2007: This was a great introduction to winter mountaineering for me. It was a long day though at 9 hours.
Update: 04/18/2010: First 14er ski descent. Good times.
I took the Northeast Ridge. It was such a great time for me. I was a bit nervous beforehand, I have to admit. Here I am after paying a lot of money to get out here, and a lot of people knowing I'm attempting this, so I had to make them proud. It was a tough hike, it's no "walk-up." It's just so darn steep. There was maybe 8 of us out there that day. After awhile I attached myself to this couple that was also out there. It was just so awesome for me when we got to the top. It was incredible! Somebody screwed the summit register thing on too tight! Nobody could open it! Urg! Colorado is an amazing place!
Nice steady climb from the Northeast Ridge. Met up with James C for the climb. Saw a few Marmots too. I have to say that Elbert has been my most fun 14er yet and tts a really relaxed climb.
Chad Couch - Jul 16, 2007 11:49 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
South Elbert Trail
Hiked with Ian. 6:00 A.M. start. Up in 3.5 hours, down in 2.5. Beautiful day on Colorado's highest peak.
Camped at treeline at the base of this route. Beautiful area, only saw a couple guys on 4-wheelers on the road on the hike in. Otherwise, complete solitude til the summit. Weathered out a thunderstorm at night in my bivy sack but skies cleared up nicely. The ridge isn't too difficult, just lots of crappy rotten rock. Test every rock before you put your weight into it be ready to hop to the next one when it moves. A dozen or so people on the summit at 9 in the morning. Definately more exciting than the yawner standard routes and a chance to get away from the mobs trodding up the east side of the mountain.
A day to remember on 7-7-7! I wasn't sure I would finish this one due to a late start the day after completing Mt Yale. Turned out to be a beautiful day as the storms waited til late afternoon.
MollyL - Jul 1, 2007 8:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
First Solo
3rd 14er, 1st solo climb. Met lots of cool people on the trail - a special thanks to the nice couple that took a picture of me at the summit when my camera stopped working!!
scvanm - Jun 30, 2007 12:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
S Mount Elbert Trail. 17th
Got number 17. Had great weather but I lived to regret my lack of pre-hike workouts. I was sore for 5 days!!! Had a great father son trip with my son CJ. We used the trail from the South East (South Mount Elbert Trailhead). I am glad we used te 4wd to cut off some of the distance.
Alaska Mt Man - Jun 29, 2007 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2007
North Trail
Beautiful day - little wind and blue skies (until afternoon)!
rkymtn - Jun 25, 2007 11:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2007
Mt. Elbert Trail
My wife and I climbed with our dog to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. It was an easy hike that was perfect for the hound. The day was absolutely gorgeous with warm temps and little wind at the summit. We stayed on top for quite a while to take in the views and enjoy the morning.
2skinners - Jun 22, 2007 5:50 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2007
HP #5 Solo Climb (2nd of 4 highpoints in 3 days)
This was by far my favorite of the 4 highpoints I did on my long trip. The others were New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The scenery was absolutely amazing with near perfect weather to boot.
Panthera uncia - Jun 17, 2007 6:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2003
Standard route
twas an enjoyable hike.
Jim Carr - Jun 15, 2007 2:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 1994
Northeast Ridge
Early season attempt. We were able to glissade much of the way down. Fun.
mountainloverCO - May 25, 2007 12:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
Enjoyable Hike
This was an enjoyable, easy walk-up with nice views of the Sawatch and Elk ranges from the summit. My only complaint would be the throngs of people streaming up and down the two main routes. Try this one on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
blackcoffee - Jul 26, 2007 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 1988
standard routeeasy walk up, nice weather.
Jerry S - Jul 25, 2007 7:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Standard RouteNice hike from the end of the 4wd rd. 3.5hrs up, 2 down, lunch by 1:00 in Leadville.
astrobassman - Jul 25, 2007 11:13 am
My first winter 14er2007: This was a great introduction to winter mountaineering for me. It was a long day though at 9 hours.
Update: 04/18/2010: First 14er ski descent. Good times.
dp - Jul 24, 2007 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2007
NE ridge19th 14'er for me, and 8th for Spencer the dog. We topped out at 10:30 and met lots of nice people (and their dogs, too!) on the way.
TLP - Jul 23, 2007 5:09 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
My first Colorado mountainI took the Northeast Ridge. It was such a great time for me. I was a bit nervous beforehand, I have to admit. Here I am after paying a lot of money to get out here, and a lot of people knowing I'm attempting this, so I had to make them proud. It was a tough hike, it's no "walk-up." It's just so darn steep. There was maybe 8 of us out there that day. After awhile I attached myself to this couple that was also out there. It was just so awesome for me when we got to the top. It was incredible! Somebody screwed the summit register thing on too tight! Nobody could open it! Urg! Colorado is an amazing place!
jsorber - Jul 22, 2007 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2007
Beautiful Day HikeGreat day hike and we got buzzed by a military helicopter at the top. Rock on.
peakbaggingaddict - Jul 22, 2007 7:03 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2005
Great climbAfter climbing Mt. Whitney, I became addicted. Climbed with my brother and his dog. Another great climb with incredible views.
taw6644 - Jul 19, 2007 8:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2007
The Highest I have ever beenNice steady climb from the Northeast Ridge. Met up with James C for the climb. Saw a few Marmots too. I have to say that Elbert has been my most fun 14er yet and tts a really relaxed climb.
Chad Couch - Jul 16, 2007 11:49 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
South Elbert TrailHiked with Ian. 6:00 A.M. start. Up in 3.5 hours, down in 2.5. Beautiful day on Colorado's highest peak.
jhansen007 - Jul 15, 2007 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2007
West Ridge from South Halfmoon THCamped at treeline at the base of this route. Beautiful area, only saw a couple guys on 4-wheelers on the road on the hike in. Otherwise, complete solitude til the summit. Weathered out a thunderstorm at night in my bivy sack but skies cleared up nicely. The ridge isn't too difficult, just lots of crappy rotten rock. Test every rock before you put your weight into it be ready to hop to the next one when it moves. A dozen or so people on the summit at 9 in the morning. Definately more exciting than the yawner standard routes and a chance to get away from the mobs trodding up the east side of the mountain.
heather14 - Jul 14, 2007 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
Great DayPerfect day for a hike!
Midlife Mountaineer - Jul 8, 2007 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
PerfectA day to remember on 7-7-7! I wasn't sure I would finish this one due to a late start the day after completing Mt Yale. Turned out to be a beautiful day as the storms waited til late afternoon.
MollyL - Jul 1, 2007 8:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
First Solo3rd 14er, 1st solo climb. Met lots of cool people on the trail - a special thanks to the nice couple that took a picture of me at the summit when my camera stopped working!!
scvanm - Jun 30, 2007 12:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2007
S Mount Elbert Trail. 17thGot number 17. Had great weather but I lived to regret my lack of pre-hike workouts. I was sore for 5 days!!! Had a great father son trip with my son CJ. We used the trail from the South East (South Mount Elbert Trailhead). I am glad we used te 4wd to cut off some of the distance.
Alaska Mt Man - Jun 29, 2007 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2007
North TrailBeautiful day - little wind and blue skies (until afternoon)!
rkymtn - Jun 25, 2007 11:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2007
Mt. Elbert TrailMy wife and I climbed with our dog to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. It was an easy hike that was perfect for the hound. The day was absolutely gorgeous with warm temps and little wind at the summit. We stayed on top for quite a while to take in the views and enjoy the morning.
2skinners - Jun 22, 2007 5:50 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2007
HP #5 Solo Climb (2nd of 4 highpoints in 3 days)This was by far my favorite of the 4 highpoints I did on my long trip. The others were New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The scenery was absolutely amazing with near perfect weather to boot.
Panthera uncia - Jun 17, 2007 6:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2003
Standard routetwas an enjoyable hike.
Jim Carr - Jun 15, 2007 2:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 1994
Northeast RidgeEarly season attempt. We were able to glissade much of the way down. Fun.
mountainloverCO - May 25, 2007 12:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
Enjoyable HikeThis was an enjoyable, easy walk-up with nice views of the Sawatch and Elk ranges from the summit. My only complaint would be the throngs of people streaming up and down the two main routes. Try this one on a weekday to avoid the crowds.