And not the last! This was a great summit, unbelievable views, and beautiful weather also. Only the downclimb off COR made me even slightly nervous, the rest is just fun scrambling. Only 4 people on the mountain for this mid-week climb.
With MountainHikerette. Started at 4:05 am, got to Chicken Out Ridge at 8:00, summit just before 10:00, left top 10:35. Back down around 3:10. There seems to be multiple possible lines on Chicken Out Ridge. There is some real exposure in places. Other spots have some loose stuff. There are usually a lot of holds, but be sure to test them.
punchline - Sep 2, 2013 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2013
No snow on the snowbridge.
A lot steeper than I thought but the notes on SP that we read beforehand were actually pretty accurate. Another account indicated that once you leave timberline the trail was "brutally steep!" HAHA I laughed at that when I read it but wasn't laughing when I got there! No snow on the snowbridge and no issues on COR. Beautiful day with little wind.
PaulRomano - Sep 1, 2013 8:18 pm Date Climbed: May 5, 2013
Ran out of time
Got a somewhat late start for the day and my group decided that we'd set a 1pm cutoff for turning around. We were a bit below chicken-out ridge before hitting the cutoff, so it wasn't destined to be. Weather was fantastic and views were incredible nonetheless!
utahjimk - Sep 1, 2013 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
windy!
no snow to chicken out on! with WMC group lead by Dennis G.. distant views somewhat obscured by wildfire smoke. 2nd time: 12 Sept 2014 - unlimited visibility on this day! (again with Dennis' WMC group).
yadahzoemtn - Sep 1, 2013 12:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
We didn't chicken out
Windy but fabulous. My son made this his first Western State Highpoint. Touched my heart to have him with me on this journey to the top. My third visit.
technicolorNH - Aug 20, 2013 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2013
short but steep
My first class four action on an exposed ridgeline. Definite pucker factor. I did not guess the correct path over the final bottleneck on Chickenout Ridge and went right onto the scree slope to bypass it and only saw the way through once I was on the other side. Like some others have said, go directly over it. Oh well. Only added like thirty minutes and on the way back it was easy. Four hours and thirty minutes up, two hours and fifty minutes down. The guy who beat everyone to the top had a torn meniscus last year. It clearly did not slow him down this year.
reboyles - Aug 20, 2013 9:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2013
30 Times
I first climbed Borah in 1973 when I was 20. I just made my 30th ascent at 60. I wasn't the first to the top but I was first to get down. I passed everyone on the mountain on my descent and was sitting in a chair with an ice cold Sierra Nevada watching people stumble through the gate at the finish line.
utahguy058 - Aug 18, 2013 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
I was lied to!!!
All you hear about is chicken out ridge, chicken out ridge, chicken out ridge... Well chicken out ridge was a lot of fun! I loved it. It took me 4 hours and 45 minutes to get up this mountain. Part of that was spent on a bottleneck to downclimb onto the "snow bridge" There was no snow this year. The final assent up the face was so steep, loose rock. That part gutted me. No one warns you about this part. I am letting my ego slide here! However I totally took that mountain "like a criminal" 8 hours round trip. These are incredibly rugged and gorgeous mountains. Would love to come back and explore some more. Totally worth it in the end.
PrinceOfNorway - Aug 18, 2013 12:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Bellidge on Borah
I burned to the top in 3.5 hours. It was one of my strongest hikes. Anyway, chicken out ridge is a ton of fun! I never felt scared nor was I ever overwhelmed. If you are use to class 3 you will love this section as I and Utah Guy did.
grimbley - Aug 6, 2013 1:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2002
Unfortunate
Quite the steep hike but worth it. Unfortunately I did not reach the top as I became sick and decided to turn around shy of 11,000.
gringoloco - Aug 4, 2013 10:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2013
Boy Scouts on Borah
Took a party of 13 Boy Scouts (14-17 years old) and leaders to the summit. Brought ropes along in case boys were feeling nervous along chicken out ridge, but they just flew up the ridge and didn't have time to look anywhere but up. Made it up in 5 hours and total time on the mountain was 8.5 hours. First time these boys were above 12,000 feet. Fun and challenging mountain!
Was passing through Idaho and decided what the heck. Physical climb, but nearly all Class 2 besides "Chicken Corner" (short and not that bad if you are used to it, tricky with moderate exposure if not) and the top if avoiding the scree walk. Even talking to people cruised up in 2.5hrs- after 30 miles and climbing Fremont in Titcomb over the weekend.
We made it about 1/3 of the way up Chicken-Out Ridge (by my estimation and a couple successful hikers) before it got to be too much for the lady-friend. Ah, well. Now I know her comfort zone; we will both be back, and she will accompany me as far as that last bivy shortly before COR.
We chatted with an Americorps group who had done trail work for over 15 days, planning to take the following day to finally summit after spending all that time below treeline. If you are reading this, thank you for your work and I hope you made it!
Summited with my son Jared and friends Andy and Drew. My fourth summit on Borah now. We roped the teenagers up on the top of COR and across the snow bridge. The down climb was the only part they were a little worried about. They climbed back up just fine. Made it up in 4.5 hours. Not bad for a couple of teens and (getting) old men.
7/7/2013 We climbed via the standard Southwest (Chicken Out) Ridge route. We arrived at the Borah trailhead/ campground Saturday night and spent the night there. We were on the trail at 4 am Sunday morning, and reached the summit at just after 7:30 am. Spent close to a half hour on top taking in the amazing views and enjoying very pleasant, wind free, morning temperatures. After a quick hike out we were on the road back to Salt Lake at 10:40 am. Awesome mountain and an amazing experience.
apachedino - Jun 19, 2013 5:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2013
Nice early season summit
Added this trip on to the tail end of a family reunion as I was in the area. Made it up in about 3.5 hours. There was one other large group that were belaying young ones through chicken out ridge and were looking to take all day if they did. Good thing the days are long this time of year. Some hard snow traverses after chicken out that will melt out in a week or so and were soft on the way back, but I used an ice ax on the way to the summit. Crystal clear day and could see several ranges away in all directions.
alisha - Jun 14, 2013 2:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2011
Borah
A fun, straightforward climb. Went with my sister who has very little backpacking experience and no climbing experience, and she powered through Chicken Out Ridge without any hesitation. Only two other people on the mountain that day and the weather conditions were perfect. The evening after our summit it snowed at the top, which I guess is to be expected in October. Car battery died and with no cell service or any other campers, we had to hike out to the highway early in the morning and hitch a ride into Challis with a truckdriver to find someone going back that way who could give us a jump. A good lesson to check to make sure all your doors are fully closed.
MaverickMerk - Jun 12, 2013 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2010
Mount Borah via Southwest Ridge
Great climb with my Dad. First major summit for me, and what fun it was. Started early, finished late, enjoyed all of it.
AjaxHiker - Sep 12, 2013 6:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2013
First climb in Idaho...And not the last! This was a great summit, unbelievable views, and beautiful weather also. Only the downclimb off COR made me even slightly nervous, the rest is just fun scrambling. Only 4 people on the mountain for this mid-week climb.
MountainHikerCO - Sep 2, 2013 7:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2013
Nice DayWith MountainHikerette. Started at 4:05 am, got to Chicken Out Ridge at 8:00, summit just before 10:00, left top 10:35. Back down around 3:10. There seems to be multiple possible lines on Chicken Out Ridge. There is some real exposure in places. Other spots have some loose stuff. There are usually a lot of holds, but be sure to test them.
punchline - Sep 2, 2013 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2013
No snow on the snowbridge.A lot steeper than I thought but the notes on SP that we read beforehand were actually pretty accurate. Another account indicated that once you leave timberline the trail was "brutally steep!" HAHA I laughed at that when I read it but wasn't laughing when I got there! No snow on the snowbridge and no issues on COR. Beautiful day with little wind.
PaulRomano - Sep 1, 2013 8:18 pm Date Climbed: May 5, 2013
Ran out of timeGot a somewhat late start for the day and my group decided that we'd set a 1pm cutoff for turning around. We were a bit below chicken-out ridge before hitting the cutoff, so it wasn't destined to be. Weather was fantastic and views were incredible nonetheless!
utahjimk - Sep 1, 2013 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
windy!no snow to chicken out on! with WMC group lead by Dennis G.. distant views somewhat obscured by wildfire smoke. 2nd time: 12 Sept 2014 - unlimited visibility on this day! (again with Dennis' WMC group).
yadahzoemtn - Sep 1, 2013 12:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
We didn't chicken outWindy but fabulous. My son made this his first Western State Highpoint. Touched my heart to have him with me on this journey to the top. My third visit.
technicolorNH - Aug 20, 2013 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2013
short but steepMy first class four action on an exposed ridgeline. Definite pucker factor. I did not guess the correct path over the final bottleneck on Chickenout Ridge and went right onto the scree slope to bypass it and only saw the way through once I was on the other side. Like some others have said, go directly over it. Oh well. Only added like thirty minutes and on the way back it was easy. Four hours and thirty minutes up, two hours and fifty minutes down. The guy who beat everyone to the top had a torn meniscus last year. It clearly did not slow him down this year.
reboyles - Aug 20, 2013 9:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2013
30 TimesI first climbed Borah in 1973 when I was 20. I just made my 30th ascent at 60. I wasn't the first to the top but I was first to get down. I passed everyone on the mountain on my descent and was sitting in a chair with an ice cold Sierra Nevada watching people stumble through the gate at the finish line.
utahguy058 - Aug 18, 2013 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
I was lied to!!!All you hear about is chicken out ridge, chicken out ridge, chicken out ridge... Well chicken out ridge was a lot of fun! I loved it. It took me 4 hours and 45 minutes to get up this mountain. Part of that was spent on a bottleneck to downclimb onto the "snow bridge" There was no snow this year. The final assent up the face was so steep, loose rock. That part gutted me. No one warns you about this part. I am letting my ego slide here! However I totally took that mountain "like a criminal" 8 hours round trip. These are incredibly rugged and gorgeous mountains. Would love to come back and explore some more. Totally worth it in the end.
PrinceOfNorway - Aug 18, 2013 12:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Bellidge on BorahI burned to the top in 3.5 hours. It was one of my strongest hikes. Anyway, chicken out ridge is a ton of fun! I never felt scared nor was I ever overwhelmed. If you are use to class 3 you will love this section as I and Utah Guy did.
grimbley - Aug 6, 2013 1:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2002
UnfortunateQuite the steep hike but worth it. Unfortunately I did not reach the top as I became sick and decided to turn around shy of 11,000.
gringoloco - Aug 4, 2013 10:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2013
Boy Scouts on BorahTook a party of 13 Boy Scouts (14-17 years old) and leaders to the summit. Brought ropes along in case boys were feeling nervous along chicken out ridge, but they just flew up the ridge and didn't have time to look anywhere but up. Made it up in 5 hours and total time on the mountain was 8.5 hours. First time these boys were above 12,000 feet. Fun and challenging mountain!
blueshade - Jul 29, 2013 11:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2013
1 day in IdahoWas passing through Idaho and decided what the heck. Physical climb, but nearly all Class 2 besides "Chicken Corner" (short and not that bad if you are used to it, tricky with moderate exposure if not) and the top if avoiding the scree walk. Even talking to people cruised up in 2.5hrs- after 30 miles and climbing Fremont in Titcomb over the weekend.
huskertriguy - Jul 26, 2013 11:36 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2013
Now I Know Her LimitsWe made it about 1/3 of the way up Chicken-Out Ridge (by my estimation and a couple successful hikers) before it got to be too much for the lady-friend. Ah, well. Now I know her comfort zone; we will both be back, and she will accompany me as far as that last bivy shortly before COR.
We chatted with an Americorps group who had done trail work for over 15 days, planning to take the following day to finally summit after spending all that time below treeline. If you are reading this, thank you for your work and I hope you made it!
merrill - Jul 13, 2013 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
Wahoo!Summited with my son Jared and friends Andy and Drew. My fourth summit on Borah now. We roped the teenagers up on the top of COR and across the snow bridge. The down climb was the only part they were a little worried about. They climbed back up just fine. Made it up in 4.5 hours. Not bad for a couple of teens and (getting) old men.
ianc82 - Jul 12, 2013 8:44 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2013
Short and steep!Started around 6:30 am. Made summit around 11:30am. Passed 3 other groups of people on the way up. Amazingly colorful range with increadible views.
scgrant - Jul 7, 2013 7:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2013
Borah Peak7/7/2013 We climbed via the standard Southwest (Chicken Out) Ridge route. We arrived at the Borah trailhead/ campground Saturday night and spent the night there. We were on the trail at 4 am Sunday morning, and reached the summit at just after 7:30 am. Spent close to a half hour on top taking in the amazing views and enjoying very pleasant, wind free, morning temperatures. After a quick hike out we were on the road back to Salt Lake at 10:40 am. Awesome mountain and an amazing experience.
apachedino - Jun 19, 2013 5:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2013
Nice early season summitAdded this trip on to the tail end of a family reunion as I was in the area. Made it up in about 3.5 hours. There was one other large group that were belaying young ones through chicken out ridge and were looking to take all day if they did. Good thing the days are long this time of year. Some hard snow traverses after chicken out that will melt out in a week or so and were soft on the way back, but I used an ice ax on the way to the summit. Crystal clear day and could see several ranges away in all directions.
alisha - Jun 14, 2013 2:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2011
BorahA fun, straightforward climb. Went with my sister who has very little backpacking experience and no climbing experience, and she powered through Chicken Out Ridge without any hesitation. Only two other people on the mountain that day and the weather conditions were perfect. The evening after our summit it snowed at the top, which I guess is to be expected in October. Car battery died and with no cell service or any other campers, we had to hike out to the highway early in the morning and hitch a ride into Challis with a truckdriver to find someone going back that way who could give us a jump. A good lesson to check to make sure all your doors are fully closed.
MaverickMerk - Jun 12, 2013 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2010
Mount Borah via Southwest RidgeGreat climb with my Dad. First major summit for me, and what fun it was. Started early, finished late, enjoyed all of it.