Route Climbed: Standard North to South ridge traverse Date Climbed: August 2, 2003
Both peaks are very rewarding in themselves, but the true gem of courage is the ridge traverse. The beginning of the ridge from the south peak is rather inviting, but sooner or later it throws you a few class 3 curveballs. Although there is only 100 feet of elevation gain between the peaks, its sure takes a lot of work. August was perfect, the only snow on the mountain was the glacier itself.
Route Climbed: Standard traverse of South and North Arapaho Date Climbed: 6-12-2003
My friend Josh and I climbed these two wonderful mountains on a perfect day in June. Personally i was a bit aprehensive concerning getting both summits. Recently in Colorado the thunderheads start building at 11:00 a.m. and are full blown within 2 hours or less. I'm talking no clouds to lightning in less than two hours! The ridge traverse takes about 1hour and twenty minutes, one way. So needless to say I was feeling a bit uneasy when the cloud buildup began as we started our traverse. As we summited North Arapaho those clouds began to drift away over the Denver area and we had great weather for the rest of the day. Here is a trip report.
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: 31 May 2003
Climbed a gentler snow slope east of Skywalker. On snow almost whole way from TH. Feared the steep snow and possible cornices on the traverse, so limited myself to the south peak.
Route Climbed: 4th of July Trailhead Date Climbed: June 29, 2002
The class 3 route from South to North Arapahoe Peaks make this mountain a favorite. A great get in shape hike for something like Long's Peak. Challenging but do-able. We climbed during the peak of the wildfires this summer so the views we had weren't very good. I would like to go back under better conditions.
Route Climbed: Skywalker Couloir Date Climbed: June 8, 2002
In this year of abnormally low snow, early June conditions ranged from near ice, to slushy unprotectable mush, to perfect styrofoam. It changed every hundred feet. The quote-unquote "easy" finish looked tougher than Princess Leia, so we went the Princess way. It was only four feet wide at places. A hidden cornice at the top finished off an exciting climb!
CanopyBoy - Aug 3, 2003 10:53 pm
Route Climbed: Standard North to South ridge traverse Date Climbed: August 2, 2003Both peaks are very rewarding in themselves, but the true gem of courage is the ridge traverse. The beginning of the ridge from the south peak is rather inviting, but sooner or later it throws you a few class 3 curveballs. Although there is only 100 feet of elevation gain between the peaks, its sure takes a lot of work. August was perfect, the only snow on the mountain was the glacier itself.
Kane - Jun 15, 2003 8:50 pm
Route Climbed: Standard traverse of South and North Arapaho Date Climbed: 6-12-2003My friend Josh and I climbed these two wonderful mountains on a perfect day in June. Personally i was a bit aprehensive concerning getting both summits. Recently in Colorado the thunderheads start building at 11:00 a.m. and are full blown within 2 hours or less. I'm talking no clouds to lightning in less than two hours! The ridge traverse takes about 1hour and twenty minutes, one way. So needless to say I was feeling a bit uneasy when the cloud buildup began as we started our traverse. As we summited North Arapaho those clouds began to drift away over the Denver area and we had great weather for the rest of the day. Here is a trip report.
mpyle - Jun 2, 2003 7:46 am
Route Climbed: South Face Date Climbed: 31 May 2003Climbed a gentler snow slope east of Skywalker. On snow almost whole way from TH. Feared the steep snow and possible cornices on the traverse, so limited myself to the south peak.
mtnhiker13 - Dec 27, 2002 1:12 pm
Route Climbed: 4th of July Trailhead Date Climbed: June 29, 2002The class 3 route from South to North Arapahoe Peaks make this mountain a favorite. A great get in shape hike for something like Long's Peak. Challenging but do-able. We climbed during the peak of the wildfires this summer so the views we had weren't very good. I would like to go back under better conditions.
Nelson - Jun 9, 2002 9:06 am
Route Climbed: Skywalker Couloir Date Climbed: June 8, 2002In this year of abnormally low snow, early June conditions ranged from near ice, to slushy unprotectable mush, to perfect styrofoam. It changed every hundred feet. The quote-unquote "easy" finish looked tougher than Princess Leia, so we went the Princess way. It was only four feet wide at places. A hidden cornice at the top finished off an exciting climb!
Zeke - Nov 28, 2001 1:25 pm
Route Climbed: Skywalker Couloir/Traverse Date Climbed: June 2000Great climb and awsome finish. It may pucker you a bit. Do the traverse to North Arap. while your there, definately worth it.
kisters_0 - Oct 12, 2001 1:11 pm
Route Climbed: Sky Walker to S Arapaho, North ridge traverse to N Arapaho. Date Climbed: 06/01What a great ridge traverse. Definetly a must climb.
Jim Clarke - Jul 23, 2001 6:10 pm
Route Climbed: Standard South to North traverse Date Climbed: 10/3/99Fun, airy traverse in perfect fall weather...
mpbro - Jul 3, 2001 2:23 pm
Route Climbed: Arapaho Peaks Traverse Date Climbed: August 26, 2000Great climb...a classic. Unfortunately, I was turned back by weather about 3/4 of the way to North Arapaho Peak. Trip report is here