Via the Mountaineer's Route with Doug, Mandi, and Matt. Liz came along for the hike and camping at Saddleback Lakes. The climb was a bit easier than expected. It was mostly 5.7 with a couple moves of 5.8 here and there. The crux was probably close to 5.9 in difficulty. The views in the area are amazing. Can't wait to go back.
SawtoothSean - Jan 15, 2014 11:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Fun times
Chris and I. Good fun day, some challenges. Missed last boat
Tom Fralich - Sep 19, 2010 3:08 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2010
Mountaineer's Route (III 5.8+)
Mary and I climbed this awesome route from a camp at Saddleback Lake. We took the boat across Redfish Lake and hiked to the camp in about 2 hours. Night temperatures were in the 30's, so we got a comfortably late start and were on route at around 10AM. The topo we had was very easy to follow and we made excellent progress, climbing the route in 8 pitches. We screwed up on the descent and ended up having to make many rappels, but we still made it back to camp with daylight to spare. After spending another night, we woke up late and hiked back to the shuttle boat for lunch in Stanley. A great climb in a really beautiful area.
climbinmandan - Jun 26, 2010 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2010
Snowy Summit
Came at it from the east in a bunch of snow with Sam and Barak. The last leg towards the summit was somewhat tricky with all the snow, but made the climb from Saddleback to summit in just under an hour. Great climb!
I seconded as my friend Tony led the Mountaineer's route. It was a blast - Being from PA, we don't get many chances to climb cracks. Of all things, we got cocky at the top and took a class 3 gully towards the summit, feeling there was no need to consult our route descriptions anymore. Well, our gully ended in a 5.10 no-hands traverse. Instead of retreating, we placed some gear and trusted our feet, making it through fine and not needing any caffeine to wake up for the hike and paddle back to our camp.
The Mountaineer's was a great intro to the perch. The Astroelephant might be my favourite climb of all time. Varied climbing. Great position. Route finding challenges. It had it all. The sunrise book had been described early to me as a full on fist fight. Well I got my ass kicked but good. Thank God for AJones. It was an amazing line in a great position. The route really doesn't let up from the first crux on pitch 1 until you top out.
AJones - Nov 11, 2007 6:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2007
Mountaineer's, Astro-Elephant, & Sunrise Book
Climbed the Mountaineer's Route, Astro-Elephant, and the Sunrise Book over 4 days last summer. All great climbs - see my trip report if interested.
Climbed it twice in July a couple of years apart. First time on multi-pitch route in many years. Loved it, missed it then, miss it now. Ahh the problems of old age and fatherhood!
reboyles - Jul 30, 2007 2:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 1985
Beckey Route
We did the original Becky Route. Fantastic climb with great belay ledges the whole way up.
hkutuk - Jul 24, 2006 3:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2006
The Perch, Mounties Route
Climbed this very fun route with Jim on the last day of our four day trip into the Sawtooths in Idaho. The route, the rock, the climbing, the scenery were awesome. Must come back for more. Jim has written a great trip report with the details and lot's of great pictures. Awesome times!
Route Climbed: Mountaineer's Route- 5.8 Date Climbed: August 17, 2002
There were two other parties on the route so it was crowded by Idaho standards. The climbing is clean and great. There are many other climbs of this quality and length in the Sawtooths yet very few no about them- Baron Spire , for example, has an 18 pitch 5.10.
Route Climbed: Mountaineer's Route Date Climbed: May 28, 2005
This is a fantastic route. I, too thought that it made a soft 5.9, but the rock quality and fun exposure was a blast. We did three extra pitches at the end, traversing across snow covered slabs and gullies connected by rock pro, to reach the saddle and the descent gully. We were suprised to see the gully dry so early. Very little snow on the approach. After we got down, got water, made dinner and sat down it rained. And rained. The log crossing was under water when we got to it, so we whacked the bush for a half mile before crossing Redfish Lake Creek. Adventurous hiking. We saw not another soul in the Saddleback Lakes drainage. First time in the Sawtooth's was a success.
McCannster - Aug 1, 2020 10:31 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2020
via Mountaineer's RouteWith Bill Wright. Fun morning romp, climbing was very fun, and easy (~20ft of 5.9, the rest is 5.7 or below). Excellent first Sawtooths experience.
SawtoothSean - Sep 7, 2016 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2016
Missed the BoatBut it was still great! Fun leading the whole thing for the first time. Crux pitch still interesting, but fun.
SawtoothSean - Sep 7, 2016 6:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2016
Fun TimesGood times climbing the Mountaineer's Route!
Garon Coriz - Jul 26, 2016 3:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2016
Second Sawtooth TripVia the Mountaineer's Route with Doug, Mandi, and Matt. Liz came along for the hike and camping at Saddleback Lakes. The climb was a bit easier than expected. It was mostly 5.7 with a couple moves of 5.8 here and there. The crux was probably close to 5.9 in difficulty. The views in the area are amazing. Can't wait to go back.
SawtoothSean - Jan 15, 2014 11:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Fun timesChris and I. Good fun day, some challenges. Missed last boat
Tom Fralich - Sep 19, 2010 3:08 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2010
Mountaineer's Route (III 5.8+)Mary and I climbed this awesome route from a camp at Saddleback Lake. We took the boat across Redfish Lake and hiked to the camp in about 2 hours. Night temperatures were in the 30's, so we got a comfortably late start and were on route at around 10AM. The topo we had was very easy to follow and we made excellent progress, climbing the route in 8 pitches. We screwed up on the descent and ended up having to make many rappels, but we still made it back to camp with daylight to spare. After spending another night, we woke up late and hiked back to the shuttle boat for lunch in Stanley. A great climb in a really beautiful area.
climbinmandan - Jun 26, 2010 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2010
Snowy SummitCame at it from the east in a bunch of snow with Sam and Barak. The last leg towards the summit was somewhat tricky with all the snow, but made the climb from Saddleback to summit in just under an hour. Great climb!
MattGreene - Dec 1, 2007 7:00 pm
1st Big ClimbI seconded as my friend Tony led the Mountaineer's route. It was a blast - Being from PA, we don't get many chances to climb cracks. Of all things, we got cocky at the top and took a class 3 gully towards the summit, feeling there was no need to consult our route descriptions anymore. Well, our gully ended in a 5.10 no-hands traverse. Instead of retreating, we placed some gear and trusted our feet, making it through fine and not needing any caffeine to wake up for the hike and paddle back to our camp.
GCutforth - Nov 30, 2007 1:54 am
Mountaineer's, Astroelephant, and Sunrise BookThe Mountaineer's was a great intro to the perch. The Astroelephant might be my favourite climb of all time. Varied climbing. Great position. Route finding challenges. It had it all. The sunrise book had been described early to me as a full on fist fight. Well I got my ass kicked but good. Thank God for AJones. It was an amazing line in a great position. The route really doesn't let up from the first crux on pitch 1 until you top out.
AJones - Nov 11, 2007 6:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2007
Mountaineer's, Astro-Elephant, & Sunrise BookClimbed the Mountaineer's Route, Astro-Elephant, and the Sunrise Book over 4 days last summer. All great climbs - see my trip report if interested.
Idaho Guy - Sep 12, 2007 2:32 pm
Mountaineer's Route - TwiceClimbed it twice in July a couple of years apart. First time on multi-pitch route in many years. Loved it, missed it then, miss it now. Ahh the problems of old age and fatherhood!
reboyles - Jul 30, 2007 2:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 1985
Beckey RouteWe did the original Becky Route. Fantastic climb with great belay ledges the whole way up.
hkutuk - Jul 24, 2006 3:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2006
The Perch, Mounties RouteClimbed this very fun route with Jim on the last day of our four day trip into the Sawtooths in Idaho. The route, the rock, the climbing, the scenery were awesome. Must come back for more. Jim has written a great trip report with the details and lot's of great pictures. Awesome times!
jtschanz - Jul 10, 2006 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2006
Mountaineers RouteVery fun climb with Haydar. Classic not just because of the climbing, but also the awesome setting above the Saddleback Lakes. Trip report here.
Jolee - Mar 11, 2006 5:56 am Date Climbed: May 30, 2005
Early Season ClimbingA very early season climb for Elephant's Perch. A great climb with bthere, lots of snow up top.
SawtoothSean - Jan 4, 2006 10:00 pm
Route Climbed: Mountaineer's Route- 5.8 Date Climbed: August 17, 2002There were two other parties on the route so it was crowded by Idaho standards. The climbing is clean and great. There are many other climbs of this quality and length in the Sawtooths yet very few no about them- Baron Spire , for example, has an 18 pitch 5.10.
iceisnice - Oct 3, 2005 10:33 pm
Route Climbed: Mountaineers route Date Climbed: Summer '99Pretty stiff climb for a newbie alpine climber. Great rock though. Need to go back and try some other routes. The Sawtooths are spectacular.
b. - May 31, 2005 2:03 pm
Route Climbed: Mountaineer's Route Date Climbed: May 28, 2005This is a fantastic route. I, too thought that it made a soft 5.9, but the rock quality and fun exposure was a blast. We did three extra pitches at the end, traversing across snow covered slabs and gullies connected by rock pro, to reach the saddle and the descent gully. We were suprised to see the gully dry so early. Very little snow on the approach. After we got down, got water, made dinner and sat down it rained. And rained. The log crossing was under water when we got to it, so we whacked the bush for a half mile before crossing Redfish Lake Creek. Adventurous hiking. We saw not another soul in the Saddleback Lakes drainage. First time in the Sawtooth's was a success.