About 10 years ago, in my late 40s, I hiked to the top of Mt. Hope via the standard route. There was one spot where I had to reach and haul myself up. That felt like climbing rather than hiking and so unnerved me I ended up taking the North ridge back down, which was a slog but did not feel dangerous.
Around the same time I hiked almost to the top of North Apostle. I turned around shortly before the saddle between North Apostle and Ice Mountain because my dog got injured. Without my dog I feel like I would have made it.
A few days ago I made it to the top of Aetna via the SSW ridge (probably should have taken the SSE ridge which looked easier once I was already committed). That was loose scree with a feeling I could have slid down the mountain without being exhaustingly careful. I would not have wanted to re-trace my steps back down (I continued over Mt. Taylor to get back down to my starting point).
So, my question: how does Grizzly Peak compare with North Apostle, Hope and Aetna in terms of exposure (falling or sliding to my death/serious injury)?
North Apostle, Mt. Hope, Mt. Aetna: Grizzly Peak
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jsf80238
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Ed_Groves
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Re: North Apostle, Mt. Hope, Mt. Aetna: Grizzly Peak
I assume you are talking about the centennial Grizzly Peak at 13,997 feet. If so, I don't see any problems with feeling like you could slide to your death unless you just get way off route. I climbed this just a month ago on my first day at elevation after arriving from Missouri. After you cross the basin and start up through the rocks toward the ridge it is pretty loose, but you aren't going to be in horrific danger. Once on the ridge it is a pretty nice hike to the summit though I wasn't a fan of the loose area depicted in photo 12 of the East Ridge Route so I went up on the gendarme a bit to avoid the loose class 2 below. I thought the summit was awesome with some mild scrambling. Upon my descent I actually took the loose class 2 depicted in photo 12. It was no problem going down with trekking poles. I haven't climbed the others you mentioned yet.
Last edited by Ed_Groves on Tue Sep 01, 2026 7:31 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"Education is the process of moving from cocksure ignorance to thoughtful uncertainty." (Utvich)
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jsf80238
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