pintlerpro - Dec 28, 2007 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2006
Granite Peak
Nice mountain ready for a winter try.helped two climbers one with a dislocated shoulder and the other with a broken toe on the way down.
wyomtman - Dec 12, 2007 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Next time the Face
Standard route via froze-to-death. Did the long approach in one day and the climb and decent the next, with to good friends, Bill and Kevin. Cruised the route in the smoky haze with no problems.
I don't know what was better - the scenery and solitude of trekking across the Froze to Death Plateau, or the jungle-gym feel of climbing Granite. I loved this peak. The descent down the snowfield was fun, but conditions became a bit icy lower down, so I threw on a pair of crampons. Unfortunately, another climber had seen me glissading, and was trying it himself. The problem was I had an ice axe and he didn't. At one point he lost control, and I saw him slide an alarming distance on his stomach, punching and kicking the snow as he went. Luckily he hit a soft patch that saved his life.
stoltzd - Nov 23, 2007 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
Great way to celebrate my 21st birthday
Took the Mystic Lake route to Avalanche lake (I have since taken the East Rosebud route to Froze-to-Death Plateau and it was much easier) I had a partner until we hit the saddle @ 12:45pm, then went on by myself to free-solo the beautiful mountain. Plan on climbing the mountain in January now.
Bruce S. - Oct 2, 2007 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2007
Route Attempted: SW Couloir
Solo attempt via Sky Top Creek, from Lady of the Lake TH. A long, arduous approach (I estimate about twelve miles), featuring many hours of tedious rock-hopping over endless boulder fields (although I understand the Aero Lakes approach is actually more difficult). I was definitely slowed by inexperience and a too-heavy pack.
Reached the Cairn Mtn./Granite Peak saddle and the base of the SW face of Granite Peak about 10:30 am on August 1, after camping in a spectacular high camp in the upper Sky Top valley, east of the Villard/Pinnacles col and west of Cairn Mtn. Saw snow in my presumed route up to the diamond-shaped slab that guards the hidden SW couloir of Granite Peak, and made the decision that a solo scramble wasn't an acceptable risk. I will be back, lighter, smarter, hopefully not solo, and perhaps via one of the standard approaches.
Enjoyed perfect weather each day, but some rain every evening, including a lightning storm while in my high camp. Once above Lone Elk Lake, drank the water from Sky Top Creek untreated. Did not make it back to the TH on August 1st, instead camping, exhausted, at a beautiful campsite at the confluence of Star and Zimmer creeks.
If solitude is important to you, this may be the best approach to Granite Peak. I’m posting a couple of pictures on the Granite Peak page under SW Couloir route.
lonewolf2401 - Sep 14, 2007 12:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1987
Granite Peak
Hiked up the switchbacks from hell from Mystic solo. Made basecamp at the rock shelters the first night. Great weather and great climb up the standard east ridge. Had cached my pack at the col before summitting, and dropped down Huckleberry drainage for the second night. Bad move in many ways, good in others. The boulder field is the worst I have ever negotiated and camping sites were very limited at Avalanche Lake. The scenery was incredible! The third day, hiked down to Mystic Lake and was very happy I had not used this route on the approach! Since that memorable trip, I have returned to Granite five times, using the Aero Lakes approach to the south face twice. I plan on my seventh trip in 2008 when I will lead a group of friends up. Can't wait! Climb safe and happy trails
mad maximus - Sep 5, 2007 1:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2007
Bummer
Climbed with two friends on FTD. Reached the saddle when clouds started pouring over Tempest. Not enough food for another day, will try again next year.
Relentless heat and sun beat down on us on the open tundra of FTD plateau. Hard to complain, though, when we enjoyed a couple of hours on the summit of a beautiful mountain with nobody else around!
VincePoore - Aug 27, 2007 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
Southwest Couloir Route
Summitted with my friend Corbin from Billings. Neither of us had done this route before. We had three days of great weather as is often a big part of a successful summit. I felt it was a much more difficult approach than FTD. The climbing in the couloir had a few difficult spots especially where there was ice, but the exposure is less severe. We approached Skytop drainage via Rough Lake rather than Aero lakes.
Great day, great weather, great fun. Made the summit with five friends. The snow bridge was quite minimal and the plateau quite dry ... all which made for a nice quick trip.
chugach mtn boy - Jul 22, 2007 3:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2007
E Rosebud & E Ridge
Brought a teenage daughter up while traversing the range from E Rosebud to Cooke. I had last climbed it 8/4/1979. It's still a beautiful and unspoiled peak.
xskier77 - Jul 8, 2007 2:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2007
awesome
Climbed with Bill, Gary, Wayne, Jeff, Gary, Rich, Stan and Jan. The climb was very exciting with sections of 4th class climbing and loads of exposure. I can't wait to do another climb like Granite.
I set this goal sometime during the 04/05 winter and that's how I stumbled upon this fantastic world of SP. In July of 05, I hiked up to FTD and realized I was way out of shape. By 06, I had proved my stamina on Mt Wood and made it to the Tempest/Granite saddle before realizing that to summit from high camp and return to the car in 1 day was impossible for me. Now on this day in '07, seven climbers had planned to summit and I made it farther than all of them. However, in the end I am just too inexperienced to be soloing the entire route and I turned back at the top of the X chimney.
austin.timm - Mar 26, 2007 6:27 am Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2007
FTD Plateau Winter Attempt
Made it seven miles in. Hurricane force wind turned us around just before the plateau. Burly.
aintlifegrand - Mar 23, 2007 6:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2005
2 E Ridge summits, failed N face attemt
Summited twice from FTD, attemted N Face from Huckleberry, turned back at top of glacier (ran out of time) Went all the way from bozeman to top of granite glacier back to bozeman in 2 days (Sat, Sun) That makes for a LONG weekend! Oh yeah, my buddy took a swing at a goat (with an ice axe)in the middle of the night, the goat jumped over me and landed on my other friend. Jabbed him in the back pretty good. That doesnt happen every day!
The edge - Mar 14, 2007 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2003
HP #42
After two unsuccesfull attempts;
Here I am again to tackle THE MONSTER from FTD plateau...
Thank to a group of very experienced rock climbing girls from nearby Billings; I was finally succesful on the top!!
We got showered on by hale on the way down... Very nice climb...
Thanks again girls for all the help...
montana boy - Feb 20, 2007 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2006
std. route
Perfect weather. Met some great folks on the plateau; excellent trip overall.
weeds19 - Feb 20, 2007 9:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2002
Wonderful trip!
This was one of my favorite climbs of all time! I left Ogden UT one afternoon and enjoyed two days of solo climbing and hiking on this remote and rugged peak. I was also hoping to climb Tempest Mtn, but a hail storm forced me to hunker down for a little over an hour and by that point I was about out of daylight. This peak offers some interesting route finding challenges, and I missed the easiest way up while ascending (instead I climbed an easy 5th class chimney). On the way down I was able to find the normal route and I enjoyed an uneventful descent.
Another amazing peak witha if you fall you die routes If i am right ther is not a esy way up this beast .
went Up FTD . when you cam if possible find a out of the wind place and do not be surpsied if it snows on you it did d both afternooos i went !
enjoy and be safe not a easy one if you are doing high points hire a guide if you are not conmfy on exposed Rock
benjohnson - Feb 1, 2007 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
Sweet
Great peak, tons of fun. Got off the peak just in time for the groppel, and to the plateau just in time for lightning strikes (sketchy). Packed up camp and got to the car in the wet darkness that night. Misery. Why do we call this fun again?
pintlerpro - Dec 28, 2007 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2006
Granite PeakNice mountain ready for a winter try.helped two climbers one with a dislocated shoulder and the other with a broken toe on the way down.
wyomtman - Dec 12, 2007 12:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Next time the FaceStandard route via froze-to-death. Did the long approach in one day and the climb and decent the next, with to good friends, Bill and Kevin. Cruised the route in the smoky haze with no problems.
MattGreene - Dec 1, 2007 6:36 pm
Fun!!!I don't know what was better - the scenery and solitude of trekking across the Froze to Death Plateau, or the jungle-gym feel of climbing Granite. I loved this peak. The descent down the snowfield was fun, but conditions became a bit icy lower down, so I threw on a pair of crampons. Unfortunately, another climber had seen me glissading, and was trying it himself. The problem was I had an ice axe and he didn't. At one point he lost control, and I saw him slide an alarming distance on his stomach, punching and kicking the snow as he went. Luckily he hit a soft patch that saved his life.
stoltzd - Nov 23, 2007 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
Great way to celebrate my 21st birthdayTook the Mystic Lake route to Avalanche lake (I have since taken the East Rosebud route to Froze-to-Death Plateau and it was much easier) I had a partner until we hit the saddle @ 12:45pm, then went on by myself to free-solo the beautiful mountain. Plan on climbing the mountain in January now.
Bruce S. - Oct 2, 2007 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2007
Route Attempted: SW CouloirSolo attempt via Sky Top Creek, from Lady of the Lake TH. A long, arduous approach (I estimate about twelve miles), featuring many hours of tedious rock-hopping over endless boulder fields (although I understand the Aero Lakes approach is actually more difficult). I was definitely slowed by inexperience and a too-heavy pack.
Reached the Cairn Mtn./Granite Peak saddle and the base of the SW face of Granite Peak about 10:30 am on August 1, after camping in a spectacular high camp in the upper Sky Top valley, east of the Villard/Pinnacles col and west of Cairn Mtn. Saw snow in my presumed route up to the diamond-shaped slab that guards the hidden SW couloir of Granite Peak, and made the decision that a solo scramble wasn't an acceptable risk. I will be back, lighter, smarter, hopefully not solo, and perhaps via one of the standard approaches.
Enjoyed perfect weather each day, but some rain every evening, including a lightning storm while in my high camp. Once above Lone Elk Lake, drank the water from Sky Top Creek untreated. Did not make it back to the TH on August 1st, instead camping, exhausted, at a beautiful campsite at the confluence of Star and Zimmer creeks.
If solitude is important to you, this may be the best approach to Granite Peak. I’m posting a couple of pictures on the Granite Peak page under SW Couloir route.
lonewolf2401 - Sep 14, 2007 12:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1987
Granite PeakHiked up the switchbacks from hell from Mystic solo. Made basecamp at the rock shelters the first night. Great weather and great climb up the standard east ridge. Had cached my pack at the col before summitting, and dropped down Huckleberry drainage for the second night. Bad move in many ways, good in others. The boulder field is the worst I have ever negotiated and camping sites were very limited at Avalanche Lake. The scenery was incredible! The third day, hiked down to Mystic Lake and was very happy I had not used this route on the approach! Since that memorable trip, I have returned to Granite five times, using the Aero Lakes approach to the south face twice. I plan on my seventh trip in 2008 when I will lead a group of friends up. Can't wait! Climb safe and happy trails
mad maximus - Sep 5, 2007 1:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2007
BummerClimbed with two friends on FTD. Reached the saddle when clouds started pouring over Tempest. Not enough food for another day, will try again next year.
cackalackyclimber - Sep 4, 2007 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2003
Roasting on FTDRelentless heat and sun beat down on us on the open tundra of FTD plateau. Hard to complain, though, when we enjoyed a couple of hours on the summit of a beautiful mountain with nobody else around!
VincePoore - Aug 27, 2007 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2007
Southwest Couloir RouteSummitted with my friend Corbin from Billings. Neither of us had done this route before. We had three days of great weather as is often a big part of a successful summit. I felt it was a much more difficult approach than FTD. The climbing in the couloir had a few difficult spots especially where there was ice, but the exposure is less severe. We approached Skytop drainage via Rough Lake rather than Aero lakes.
granitepeaker - Jul 25, 2007 1:03 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2007
6th SummitGreat day, great weather, great fun. Made the summit with five friends. The snow bridge was quite minimal and the plateau quite dry ... all which made for a nice quick trip.
chugach mtn boy - Jul 22, 2007 3:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2007
E Rosebud & E RidgeBrought a teenage daughter up while traversing the range from E Rosebud to Cooke. I had last climbed it 8/4/1979. It's still a beautiful and unspoiled peak.
xskier77 - Jul 8, 2007 2:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2007
awesomeClimbed with Bill, Gary, Wayne, Jeff, Gary, Rich, Stan and Jan. The climb was very exciting with sections of 4th class climbing and loads of exposure. I can't wait to do another climb like Granite.
VincePoore - Jul 5, 2007 9:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2007
Another step closerI set this goal sometime during the 04/05 winter and that's how I stumbled upon this fantastic world of SP. In July of 05, I hiked up to FTD and realized I was way out of shape. By 06, I had proved my stamina on Mt Wood and made it to the Tempest/Granite saddle before realizing that to summit from high camp and return to the car in 1 day was impossible for me. Now on this day in '07, seven climbers had planned to summit and I made it farther than all of them. However, in the end I am just too inexperienced to be soloing the entire route and I turned back at the top of the X chimney.
austin.timm - Mar 26, 2007 6:27 am Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2007
FTD Plateau Winter AttemptMade it seven miles in. Hurricane force wind turned us around just before the plateau. Burly.
aintlifegrand - Mar 23, 2007 6:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2005
2 E Ridge summits, failed N face attemtSummited twice from FTD, attemted N Face from Huckleberry, turned back at top of glacier (ran out of time) Went all the way from bozeman to top of granite glacier back to bozeman in 2 days (Sat, Sun) That makes for a LONG weekend! Oh yeah, my buddy took a swing at a goat (with an ice axe)in the middle of the night, the goat jumped over me and landed on my other friend. Jabbed him in the back pretty good. That doesnt happen every day!
The edge - Mar 14, 2007 4:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2003
HP #42After two unsuccesfull attempts;
Here I am again to tackle THE MONSTER from FTD plateau...
Thank to a group of very experienced rock climbing girls from nearby Billings; I was finally succesful on the top!!
We got showered on by hale on the way down... Very nice climb...
Thanks again girls for all the help...
montana boy - Feb 20, 2007 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2006
std. routePerfect weather. Met some great folks on the plateau; excellent trip overall.
weeds19 - Feb 20, 2007 9:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2002
Wonderful trip!This was one of my favorite climbs of all time! I left Ogden UT one afternoon and enjoyed two days of solo climbing and hiking on this remote and rugged peak. I was also hoping to climb Tempest Mtn, but a hail storm forced me to hunker down for a little over an hour and by that point I was about out of daylight. This peak offers some interesting route finding challenges, and I missed the easiest way up while ascending (instead I climbed an easy 5th class chimney). On the way down I was able to find the normal route and I enjoyed an uneventful descent.
Rick F - Feb 3, 2007 7:43 pm
Cold and remoteAnother amazing peak witha if you fall you die routes If i am right ther is not a esy way up this beast .
went Up FTD . when you cam if possible find a out of the wind place and do not be surpsied if it snows on you it did d both afternooos i went !
enjoy and be safe not a easy one if you are doing high points hire a guide if you are not conmfy on exposed Rock
benjohnson - Feb 1, 2007 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
SweetGreat peak, tons of fun. Got off the peak just in time for the groppel, and to the plateau just in time for lightning strikes (sketchy). Packed up camp and got to the car in the wet darkness that night. Misery. Why do we call this fun again?