. I was pleasantly surprised that he picked several Class 2 routes.

http://www.climb.mountains.com/Classic_ ... sics.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks,
Rob

I could be wrong, but I think he just rates them based on his personal belief on what is classic or not. In his 13ers book he has many routes described as "classic" and generally speaking, in my experience, these routes have indeed been some of the best routes I've been on. So, long story short, I think it is a subjective rating.

these are most likely his personal favorites based on route quality/summit views/aesthetics/lack of crowds...class of the route really has not much to do with it. The ones in the list that i have been on i can say are pretty fantastic and wouldn't hesitate to climb them again.

Please ignore that list...

Seriously, that is one that I'm "working on." Folks sho know me know that I have about 37 lists to choose from so I don't finish any of them any time soon. Anyways, careful, that list leads to an infatuation with the Gores and may put you on peaks where you don't see another soul.

On an attempt on Teocalli a few years ago we saw a couple from Crested Butte who's first question was, "If you're from Denver, how in the world did you hear about this peak?"

Edit: I guess that was the 2nd question. The first being, "Where are you from?"

In the intros to both the 13ers and 14ers books, he says he "designated the best routes, regardless of difficulty, as *Classic*". So I'm sure his idea of "best" has some long list of subjective and objective criteria.

Floyd wrote: On an attempt on Teocalli a few years ago we saw a couple from Crested Butte who's first question was, "If you're from Denver, how in the world did you hear about this peak?"

hah that's probably what i would have said...seriously though, teo just looks freakin awesome when going up brush creek rd. and looks even better with snow on it

The one that immediately jumped out to me was "Siberia Peak". Have you also noticed that he's got a lot from the Elk Range? I know it's pretty, but it can also be rotten. Oh well. This would be a wonderful list to work on after the 58....

I love the Gores!

This would be a great list to work on. Now that I'm most of the way through Roach's Flatiron classics, it's pretty obvious that rock quality hardly plays into his decisions. Some routes are very quality but I have a feeling that his personal experiences (partners, etc.) have a major factor into designating some "classic".

Brian C wrote:This would be a great list to work on. Now that I'm most of the way through Roach's Flatiron classics, it's pretty obvious that rock quality hardly plays into his decisions. Some routes are very quality but I have a feeling that his personal experiences (partners, etc.) have a major factor into designating some "classic".

I would have to concur. Airplane Gully on Navajo was a classic choss chute IMO! Maybe he had an enjoyable day with good company. Or did it with snow, that would make it better.

I have spent the last couple of years casually working my way through the peaks on Gerry Roach's "classics" list and would agree that it is subjective. Although I have enjoyed nearly all of those he lists, particularly the one's in the Elks/West Elks and Gores such as Teocalli, Belleview (which has one of the most interesting views of the Maroon Bells I've ever seen), Cinnamon Mountain, and Outpost Peak, he doesn't list many peaks in those ranges that others would consider classics such as East Beckwith (which is like a cross between Mount Sopris and Snowmass Mountain), or Peak C which I just returned from climbing and is a new favorite.

Funny coincidence w/ this post: Today is Gerry's Birthday. Nicely done, Gerry!