Difficulty rating of Shavano to Tabegauche

[dpage]

Nobody seems to think it is class 3. So the question is should it be counted as 2 or 2+. At that point, does the difference even matter?

It doesn't matter.

[JimR]

The fact that it doesn't have a defined trail is what bumps it up from class 1 to class 2.

[ChrisRoberts]

Nobody seems to think it is class 3. So the question is should it be counted as 2 or 2+. At that point, does the difference even matter?

The distinction between class 2 and 2+ depends on whether you had 2 or 2+ summit beers on top

[bergsteigen]

Nobody seems to think it is class 3. So the question is should it be counted as 2 or 2+. At that point, does the difference even matter?

No, just no. It's class 2. Period. If it's more difficult, you're off route.

[DArcyS]

I kind of understand what the OP is saying. Sometimes you're dealing with big rocks and you're not really climbing in the sense you're going up or down a rock wall, but you're using your hands to make your way through the rocks. It's a little bit more annoying than hard (which makes it class 2), but if you aren't careful, you can end up hurting yourself if you fall into a gap between the rocks. I remember the climb up Ice Mtn. and other 13ers being like this, although I can't really recall what the traverse from Shavano to Tabegauche was like. It's been too long.

[SnowAlien]

No, just no. It's class 2. Period. If it's more difficult, you're off route.

How do you get off route on the connecting ridge between Shav/Tab?

Just sayin.

Dick

People ended up in McCoy gulch and needed to be rescued. Just sayin.

[rob runkle]

Bad route finding and path selection does not increase the classification of the "standard route."
Class 2.

[RyGuy]

No, just no. It's class 2. Period. If it's more difficult, you're off route.

How do you get off route on the connecting ridge between Shav/Tab?

Just sayin.

Dick

People ended up in McCoy gulch and needed to be rescued. Just sayin.

And unfortunately it has happened multiple times.
Here are some details from one of the more recent times:
https://www.facebook.com/ChaffeeCountyS ... 10/?type=3
http://14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?st ... D%21%21%21

And Shav/Tab ridge being class 2+? If someone thinks that is class 2+, either you are way off route or are going to be in for a rough surprise on all the rest of the peaks you climb compared with the guidebooks.

-Ryan

[Jim Davies]

People ended up in McCoy gulch and needed to be rescued. Just sayin.

If you're going down the ridge from Shavano and wind up in McCoy Gulch, it's not because it's class 3.

[Ptglhs]

If you need a solid trail on every hike.... go to a city park. These are mountains.

If you're looking for a jerk just say something in an online forum, they'll find you.

[Chicago Transplant]

I agree that the route is class 2. One of the "problems" with 14ers popularity is that many of the class 2 routes have developed significant climbers trails that have reduced their difficulty. In my opinion, most class 2 14ers have actually been downgraded to class 1+, as they are mostly trail with some minor rock hopping. Its rare to have significant stretches of truly "off-trail hiking", which is the basic definition of what class 2 means.

The reason by Bel-Ox may have seemed easier is that it has a lot less class 2 due to a significant amount of climbers trail. I haven't done the Shav-Tab pair since 2009, or Bel-Ox in summer condition since 2012, so my memory may be a bit foggy on just how much climbers trail each combo has, but I would feel confident in saying that when it comes to class 2, Shav-Tab is well within the expectation. I know a few posts have come off perhaps harsh, but I would say to the OP that your experience on Shav-Tab should be what you expect of a class 2 14er route and that future class 2 routes, you should plan on being similar. When people are not used to talus field, they tend to use their hands a lot for balance, that does not make a route jump a class as you are not using your hands for upward mobility. Class 2 talus can be large and blocky and sometimes rather unstable so the occasional hand-plant certainly helps you feel more stable, which is also why many people like trekking poles on class 2 routes. Good luck with your future climbs, hope this was helpful.

[AyeYo]

There's nothing over class 2 about that saddle. You can walk the entire thing. Yes, there's some large rocks you might need to hop down, but that's literally the definition of class 2:

Class 2: Simple scrambling, with the possibility of occasional use of the hands

Even the Tabegauche west ridge is rated class 2 and involves far, far more hand use near the summit than anywhere on the S/T saddle. That one I think is an incorrect rating.