Mount Church Climber's Log

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dawnclymb

dawnclymb - Sep 1, 2023 6:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2023

Incredible Ridgeline Scramble to Church  Sucess!

I approached Church and Donaldson via the North Fork Jones Creek. The hike in is lovely through old growth forest with an active creek still running late in August. We had many creek crossings, but never had to worry about getting our feet wet. I felt really good about my route through the Headwall, and on the ridgeline scramble. The scree was miserable, but the ridge line made up for this completely! We saw pronghorn, and big horned sheep on this hike. This was my 4th and 5th Idaho 12er and my favorite peaks so far.

Tracks here: https://caltopo.com/t/LV8JE5PMGR

rennerkj

rennerkj - Aug 17, 2020 12:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2020

4th 12er!   Sucess!

Climbed this along with Donaldson, this made for a long tiring day, about 11.5 hours. The ridge between Donaldson and Church is a fun exposed scramble. Approached from the N.F. of Jones Cr.

Scrambling Man

Scrambling Man - Aug 27, 2019 6:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2019

Awesome Ridge  Sucess!

Fun ridge climb. Did Donaldson first and then Church. Came in from North Fork of the Jones.

IdahoDaisy

IdahoDaisy - Aug 25, 2019 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2019

LOVE the ridgeline!  Sucess!

My #7th 12er- headwall was not as bad as I thought it would be. Went up the left "blue" route then immediately to the right. Summitted Donaldson first, then over to Church- took us 6 hours to get to summit of Church then 4 hours down to car. I was nervous about this one but it ended up being one of my favorites if not my favorite so far. Ridgeline is just amazing!

LazyJSkwires

LazyJSkwires - Oct 26, 2018 5:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2014

North fork  Sucess!

No snow but lots of scree, nice hike

live4hills

live4hills - Sep 15, 2017 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2017

Son of a b*tch  Sucess!

Started really early d/t threat of weather later. Half way up headwall I didn't care if it stormed, I was summiting because I told myself I was never doing this again! I always thought I'd leave Church undone because of the ridge, but I did it.. 9/9. I may have cried. Got down to the car and the lightning started. Just in time. N. Jones.. so much better then Pete creek!
I guess I have to do it with my daughter, but I'll need a few years to forget the pain and the sprained MCL.

DrGranola

DrGranola - Aug 10, 2017 8:22 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2017

Good Day  Sucess!

Don't like the headwall, love the ridge. Finished the 12ers.

derekperc

derekperc - Aug 3, 2016 12:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2016

North Fork Jones  Sucess!

The cairns along the approach were great. Thanks, fellas!

The wind coming over the saddle was horrendous. Certainly enough to throw me off balance when traversing the ridge crest. It sounds like that's a regular occurence.

3 hours to Donaldson summit, 8 hours car to car with Donaldson & Church

DrGranola

DrGranola - Jun 7, 2016 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2016

North Face  Sucess!

Wet sloppy snow direct up the north face.

Trip report

elcy79.gp

elcy79.gp - Oct 20, 2015 12:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2015

Church #7  Sucess!

Hiked the 2 miles up Jones Ck with Jon and Ryan and made camp around 9,700' - Started around 6am next working and quickly made our way up to Donaldson then across the fun ridge hike to Church.

Went straight when we should have made a right coming down the chute and ended up on a sketchy slope with a lot of steep runout.

Made it down by 3 for a milkshake at Pickles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBvjavL5w28

Michael Tilden

Michael Tilden - Dec 29, 2014 1:44 pm

Idaho winter climbing  Sucess!

Lots of snowshoeing - Fun push to the summit

bhobbs

bhobbs - Feb 20, 2014 1:42 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2010

North Face  Sucess!

Watched skunk ape ski off the face. Gorgeous day.

Deltaoperator17

Deltaoperator17 - Jan 30, 2013 1:32 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2012

Wind Blown...

Great day up North Jones Creek with a good ol bunch (Blue Axe), the snow started to fly and the wind blew us off the SW face of Church, we should have gone via Donaldson, the group made the wrong decision.

Mlasky

Mlasky - Aug 13, 2011 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2001

East Ridge  Sucess!

Originally tried to bag this with Donaldson, but the wind picked up to nasty speeds on the traverse. A truely classic climb.

merrill

merrill - Jul 30, 2011 8:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2011

East Ridge  Sucess!

The ridge was a fun scramble, the scree getting there wasn't. Beautiful day.

IdahoPeakBagger

IdahoPeakBagger - Feb 8, 2011 5:20 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2007

Church  Sucess!

My last Idaho 12,000 foot peak. East ridge via Jones Creek (I went up N. Fork Jones Creek for Donaldson and think the N. Fork was slightly easier approach). Overnighted on the 10,000 ft saddle between N. Fork Jones Crk and Jones Crk on the ascent. Very windy. There are two small ponds above 10,000 feet. Depending on when you climb they may still hold drinkable water. On our climb in mid July the first pond was dry, but the higher pond had water. Ditto the other comments on ridgeline wind and being the most difficult Idaho 12K peak.

Scarp172

Scarp172 - Jan 4, 2011 7:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2009

East ridge  Sucess!

Climbed with Donaldson. It was an extremely windy day, which made the ridgeline a little harrowing. Great climbs though.

montanaboy

montanaboy - Aug 8, 2010 11:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2010

N. Fork Jones Creek  Sucess!

The Indian Paintbrush was outstanding. A Lost River hail storm dished out some punishment on the descent. A thunder symphony was the music of choice as an accompaniment for the hail.

jamesmc2

jamesmc2 - Jul 25, 2010 11:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2010

Great Views

Mt. Church was my 2nd Lost River peak after doing Donaldson. Great views of the entire range and area. The ridge connecting Donaldson and Church is a blast!

boisedoc

boisedoc - Jul 25, 2010 2:31 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2010

final 12er  Sucess!

this was a tough climb. I think clearly it is the hardest Idaho 12er by the easiest route. The ridge is exposed and fun. The miserable scree on the way to the ridge is a nightmare ascending and descending. Surprisingly, there was still a bit of snow to deal with

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