The Dives Basin Route on SP avoids hazardous areas on Little Giant Peak, created by mining activity over 100 years ago. The light colored talus is the result of the mining. It was dug up from the mountain and poured down the slope in the search for precious ores and metals, including silver and gold. Mining tunnels run underneath the surface and can cave in suddenly, as evidenced by three large sinkholes on the mountain.

The Dives Basin Route avoids these hazardous areas by contouring the tundra seen here from the right to the small couloir located just beneath the gray summit (right). The tundra is very steep here. Climb up Class 3 rock on the right side of the couloir, or, from about 40 feet up, climb directly up the couloir. Once out of the couloir, climb right, then ascend left to the summit on talus and scree.

Click on the image for a detailed view.

San Juan Mountains, Fall, 2006.

Digital photo by Aaron Johnson