La Plata Peak Trip Report 09/05/2024

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	La Plata Peak - 14,344 feet
Date Posted	09/05/2024
Date Climbed	08/31/2024
Author	nickcb

Ellingwood Ridge
I recently hiked this route and wanted to give a little info. Early in my walk along the ridge I often diverted off the ridge proper due to the notion that rappels are required to stay true to the ridge. This may be true to stay absolutely ridge proper, but I would say that if you are comfortable with 4th and low 5th class downclimbing you can find ways off most pinnacles along this ridge without a rope or the need to drop super low along the east side. As I went along I decided to stay on the ridge best I could and found it far more enjoyable. I found the rock on the ridge far more stable than the loose side hilling required to bypass the harder sections of the ridge needed to keep this at class 3. I will note that if you are not comfortable with exposure or or 4th/low 5th class downclimbing it is best to stay off the ridge as described on 14ers.com. Bottom line, if you have time on your side and enjoy more technical scrambling give the ridge/ridge adjacent a shot! Anyway just my two cents. 7.5hrs, 10.4 miles Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Ellingwood Ridge

I recently hiked this route and wanted to give a little info. Early in my walk along the ridge I often diverted off the ridge proper due to the notion that rappels are required to stay true to the ridge. This may be true to stay absolutely ridge proper, but I would say that if you are comfortable with 4th and low 5th class downclimbing you can find ways off most pinnacles along this ridge without a rope or the need to drop super low along the east side. As I went along I decided to stay on the ridge best I could and found it far more enjoyable. I found the rock on the ridge far more stable than the loose side hilling required to bypass the harder sections of the ridge needed to keep this at class 3. I will note that if you are not comfortable with exposure or or 4th/low 5th class downclimbing it is best to stay off the ridge as described on 14ers.com. Bottom line, if you have time on your side and enjoy more technical scrambling give the ridge/ridge adjacent a shot! Anyway just my two cents.

7.5hrs, 10.4 miles

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

daway8

Nice!
9/6/2024 11:58am

I've thought about repeating this route some day staying more ridge proper than I did the first time now that I've gotten more comfortable on class 5 than I was at the time...

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