Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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lukePlumley wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 4:19 pm
Excellent first ascent everyone!
On another note, LoJ shows 51 remaining unclimbed ranked peaks in Colorado (by members). Of those, only perhaps 7 are unclimbed because of technical difficulty. This creative ascent shows that maybe anything is possible for those too.
Thanks for posting that list, Ben, really interesting. One factor that jumps out for some unclimbed peaks is accessibility. The first Chimney Rock entry is a monument, iffy access/closure although I recall coming across an old article (1950's??) that it had been climbed. I think it's now off limits, but that's a guess. East Toe, the Towaoc and Tanner Mesa peaks I believe are on the Hopi Reservation, my recollection is they are not inclined to grant access, at least not without a Hopi guide. Could be wrong on that. Fwiw, I won't trespass on a Native American reservation, just me.
The East Toe is on the Ute Mountain Ute reservation south of Cortez CO
I heard stories in the 80’s that it had been climbed but no information other than it had been bolted.
I will take a picture of it the next time I am in the area.
"Rocks, mountains, snow and ice: what more do we desire?" - Reinhard Karl
“I breathed in the air on the summit and liked it better than the air below.”
Thanks for the congrats and praise everyone! We are stoked! I started writing a report today, hoping to have it finished and posted tomorrow or the next day. As far as first ascents go, the ranked unclimbed peaks are sweet but don't forget about unclimbed desert towers! They are beautiful, technical and so rewarding! Maybe more so than the unclimbed peaks. We saw about 5 super cool ones that we walked right past. Most of them just as hard or harder than 5710. I don't have time to go back until next spring probably but I'll post pics of them in my report and I highly recommend you all go back there and check them out! Not to mention all of the unclimbed towers in Utah Arizona and New Mexico too! Have fun!
paulbarish wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 11:05 pm
As far as first ascents go, the ranked unclimbed peaks are sweet but don't forget about unclimbed desert towers! They are beautiful, technical and so rewarding! Maybe more so than the unclimbed peaks. We saw about 5 super cool ones that we walked right past. Most of them just as hard or harder than 5710.
Knowles Canyon is full of towers for sure.
It's not unclimbed, but this one is probably the most spectacular one anywhere in that area and is in the canyon just to the east:
I think it's one of the most spectacular towers anywhere. Maybe check it out if it suits you. Upper Mee Canyon has a lot of towers too and they are probably unclimbed.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
paulbarish wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 11:05 pm
As far as first ascents go, the ranked unclimbed peaks are sweet but don't forget about unclimbed desert towers! They are beautiful, technical and so rewarding! Maybe more so than the unclimbed peaks. We saw about 5 super cool ones that we walked right past. Most of them just as hard or harder than 5710.
Knowles Canyon is full of towers for sure.
It's not unclimbed, but this one is probably the most spectacular one anywhere in that area and is in the canyon just to the east:
I think it's one of the most spectacular towers anywhere. Maybe check it out if it suits you. Upper Mee Canyon has a lot of towers too and they are probably unclimbed.
That one has been on my mental list for a little while and I'd love to climb it one day! Looks magnificent and in a beautiful area! Have you done it yet Scott?
paulbarish wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 11:05 pm
As far as first ascents go, the ranked unclimbed peaks are sweet but don't forget about unclimbed desert towers! They are beautiful, technical and so rewarding! Maybe more so than the unclimbed peaks. We saw about 5 super cool ones that we walked right past. Most of them just as hard or harder than 5710.
Knowles Canyon is full of towers for sure.
It's not unclimbed, but this one is probably the most spectacular one anywhere in that area and is in the canyon just to the east:
I think it's one of the most spectacular towers anywhere. Maybe check it out if it suits you. Upper Mee Canyon has a lot of towers too and they are probably unclimbed.
That one has been on my mental list for a little while and I'd love to climb it one day! Looks magnificent and in a beautiful area! Have you done it yet Scott?
Sebastian already flew to the top. I gave him Skrat juice.
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paulbarish wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 11:05 pm
As far as first ascents go, the ranked unclimbed peaks are sweet but don't forget about unclimbed desert towers! They are beautiful, technical and so rewarding! Maybe more so than the unclimbed peaks. We saw about 5 super cool ones that we walked right past. Most of them just as hard or harder than 5710.
Knowles Canyon is full of towers for sure.
It's not unclimbed, but this one is probably the most spectacular one anywhere in that area and is in the canyon just to the east:
I think it's one of the most spectacular towers anywhere. Maybe check it out if it suits you. Upper Mee Canyon has a lot of towers too and they are probably unclimbed.
That one has been on my mental list for a little while and I'd love to climb it one day! Looks magnificent and in a beautiful area! Have you done it yet Scott?
I couldn't climb that one now days (if ever?). I'll leave it for the good climbers. Every time I float Ruby Horsetheif though, I hike up to the tower just to admire it. I have also backpacked in there from the top end. It's such a cool tower. The tower across from it (The Garston Trout) is on my wish list. It's also neat tower, but no where near as spectacular as the Arch Tower. It is however, much easier to climb. It would still be plenty hard for me though.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
I think it's one of the most spectacular towers anywhere. Maybe check it out if it suits you. Upper Mee Canyon has a lot of towers too and they are probably unclimbed.
That one has been on my mental list for a little while and I'd love to climb it one day! Looks magnificent and in a beautiful area! Have you done it yet Scott?
I couldn't climb that one now days (if ever?). I'll leave it for the good climbers. Every time I float Ruby Horsetheif though, I hike up to the tower just to admire it. I have also backpacked in there from the top end. It's such a cool tower. The tower across from it (The Garston Trout) is on my wish list. It's also neat tower, but no where near as spectacular as the Arch Tower. It is however, much easier to climb. It would still be plenty hard for me though.
