Chicken Out Ridge was fun (as long as I didn't look down too much).
Above the standard snow on the ridgeline (past COR) there were a couple snow drifts on the trail. You could skirt around them or use an ice axe, although earlier in the day the ice was frozen very solid so my axe wasn't much more than a walking stick on the way up.
There were a couple of times during the last scramble (up and down) where I thought a helmet might be a good idea. Lots of loose rocks and exposure.
A quick side note: I was on COR before I realized that I had left my food in the car. If the gentleman that hooked me up with a snack on the summit reads this: thank you again!
Great hike with beautiful views on a beautiful day. The "chicken out ridge" really isn't that bad. There was still some snow on the route, and an ice axe came in handy in a spot or two.
June 18, 2011 - We badly underestimated conditions on this ascent. You know you're underprepared when you find yourself on steep snow wearing trailrunners. Visibility on the summit was zero. Summited in 4:11, and 7:06 roundtrip.
June 30, 2001 - A relatively short but steep hike on a perfect day in June. Treking poles really would have come in handy to save punishment to the knees on the descent. Biggest mistake of the hike was forgetting insect repellent, since the mosquitos were incredibly thick and ruthless. Other than that the hike wasn't too difficult. We were a little nervous about chicken-out ridge after reading a few of the scare-stories, but it turned out to be pretty tame - we weren't even certain we were on it until we reached the snowbridge and realized it was already over. The ridge has some exposure, but with any kind of scrambling experience most people should find it no big deal. Hiking times were 4h55m up and 3h45m down.
SawtoothExplorer - Jun 19, 2011 2:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2011
Standard Route
Mixed snow conditions. Very Windy and cold. Even got a little snow storm on the way back through COR just to make it interesting.
yadahzoemtn - Jun 1, 2011 8:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
Chicken Out Ridge-The Best!
First climb was with Michael, Kimberly and Anne. We had a great time making our way across chicken out Ridge, wishing the fun would never end. We had a calm day and spent time on the summit reciting or rather, trying to recite poetry. Second successful summit on July 24, 2010 with Brent and Jans. American flag on top. Once again a great time had by all. #3 8-30-2013 Touched to have my son on this trip. This is his first Western State Highpoint. Hope we have many more together.
Iron Hiker - Mar 29, 2011 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2000
One of my most important climbs!
A memorable summer of 2000, ended with this climb of Borah via Chicken-Out Ridge after spending a week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. My altitude record for 9 years until I climbed Mount Agassiz in the Sierra Nevada.
Bikclmb - Mar 29, 2011 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2010
Standard Route
3rd time on the summit, poured the night before and in the morning but cleared up during the day.
Climbed with MontanaChris. Got a late start but still managed to make awesome time. Good weather, great views. The down climb towards the bottom is a thigh burner.
summitseeker208 - Mar 11, 2011 1:36 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2000
Route Climbed: Main Trail
I tried this hike when I was in scouts. I was relatively inexperienced when I first tried this peak. Part of the group we were with left us at the treeline. I made it to the top of COR, but the smaller group that stayed with us decided to turn back, so we didin't summit. Every time I try to go back to do it again, something happens right before we leave and I can't make it to the mountain.
Define "successful." I hiked 1/3 of the way up this beautiful mountain on a clear, gorgeous day last July. I stopped because the thought "F*** this" came to my tired mind. So ... my friend and I hiked to a spot where we saw a great open view and dined on cheese, crackers, and cold water. What a great hike!
Great climb in perfect fall conditions. Chicken Out Ridge was definitely the best part. Steep hike and the descent was a quad burner. Great views for miles around
My son & I had just started to descend when we met a guy we had seen earlier on COR. We stopped and talked to him for about 10 minutes. He was dressed in jeans,tshirt and wore Timberline work boots. The rest of his party turned around on COR (after alot of arguing & swearing). He decided to proceed on his own. We met him around 2pm, and he still had about an hour to get to the top. I thought it was cool that a 70yr old, cancer survivor was hiking one the more challenging peaks I have done. We told him we would let his party know that he was doing well and that he expected to be down before sunset, which my son did. I was surprised when I read Woundedknee's log that SAR had to rescue him and so was my son when I told him. Hopefully the guy will tackle peaks like Mt. Sunflower in the future.
voxnihili - Jul 10, 2011 9:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2011
Beautiful Day Above IdahoChicken Out Ridge was fun (as long as I didn't look down too much).
Above the standard snow on the ridgeline (past COR) there were a couple snow drifts on the trail. You could skirt around them or use an ice axe, although earlier in the day the ice was frozen very solid so my axe wasn't much more than a walking stick on the way up.
There were a couple of times during the last scramble (up and down) where I thought a helmet might be a good idea. Lots of loose rocks and exposure.
A quick side note: I was on COR before I realized that I had left my food in the car. If the gentleman that hooked me up with a snack on the summit reads this: thank you again!
asaking11 - Jul 9, 2011 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2011
Top of IdahoGreat hike with beautiful views on a beautiful day. The "chicken out ridge" really isn't that bad. There was still some snow on the route, and an ice axe came in handy in a spot or two.
Joseph Bullough - Jun 20, 2011 8:39 am
Two ascentsJune 18, 2011 - We badly underestimated conditions on this ascent. You know you're underprepared when you find yourself on steep snow wearing trailrunners. Visibility on the summit was zero. Summited in 4:11, and 7:06 roundtrip.
June 30, 2001 - A relatively short but steep hike on a perfect day in June. Treking poles really would have come in handy to save punishment to the knees on the descent. Biggest mistake of the hike was forgetting insect repellent, since the mosquitos were incredibly thick and ruthless. Other than that the hike wasn't too difficult. We were a little nervous about chicken-out ridge after reading a few of the scare-stories, but it turned out to be pretty tame - we weren't even certain we were on it until we reached the snowbridge and realized it was already over. The ridge has some exposure, but with any kind of scrambling experience most people should find it no big deal. Hiking times were 4h55m up and 3h45m down.
SawtoothExplorer - Jun 19, 2011 2:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2011
Standard RouteMixed snow conditions. Very Windy and cold. Even got a little snow storm on the way back through COR just to make it interesting.
yadahzoemtn - Jun 1, 2011 8:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
Chicken Out Ridge-The Best!First climb was with Michael, Kimberly and Anne. We had a great time making our way across chicken out Ridge, wishing the fun would never end. We had a calm day and spent time on the summit reciting or rather, trying to recite poetry. Second successful summit on July 24, 2010 with Brent and Jans. American flag on top. Once again a great time had by all. #3 8-30-2013 Touched to have my son on this trip. This is his first Western State Highpoint. Hope we have many more together.
Iron Hiker - Mar 29, 2011 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2000
One of my most important climbs!A memorable summer of 2000, ended with this climb of Borah via Chicken-Out Ridge after spending a week on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. My altitude record for 9 years until I climbed Mount Agassiz in the Sierra Nevada.
Bikclmb - Mar 29, 2011 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2010
Standard Route3rd time on the summit, poured the night before and in the morning but cleared up during the day.
MtMtnHiker - Mar 14, 2011 12:59 am
Great ClimbClimbed with MontanaChris. Got a late start but still managed to make awesome time. Good weather, great views. The down climb towards the bottom is a thigh burner.
summitseeker208 - Mar 11, 2011 1:36 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2000
Route Climbed: Main TrailI tried this hike when I was in scouts. I was relatively inexperienced when I first tried this peak. Part of the group we were with left us at the treeline. I made it to the top of COR, but the smaller group that stayed with us decided to turn back, so we didin't summit. Every time I try to go back to do it again, something happens right before we leave and I can't make it to the mountain.
Ilafan - Mar 8, 2011 7:46 pm
Fat and oldDefine "successful." I hiked 1/3 of the way up this beautiful mountain on a clear, gorgeous day last July. I stopped because the thought "F*** this" came to my tired mind. So ... my friend and I hiked to a spot where we saw a great open view and dined on cheese, crackers, and cold water. What a great hike!
CastillejaMiniata - Feb 23, 2011 2:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2010
Perfect day.Perfect, cloudless day of summit. Camped near "treeline" and got a start at a comfortable hour for me. Fun scrambling, beautiful arid landscape.
Scarp172 - Jan 4, 2011 7:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2008
Standard routeThis was our first 12'er. It was a great day with perfect weather.
ZeeJay - Dec 19, 2010 7:22 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2000
CrowdedI hope to never again climb this peak on a Saturday.
mansfieo - Dec 19, 2010 5:15 am
Always funHave done Borah a few times and always have a great time!!
jmatthys - Oct 22, 2010 10:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2003
Good DayWhile spending my summer working for the Forest Service
jamesmc2 - Sep 30, 2010 5:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2010
The big spud!Great climb in perfect fall conditions. Chicken Out Ridge was definitely the best part. Steep hike and the descent was a quad burner. Great views for miles around
maxhaze - Sep 29, 2010 3:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 1994
longTook a while but fun.
Winex - Sep 15, 2010 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2009
SAR DudeMy son & I had just started to descend when we met a guy we had seen earlier on COR. We stopped and talked to him for about 10 minutes. He was dressed in jeans,tshirt and wore Timberline work boots. The rest of his party turned around on COR (after alot of arguing & swearing). He decided to proceed on his own. We met him around 2pm, and he still had about an hour to get to the top. I thought it was cool that a 70yr old, cancer survivor was hiking one the more challenging peaks I have done. We told him we would let his party know that he was doing well and that he expected to be down before sunset, which my son did. I was surprised when I read Woundedknee's log that SAR had to rescue him and so was my son when I told him. Hopefully the guy will tackle peaks like Mt. Sunflower in the future.
4020man - Sep 12, 2010 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2010
Great Views!Great hike! COR is a lot of fun and really not that difficult. Climbed with climbinmandan and had a beautiful day at the summit.
bsubronco40 - Sep 2, 2010 12:52 am
SummitThis was my first major summit. Climbed with schlek and the downhill destroyed our knees.