Alpinist, I am here on a temporary position that ends this week. I would be game to grab a beer sometime this week if you like- but it has to be my treat to celebrate your accomplishment! Unfortunately, I only just realized that you were in Chicago! If you like, I think you can message me through summitpost.

Here's a question:

If someone has been climbing the Eastern highpoints, and you wanted to give them a taste of bigger things out West without scaring them off, what Western mountain(s) would you start with?

After our last trip Cypress is talking about doing Denali as soon as possible and before we think about that I want to get her used to, and excited about, the Western climbs.

I was thinking Wheeler is a pretty great day hike, that's the only Western one I have actually done. But Whitney, Hood, Guadalupe all seem exciting yet pretty easy. I was even thinking of taking her up Granite via the southwest couloir if anyone has done that.

What do you guys think?

GEM Trail wrote:Here's a question:

If someone has been climbing the Eastern highpoints, and you wanted to give them a taste of bigger things out West without scaring them off, what Western mountain(s) would you start with?

After our last trip Cypress is talking about doing Denali as soon as possible and before we think about that I want to get her used to, and excited about, the Western climbs.

I was thinking Wheeler is a pretty great day hike, that's the only Western one I have actually done. But Whitney, Hood, Guadalupe all seem exciting yet pretty easy. I was even thinking of taking her up Granite via the southwest couloir if anyone has done that.

What do you guys think?

If your plan is to increase the difficulty level slowly for Cypress, then I think the easiest western HPs to start with are White Butte, Harney, Black Mesa, Humphreys, Guadalupe and Wheeler. All are pretty easy day hikes and scenic.

Boundary, Elbert, Borah and Whitney can also be done as day hikes but add a level of difficulty. Kings is usually done as an overnighter but is also not that difficult. It's just a long hike (and scramble)...

Granite and Gannett are much more difficult than the others and usually require multi-day trips and some technical skill to climb.

Hood and Rainier are ideal glacial climbs to prep for Denali. (There's also a glacier on Gannett.) i think you should take her up some additional glaciated peaks or on a couple of other winter mountaineering trips before attempting Denali though. She should get plenty of winter mountaineering experience before heading to Denali. Elbert in winter makes for a great practice trip. Perhaps try Shasta or one of the other big peaks in the Cascades too.

I would not start with Elbert, it's pretty hard...took 2 tries and the long hike above the treeline over multiple fake summit is not easy.

I did Humphrey in winter as my first western peak, then I did Wheeler in May, both are beautiful half-day hike where you can feel the altitude. Guadalupe is an amazing place but not hard at all.

I plan on doing Granite SW Couloir this August and Boudary in early December, will report back.

I climbed Elbert in winter when the approach is longer due to the road closure. As a low lander, I opted to camp 1 night around tree line. Even though it is just a hike, it is harder than Harney, Black Mesa, etc., due to the distance and altitude. It also took me 2 attempts; I was turned back by high winds on my first attempt and ran out of time... (Had a plane to catch.)

Thanks so much to everyone for your thoughts. Who knows how things will play out, we may be able to do multiple states on our first trip, but I am grateful to you guys for sharing the knowledge.

I have to admit little interest in starting her on Borah, Elbert or Boundary as they just don't seem that fun. And Ranier and Gannet are obviously too hard. Granite is probably too hard as well, but I am intrigued....

Sm0421, I am very curious about that SW couloir route up Granite. It seems strange that in most ways it seems like an easier climb than the standard route yet very few choose it. I can't wait to hear your experience. I am sure you already know that splattski (sp?) did a trip report on that route with suggestions for tweaking the route slightly. If not, definitely read it and look at his map!

The long approach and rough terrain are what make Granite so difficult. Unless you are superhuman and plan to do it as a day hike (not advised), you'll be carrying both camping gear and climbing gear. There are no groomed trails on the FTD Plateau. It is VERY rough country.

Heavy packs + rough terrain + 16 mile approach = very challenging.

IMO, both Gannett and Granite are more difficult than Rainier because of the long approach combined with the necessity to bring climbing gear.

Also, I'm not sure what the approach is for the SW Couloir but I don't think you can access it from the FTD Plateau. That approach could be even worse.

Don't underestimate this climb. Granite Peak is not easy!

Got my first highpoints of the year with a MD, PA, WV weekend. trip report below

http://www.summitpost.org/an-alleghany-weekend/798509


I'll be hitting up Alabama next month, and then Arizona in September which will get me to 25.

Nice job, Jow. Sorry about your car, but as you said, highpointing is a great way to find places you would otherwise never see!

As a side note, building on what Jow said, isn't it interesting how rural America is filled with funny church slogans? I am often impressed at the wordplay on church signs. Not that it ever tempts me to go inside...

Best of luck Catamount. Sorry about Hood but you will live to climb another day. We are all cheering you on for Ranier!

I agree with Alpinist.. Gannett & Granite are harder than Rainier b/c of the long approach & technical aspect. I found Boundary peak to be harder than Rainier in a way too because it is a steep (miserable) scramble up loose scree.

Wow, Catamount, I am impressed by your mature perspective.

Good luck on the rest of your summits!

Don't worry...Catamount will be back. Once you get over 40 highpoints you become obsessed. I did Mount Whitney twice and Gannett twice. I have heard numerous accounts of people that had 3 or more attempts on Gannett, Granite, Rainier, and Hood. A 50 highpoint completer was recognized at the Oregon Konvention for reaching 50 HPS on his 5th try of Denali. Good luck Mark. Will be thinking of you and wishing you good weather and safe climbs.

You sure covered a lot of ground! Well done Zodis!

Listening to catamount and others something strikes me about highpointing, and climbing in general.

It's about the journey more than the destination.

If you could fly me in a helicopter to the top of Denali, it would mean very little. But the skill it takes to climb and the way you get there is what it's all about.

My kid and I are dragging this thing out, trying to find other local destinations en route to the high points. Sometimes I think we are stupid to not just climb them all as fast as possible. But you guys remind me that it is about the trip more than the trophy.