Northwest Ridge

Overview

Mount Borah has a rich history and many key players from that history speak fondly of the Northwest ridge. If you are interested in avoiding crowds, an approach that's less than 2 hours, thousands of feet of hands on easy climbing, all in a wild setting, you'll discover that the Northwest ridge is the funnest and best route on the peak. 

When to Climb

The Northwest ridge has been climbed in winter and would be a grand adventure for anyone aspiring to be an alpine climber. In late spring (April, May, June) the route would have styrofoam snow drifts in the low spots. The ideal season is summer and early fall, (July, August, early September) because the route is free of snow, is in the shade (cooler temps) until noon. Don't count on water being available in the creek after late July, so 2 to 3 liters of water are recommended. 

Getting There

Begin at the standard trail head parking lot at base of the Southwest ridge. Hike up the trail for 30 minutes or so until you reach the first saddle at 8,700 feet. At this point leave the main trail and hike cross country north by northeast heading down hill. After 10 to 15 minutes a steep ravine (slope) will tell you that you're on the right track. Before dropping down into the steep slope, hike East (right) along the lip till you find a game trail that drops down into the creek bottom. Hike up the creek bed till you reach the confluence of two seasonal creeks. From the confluence you should be able to see Chicken Out ridge at the very top of the canyon and see the bottom apron of the Northwest ridge leading up to rock outcrops above tree line. Head up hill, keeping the Chicken Out ridge drainage on climber’s right, past the tree line, and climb exposed rock starting at 9,400 to the summit.

Route Description

Most of the ridge is 3rd class scrambling with intermittent rock climbing (much like Chicken Out Ridge, but for several thousand feet.) When there is technical rock climbing, it only lasts for 10 feet or so, and even then it’s easier than 5.5 and there are scrambling options around the technical sections. Expect multiple false summits, lots of scrambling, occasional down climbing, and some short steep rock climbing. It would be difficult to find anything harder than 5.5 climbing. All spires can be skirted to the west (climber’s right). Several times you might be intimidated by a steep wall of rock far above, but as you get closer to it, solutions present themselves. Much of the rock is solid and full of handholds once you clear away loose surface gravel. Expect every gulley to be full of loose cobble stones.

Essential Gear

Long sleeves and pants are recommended. WEAR GLOVES WHILE CLIMBING. The texture of the rock is sharp and more abrasive than a pumice stone.  Abundant low angle (some slab) climbing, and the rock doesn't lend itself to protection very often. For the above reasons, a rope is not recommended for climbing the Northwest Ridge. For most technical climbing parts, there is always a side pull available, but it might come off in your hand. The bigger the rock you’re using the better. It's best to pull straight down on rock in the Lost River Range, and stand directly on top of any foot hold. This route has a lot of lose rock, so wear a helmet and avoid large groups of people. Leave the rock climbing shoes in the car; approach shoes are perfect for this all day climb.

History

Mike Howard

Lyman Dye and I started up it in 1971 but had route finding issues coming out of Rock Creek and made it above the traverse saddle before running out of time. I had heard of a possible ascent by Bill Echo but never had it confirmed by him.

In December 1976 my brother Vaughn and I climbed to the pass between Rock Creek and the west bowl.  This bowl lies below you when you climb the Southwest ridge route. From this pass we climbed the North West ridge and then descended the West Face into the bowl and out to the present parking lot. It was a cold but beautiful day. While climbing the ridge we talked about using the same approach to drop into the North face bowl.

Before you get to the current trailhead the road comes around a point of the foothills. We parked our car at that point and climbed up the Foothills into the West face drainage staying to our left which would basically skirt the lower part. Von went to the right which goes up into the West face and I went to the left meeting at the Y which is above for these two ridges come together above the Traverse saddle. Then we continued from that point together on up over the summit and then descended the West face coming down through the West face bowl and back out to our car.

First Winter Ascent - Vaughn Howard