South Maroon Peak Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 137
xskier77

xskier77 - Jun 13, 2004 7:50 pm

Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: June 12, 2004  Sucess!

Got on trail from out campsite at 4:00am. The snow in the couloir was nice and hard and great for crampons. Going up the couloir was very exciting espencially when a rock fell from above about the size of a basketball and came sailing down the couloir as a very fast pace. Thankfully I was not in it's path. The climb from the top of the couloir to the summit of South Maroon was very interesting and different from any other 14er I'd been on.

DaveC

DaveC - May 21, 2004 9:32 pm

Route Climbed: se standard Date Climbed: july 02  Sucess!

not as nasty as its rep vis a vis loose rock, but 10 grueling hours, and a real knee burner coming down. met and fell in with 3 other climbers that day. nice place, the elks. my 51st 14er.

sbkelley

sbkelley - May 12, 2004 3:18 pm

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 2002  Sucess!

The toughest part of the whole thing was that brutal 2,000-foot climb up to the ridge after having done the North Bell the day before. After that, it's good fun scrambling.

gunnersmith

gunnersmith - Apr 18, 2004 8:53 pm

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 20, 2003  Sucess!

Very fun climb. There is a little route finding necessary, but cairnes are everywhere. Actually, there were too many. This was part of a backpacking trip on the 4 pass loop.

Kane

Kane - Aug 12, 2003 8:12 am

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 8-12-2003  Sucess!

Sure, the route seems long, but what do you expect from such a complex mountain. When you arrive at the start of the south ridge and look up at the remainder of the route it should be no surprise that it going to take some time. If clouds are beginning to build this is your time to get off the mountain for their are no escape routes once you head off onto the ridge. I thought the route finding on this mountain was an absolute blast and the views from the summit are some of the best I have ever viewed.



I would consider this mountain to be more loose than Pyramid-don't be an idiot, wear a helmet. Hiking up the steep grassy benches to gain the south ridge-I had two experiences with rock missles flying past my route at around 60-70 mph. Pyramid has more sustained climbing and has a lot more exposure.

RyanS

RyanS - Jul 21, 2003 11:32 am

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 19, 2003  Sucess!

We ascended the South Ridge and then were off to North Maroon via the traverse.

ctruscot - Jul 14, 2003 7:17 pm

Route Climbed: the class3 route Date Climbed: July 2003  Sucess!

Way too long - goes on forever. This would be better as a snow climb up one of the couloirs in the spring!

climberkjp

climberkjp - Oct 22, 2002 12:38 pm

Route Climbed: Southeast Couloir Date Climbed: July 8, 2000  Sucess!

A fun couloir climb topping out at a little over 40 degrees. Started too late, though, and paid dearly with it - an open bivy in the rain tied to a tree. Enchanting, aren't they?

KWANZOR - Oct 15, 2002 7:21 pm

Route Climbed: S. Ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 2000  Sucess!

Obey the turnaround time rule! We got to the top about 30 minutes after the time we had originally set and got

new wave hair-dos! By the way has anyone seen my wire frame Julbos that I wildly flung into the air during my unusually FAST descent?!

rmjwinters

rmjwinters - Oct 5, 2002 9:24 pm

Route Climbed: Traverse from N. Maroon Date Climbed: July 29 1999  Sucess!

Tough traverse and terrible rock. The descent down the south ridge was even worse. Slippery, slippery, slippery.

Matt Mahoney

Matt Mahoney - Aug 3, 2002 8:38 pm

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 29 2002  Sucess!

Traversed south to north with Scott B. Sunny and hot all day. The approach on the ridge seems to go on forever, but it is very well marked with cairns and never harder than class 3. 10 hours car to car.

climbcolorado

climbcolorado - Jun 8, 2002 8:15 pm

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 6/8/02  Sucess!

Everything the guide books say about this peak is true. You need good route finding skills, it is dangerous and the rock is loose! I did enjoy the climb even with all it's downfalls!

coloradoclimber

coloradoclimber - May 27, 2002 10:59 am

Route Climbed: Bell Cord Coulior, North to South Traverse Date Climbed: May 26, 2002  Sucess!

Awesome climb, snow conditions were good, not another soul on the route! The traverse was easier than I was expecting after all the "horror stories". I would definately reccomend it. Pics coming soon!

sidhayes - Sep 30, 2001 12:01 pm

Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 9-17-2001  Sucess!

I have climbed the peak several times before but not on this route. At a cairn, on the west Maroon Pass trail, just before a creek crossing, the trail, yes, there is a trail, climbs steeply up to the ridge and then to the summit. Not nearly as difficult as the books say. It took me about 2 hours round trip from the west Maroon trail.

theplugger

theplugger - Aug 29, 2001 9:42 pm

Route Climbed: South Ridge from Maroon Lake Trailhead Date Climbed: 7/8/94  Sucess!

This was a hard climb for me. I sure hated it compared to North Maroon...very steep and loose rock. I mainly remember getting back to the car totally exhausted, too tired to even think of eating.

Peter Eliassen

Peter Eliassen - Aug 23, 2001 8:13 pm

Route Climbed: Standard West Maroon Route Date Climbed: 8/18/01  Sucess!

Great climb...but a brutal descent. I loved the last few hours of the technical climb...but coming down is horrible on your knees, feet.

miztflip

miztflip - Aug 9, 2001 2:13 pm

Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: May 5, 2001  Sucess!

What a cool climb. Not another person on the mountain.

Viewing: 1-20 of 137
Return to 'South Maroon Peak' main page