scgrant - Nov 30, 2015 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
Capitol Peak
Waking up to a good coating of new snow on Capitol was a beautiful albeit intimidating site from my camp site. My buddy Greg rolled into camp sometime in the middle of the night and we got started hiking around 8 am. We caught up to several parties once above Capitol Lake on the ridge towards K2. They were all turning back after looking at the snow covered knife edge. We carefully proceeded and worked our way up to the top. A couple other groups followed in our footsteps. Awesome hike and tremendous views on this crystal clear day.
Kessler - Oct 29, 2015 11:13 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Climbed 14,130 ft. Capitol Peak located in the Elk Range, known as Colorado's toughest 14er. Started around 2 AM from the Capitol Creek trailhead and hiked on the ditch trail over 7 miles to reach Capitol Lake. At 4:30 AM was within 50 feet of a black bear while hiking in the dark, but luckily the bear ran away. Started climbing the northeast ridge route up the K2/Mt. Daly saddle around 6AM and negotiated my way slowly up towards 13er K2. After summiting K2 at 9:30 AM I downclimbed class 4 rock onto the K2/Capitol Peak saddle. From here I had to cross the infamous "Knife Edge", the crux of the route. The Knife Edge is a exposed rock section with 3000 ft. cliffs on each side. After the knife edge I had to climb class 3/4 exposed rock sections and gain a ridge to reach the summit. Most of this climbing was dangerous, a fall in these sections would be the end. Some of the rock slabs were loose, and climbers above could accidentally kick rocks onto climbers below. I made the summit of Capitol Peak at 1100 AM. Unfortunately the only way down was back the way I came up. Plenty of exposed rock to downclimb. Rocks were plummeting down the sides of the mountain as I slowly made my way back towards K2. It was slow going. In one day, 17 miles completed with 5,300 ft. of elevation gained. The climb took about 15 1/2 hours. Glad to be done with Capitol Peak. It was a beautiful hike and climb but it was dangerous. 14er #32!
DanielL - Oct 2, 2014 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2014
14er Finisher!
Long, hard day but one of the best climbs I've done to date! This was my 14er finisher and there couldn't have been a better peak to finish on.
Ken Dammen - Sep 27, 2014 3:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2014
Final 14er
This was my final Colorado 14er. climbed with Dustin Kelly. The most difficult of them all in my opinion.
Sarah Simon - Jul 28, 2014 12:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2014
Standard from Capitol Lake
This peak really is everything you can ask for in a Colorado mountain: power and grace from afar, burly and physical close up. I thought the most technically challenging move was the slabby flake step coming off K2. Knife edge definitely got my attention, but as they say - at least it's solid, unlike most of the rest of the mountain. Stuck just below the ridge leaving the Daly saddle - some down sloping spookiness for sure! Returned via the basin which still held plenty of snow - ax certainly put to use! The stanky cattle made me run for brisket in Aspen afterward - out of revenge I suppose. Nasty, but they're plenty timid if you just tell them to get the $&@! Out of the way! Jaimee rocked it today!
gnarsify - Apr 2, 2014 4:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2008
Standard Route - 1 day push
One day push with my younger brother. Great day overall!
Backpacked up and camped near the lake. Despite a little rain early in the morning, we were able to summit. The kinfe edge was a lot of fun but not that difficult, the scetchy part comes after that.
Senad Rizvanovic - Aug 5, 2013 8:28 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2013
Great mountain.
Great mountain, great climb, ridge was sweet!
dandrew - Aug 4, 2013 2:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2013
A late start would have been better
Backpacked in through the rain on Aug. 1st. Started the climb at about 5:30 a.m. on the 2nd. Clouds soon rolled in. Made it to K2 and waited a while before deciding to turn back, not wanting to to do final approach in fog and damp rock. With our luck, of course, the skies began to clear about a half hour after beginning descent. Turned into a nice day after that. Will have to go back.
Woodie Hopper - Aug 3, 2013 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2013
Capitol Creek, trail run
Solo. Was able to run most of the way to and from Capitol Lake, climbed before going in to work at Aspen Valley Hospital. I was surprised there were so many people on the route today. K2 was fun: classic view of Capitol. I thought the "Knife Edge" was not very intimidating, but I'd never try it if it were wet. Route finding afterwards was tricky at times.
solo dayhike from Capitol Creek which was a beautiful trailhead. One of the most scenic approaches with the peak. The cows were a nuisance and unexpected!! Gorgeous area, minus the cows. I'm afraid of cows. Scrambling was great and keeps you on your toes. Scenic knife edge. Had the whole peak to myself!
milan - Oct 21, 2012 5:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2012
Exposed
I climbed this mountain the day before I left Colorado, it was probably the best way to say good bye to the Rockies.
I like it on top - Aug 27, 2012 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2012
Standard Route
A great night at Capitol Lake, leading to a fun and successful summit. Great weather for a climb.
PhenomenalWoman - Aug 18, 2012 5:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
Almost Doesn't Count
A late start and fatigue hampered efforts to reach the summit before the afternoon storms rolled in, leaving us 50 feet from success. The boulder field was excrutiating and I took a tumble on the way back to camp that gashed my hip, bruised my knee, and left my entire foot below the ankle purple....that said - I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS PEAK! Without a doubt the most fun I've had on any mountain. The Knife Edge was incredible and I can't wait to go back and try for the summit again.
er185005 - Aug 9, 2012 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2012
#5
Great solo climb up standard route.
cftbq - Aug 5, 2012 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
the last hard one
Standard route. Long day. A long-anticipated accomplishment. Fourteener #51.
scgrant - Nov 30, 2015 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
Capitol PeakWaking up to a good coating of new snow on Capitol was a beautiful albeit intimidating site from my camp site. My buddy Greg rolled into camp sometime in the middle of the night and we got started hiking around 8 am. We caught up to several parties once above Capitol Lake on the ridge towards K2. They were all turning back after looking at the snow covered knife edge. We carefully proceeded and worked our way up to the top. A couple other groups followed in our footsteps. Awesome hike and tremendous views on this crystal clear day.
Kessler - Oct 29, 2015 11:13 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Capitol9-5-2010
Onager - Sep 7, 2015 2:29 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2015
Capitol Peak NE RidgeClimbed 14,130 ft. Capitol Peak located in the Elk Range, known as Colorado's toughest 14er. Started around 2 AM from the Capitol Creek trailhead and hiked on the ditch trail over 7 miles to reach Capitol Lake. At 4:30 AM was within 50 feet of a black bear while hiking in the dark, but luckily the bear ran away. Started climbing the northeast ridge route up the K2/Mt. Daly saddle around 6AM and negotiated my way slowly up towards 13er K2. After summiting K2 at 9:30 AM I downclimbed class 4 rock onto the K2/Capitol Peak saddle. From here I had to cross the infamous "Knife Edge", the crux of the route. The Knife Edge is a exposed rock section with 3000 ft. cliffs on each side. After the knife edge I had to climb class 3/4 exposed rock sections and gain a ridge to reach the summit. Most of this climbing was dangerous, a fall in these sections would be the end. Some of the rock slabs were loose, and climbers above could accidentally kick rocks onto climbers below. I made the summit of Capitol Peak at 1100 AM. Unfortunately the only way down was back the way I came up. Plenty of exposed rock to downclimb. Rocks were plummeting down the sides of the mountain as I slowly made my way back towards K2. It was slow going. In one day, 17 miles completed with 5,300 ft. of elevation gained. The climb took about 15 1/2 hours. Glad to be done with Capitol Peak. It was a beautiful hike and climb but it was dangerous. 14er #32!
DanielL - Oct 2, 2014 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2014
14er Finisher!Long, hard day but one of the best climbs I've done to date! This was my 14er finisher and there couldn't have been a better peak to finish on.
Ken Dammen - Sep 27, 2014 3:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2014
Final 14erThis was my final Colorado 14er. climbed with Dustin Kelly. The most difficult of them all in my opinion.
Sarah Simon - Jul 28, 2014 12:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2014
Standard from Capitol LakeThis peak really is everything you can ask for in a Colorado mountain: power and grace from afar, burly and physical close up. I thought the most technically challenging move was the slabby flake step coming off K2. Knife edge definitely got my attention, but as they say - at least it's solid, unlike most of the rest of the mountain. Stuck just below the ridge leaving the Daly saddle - some down sloping spookiness for sure! Returned via the basin which still held plenty of snow - ax certainly put to use! The stanky cattle made me run for brisket in Aspen afterward - out of revenge I suppose. Nasty, but they're plenty timid if you just tell them to get the $&@! Out of the way! Jaimee rocked it today!
gnarsify - Apr 2, 2014 4:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2008
Standard Route - 1 day pushOne day push with my younger brother. Great day overall!
mtmanchris83 - Nov 27, 2013 5:34 pm
Great time with great friendsBackpacked up and camped near the lake. Despite a little rain early in the morning, we were able to summit. The kinfe edge was a lot of fun but not that difficult, the scetchy part comes after that.
MadGrad96 - Nov 1, 2013 8:11 am
CapitalA fun mountain!
Senad Rizvanovic - Aug 5, 2013 8:28 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2013
Great mountain.Great mountain, great climb, ridge was sweet!
dandrew - Aug 4, 2013 2:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2013
A late start would have been betterBackpacked in through the rain on Aug. 1st. Started the climb at about 5:30 a.m. on the 2nd. Clouds soon rolled in. Made it to K2 and waited a while before deciding to turn back, not wanting to to do final approach in fog and damp rock. With our luck, of course, the skies began to clear about a half hour after beginning descent. Turned into a nice day after that. Will have to go back.
Woodie Hopper - Aug 3, 2013 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2013
Capitol Creek, trail runSolo. Was able to run most of the way to and from Capitol Lake, climbed before going in to work at Aspen Valley Hospital. I was surprised there were so many people on the route today. K2 was fun: classic view of Capitol. I thought the "Knife Edge" was not very intimidating, but I'd never try it if it were wet. Route finding afterwards was tricky at times.
CO classic for sure!
Daria - Jul 29, 2013 4:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2013
Scenic, fun outingsolo dayhike from Capitol Creek which was a beautiful trailhead. One of the most scenic approaches with the peak. The cows were a nuisance and unexpected!! Gorgeous area, minus the cows. I'm afraid of cows. Scrambling was great and keeps you on your toes. Scenic knife edge. Had the whole peak to myself!
Hyadventure - Jul 11, 2013 4:26 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2013
Big A$$ Day HikeUsed the Capitol Creek Ditch Trail. Loved the knife edge, hated the loose face below the summit..
astroclimber - Jul 6, 2013 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2010
Great teamGreat team of climbers
milan - Oct 21, 2012 5:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2012
ExposedI climbed this mountain the day before I left Colorado, it was probably the best way to say good bye to the Rockies.
I like it on top - Aug 27, 2012 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2012
Standard RouteA great night at Capitol Lake, leading to a fun and successful summit. Great weather for a climb.
PhenomenalWoman - Aug 18, 2012 5:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
Almost Doesn't CountA late start and fatigue hampered efforts to reach the summit before the afternoon storms rolled in, leaving us 50 feet from success. The boulder field was excrutiating and I took a tumble on the way back to camp that gashed my hip, bruised my knee, and left my entire foot below the ankle purple....that said - I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS PEAK! Without a doubt the most fun I've had on any mountain. The Knife Edge was incredible and I can't wait to go back and try for the summit again.
er185005 - Aug 9, 2012 10:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2012
#5Great solo climb up standard route.
cftbq - Aug 5, 2012 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
the last hard oneStandard route. Long day. A long-anticipated accomplishment. Fourteener #51.