Route Climbed: N. to S. Traverse, descent via S. Ridge Date Climbed: 21 August 2005
With Martin Nagel, his 4th and 5th 14ers. The traverse was a blast -- a bit tough and a bit airy at times, but it's all there, and fairly solid. We had some rockfall from some white-haired, bearded, four-legged mountaineers near the saddle. The descent was really long and not very interesting, but it was a spectacular day nonetheless. The scenery is unparalleled.
Route Climbed: Traverse: S - N Date Climbed: August 6th 2005
I had my first experience with the Maroon Bells today and it turned out to be a perfect day. A friend and I drove to the trailhead last night, slept for a few hours and then started at 3 am. We first climbed South Maroon Peak and reached the summit at 8:30 and then did the traverse to North Maroon and had a wonderful time. Due to some knee problems (my friend always has them and I had a stupid crash on my bike last week and hurt my knee) however, the descent was pretty grueling.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July, 5, 2005
Attempt #2 within 3 days. Got better information and stayed on the standard route this time. Made it to the ridge, but found significant snow in a few places crossing the trail on the other side. The snow was questionable so, we went around as much as possible. Got within 0.16 mi of the summit (per GPS) when I got stopped by snow and a steep climb with a potentially deadly fall as the alternative. My partner made it, while I waited.
This mountain cut and bruised my body, tested my patience, and ended my hiking relationship with my hiking partner, but I'll be back when the snow melts! :)
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 3, 2005
Attempt #1: Lost the trail on the way up the ridge and ended up trying to get on the ridge too far North. Result, got boxed in, in a long gully. Backed out of the gully and headed further South, but it was too late in the day. Good call, about 3 hours later a storm came in.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 31, 2003
Lots of route-finding. The climb was fun mainly due to the route-finding. A member of my team narrowly escaped from being hit by a tumbling rock dislodged by parties higher up. Make sure you wear your HARD HAT! It was raining the previous evening, but had perfect weather on the summit day.
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2001
After a 7 hour climb, three young friends and I reached Maroon's summit on a beautiful sunny day. We prepared a detailed photographic trip report of our climb in which we provide dozens of tips about the route, our equipment list and our conditioning program, and also information about access to the mountain, acclimatization, safety and the route itself. You can access the page at http://maroonclimb.com/ or by going to the link on the Trip Reports page for South Maroon Peak on this site.
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: June 12, 2004
Got on trail from out campsite at 4:00am. The snow in the couloir was nice and hard and great for crampons. Going up the couloir was very exciting espencially when a rock fell from above about the size of a basketball and came sailing down the couloir as a very fast pace. Thankfully I was not in it's path. The climb from the top of the couloir to the summit of South Maroon was very interesting and different from any other 14er I'd been on.
not as nasty as its rep vis a vis loose rock, but 10 grueling hours, and a real knee burner coming down. met and fell in with 3 other climbers that day. nice place, the elks. my 51st 14er.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 2002
The toughest part of the whole thing was that brutal 2,000-foot climb up to the ridge after having done the North Bell the day before. After that, it's good fun scrambling.
millerw05 - Sep 15, 2005 2:24 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast Couloir Date Climbed: June,1986Early morning start and had solid snow pack for an excellent climb and magnificent views.
jwproulx - Sep 6, 2005 6:34 pm
Route Climbed: N. to S. Traverse, descent via S. Ridge Date Climbed: 21 August 2005With Martin Nagel, his 4th and 5th 14ers. The traverse was a blast -- a bit tough and a bit airy at times, but it's all there, and fairly solid. We had some rockfall from some white-haired, bearded, four-legged mountaineers near the saddle. The descent was really long and not very interesting, but it was a spectacular day nonetheless. The scenery is unparalleled.
KyndKlimber - Sep 5, 2005 2:43 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 31 2005Truly my most dangerous climb yet, but well worth it!
shanahan96 - Sep 5, 2005 3:08 am
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: September 3, 2005long, challenging hike. all the ledges and hand climbing after 13,300 feet was pretty interesting.
jamie
doumall - Aug 21, 2005 5:16 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 20th, 2005Quite a workout. I busted my butt fearing the monsoon's rath. 6 hour 40 min round trip from the trailhead. 51st 14er!
georgbetsy - Aug 6, 2005 10:22 pm
Route Climbed: Traverse: S - N Date Climbed: August 6th 2005I had my first experience with the Maroon Bells today and it turned out to be a perfect day. A friend and I drove to the trailhead last night, slept for a few hours and then started at 3 am. We first climbed South Maroon Peak and reached the summit at 8:30 and then did the traverse to North Maroon and had a wonderful time. Due to some knee problems (my friend always has them and I had a stupid crash on my bike last week and hurt my knee) however, the descent was pretty grueling.
James C - Aug 6, 2005 5:06 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast col Date Climbed: June 27, 2005Attempst #1, reached the ridge and came within 200 feet of the summit, but were turned around due to conditions, can't wait to take another crack...
MarieP - Aug 3, 2005 1:24 am
Route Climbed: N-S Traverse Date Climbed: July 2005Great traverse! Didn't use ropes for rappels, mostly class 4 downclimbes with one or two low class 5 moves.
vanny37 - Jul 18, 2005 11:49 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 16, 2005Great day with Alan (alana) and Andy (Andy). Summited around 10am and started for North Maroon soon after!
Natasha - Jul 7, 2005 1:57 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July, 5, 2005Attempt #2 within 3 days. Got better information and stayed on the standard route this time. Made it to the ridge, but found significant snow in a few places crossing the trail on the other side. The snow was questionable so, we went around as much as possible. Got within 0.16 mi of the summit (per GPS) when I got stopped by snow and a steep climb with a potentially deadly fall as the alternative. My partner made it, while I waited.
This mountain cut and bruised my body, tested my patience, and ended my hiking relationship with my hiking partner, but I'll be back when the snow melts! :)
Natasha - Jul 7, 2005 12:47 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 3, 2005Attempt #1: Lost the trail on the way up the ridge and ended up trying to get on the ridge too far North. Result, got boxed in, in a long gully. Backed out of the gully and headed further South, but it was too late in the day. Good call, about 3 hours later a storm came in.
Andinistaloco - Jun 3, 2005 3:35 pm
Route Climbed: standard, i think... Date Climbed: early summer 97?Fun, exposed climb... and incredible views of the Elks! Traverse was a little on the funky side - watch yourself here!
Larry V - Jan 8, 2005 12:13 am
Route Climbed: North to South traverse Date Climbed: early July 1997A most memorable day. Lots of snow, but not on the ridge itself. Next to El Diente in snow, this was my most difficult climb.
Rick F - Dec 4, 2004 5:27 pm
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Coulior Date Climbed: June 16 2004 + many other timesget up real real early for this one Sumited around 9 am Postholed down from 13 k or so met a nice gruop who even gave me a cold Fat Tire ! Thanks !
mt_daydream - Sep 7, 2004 4:21 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 31, 2003Lots of route-finding. The climb was fun mainly due to the route-finding. A member of my team narrowly escaped from being hit by a tumbling rock dislodged by parties higher up. Make sure you wear your HARD HAT! It was raining the previous evening, but had perfect weather on the summit day.
chuckallen - Jul 13, 2004 4:37 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast Ridge Date Climbed: June 28, 2001After a 7 hour climb, three young friends and I reached Maroon's summit on a beautiful sunny day. We prepared a detailed photographic trip report of our climb in which we provide dozens of tips about the route, our equipment list and our conditioning program, and also information about access to the mountain, acclimatization, safety and the route itself. You can access the page at http://maroonclimb.com/ or by going to the link on the Trip Reports page for South Maroon Peak on this site.
coloradoiceclimber - Jul 4, 2004 10:39 am
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: 7/3/04This never ending couloir was an amazing climb. Sam was on Pyramid Peak on the 3rd while we were climbing the Bell Cord on South Maroon and took this photo of our route! S. Maroon From Pyramid 7/3/04 Same Bells Photo From Pyramid 8/31/02
Nate, Bill, and I had a blast in this couloir!
South Maroon Summit!
xskier77 - Jun 13, 2004 7:50 pm
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: June 12, 2004Got on trail from out campsite at 4:00am. The snow in the couloir was nice and hard and great for crampons. Going up the couloir was very exciting espencially when a rock fell from above about the size of a basketball and came sailing down the couloir as a very fast pace. Thankfully I was not in it's path. The climb from the top of the couloir to the summit of South Maroon was very interesting and different from any other 14er I'd been on.
DaveC - May 21, 2004 9:32 pm
Route Climbed: se standard Date Climbed: july 02not as nasty as its rep vis a vis loose rock, but 10 grueling hours, and a real knee burner coming down. met and fell in with 3 other climbers that day. nice place, the elks. my 51st 14er.
sbkelley - May 12, 2004 3:18 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 2002The toughest part of the whole thing was that brutal 2,000-foot climb up to the ridge after having done the North Bell the day before. After that, it's good fun scrambling.