Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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Granted, sometimes the best beta is to be had in the comments, bu saying MP does NOT have good alpine beta is ridiculous.
As far as guide books go, Richard Rossiter is releasing a new RMNP alpine guide that will supposedly be a comprehensive guide to ice, mixed and alpine for the whole park (except Lumpy). This book will be released by Sharp End some time this late spring or early summer. The Levin guide to Eldo that Sharp End published is top notch, so I can only hope the new Rossiter guide will be as quality.
Last edited by Dave B on Wed Mar 06, 2013 2:59 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I can't believe more people don't suggest Dawson's Guide to the Colorado Fourteeners. I like Roach's books (I own pretty much all of them), but for scrambling/technical/snow climbing I use Dawson's. I love those guides.
I still like summitpost, especially for scrambling routes. MP doesn't have a lot of scramblers, but typically if I'm looking to rope up I'll go to MP.
If you're looking to climb mountains other than just the 14ers (which I would highly recommend - many many more and a lot of character), you're not really going to find a book that covers the entire state, more likely you'll have to buy a guide specific to a region/wilderness.
There are the Cooper guide books (Colorado Scrambles and Colorado Snow Climbs), which others have suggested, but you're gonna burn through the routes he covers in no time. Then what? Each time I pick up one of those books I keep hoping that I missed some sweet route every one of the three hundred or so times I've read through them... But alas, I didn't. Maybe next time though... Now I have to check.
Dave B wrote:saying MP does have good alpine beta is ridiculous.
I know right??? Makes perfect sense! Glad to hear you agree
Lemke Climbs The Pacific Coast to the Great Plains = My Playground
"Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping"
"When you come to face what you fear, let the creator guide you"
Re: your edit, these mtns continue to get heavier and heavier use. There are always plenty of high places for scrambling - but any efforts to avoid increased 'braiding' are definitely appreciated. Use of trails when possible helps to keep from damaging these areas that we all enjoy.
Matt Lemke wrote:Mountainproject actually does a poor job describing alpine routes...no matter how technical they may be. It is mainly a cragging site at which it is a fantastic resource. Summitpost isn't that great for alpine technical climbing either but it is slightly better in the sense that it has WAY more photos to look at for beta.
MP is a GREAT resource for all types of technical climbing. I spend so much time researching things there I'm surprised my company hasn't blocked the website yet. And if you can't find the info you need in the route description or the comments, the forums on MP are very helpful as well.
"I found that nothing truly matters, that you cannot find for free." - The Gaslight Anthem
Thanks again for all your help. I just received the 14ers book by Roach. Its really informative. I will be using a multitude of the resources that have been suggested along with many online pages with photos, trip reports, and other material. I already have a small check list of climbs I would like to do. Climbs like Wham Ridge, South Face on Petit Grepon, and the Sharkstooth.
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction and I hope to see some of you in the hills!