Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Started trailhead at 3:30am
Back to car at 12:30pm
Side note: The dancing video we took on the summit, I submitted to "So You Think You Can Dance" and they aired it on 8/15 for National Dance Day! Did anyone see it??? Totally cheesy but we still had a good time. If you missed it you can rewatch episodes online.
We met up with kushrocks, marie123 and their other friend Jason at the trailhead for the first time Friday evening. Thank you kushrocks for reaching out to us to join your group! 14ers.com is such a great site.
We started hiking at 3:30am through the forest with headlamps and got off route once or twice. The trail through the forest gains elevations quickly. It was a bit steeper than I was expected, but not too bad. The sun started coming up when we were hiking through the valley before topping out on the ridge. The valley before the ridge (photo by: kushrocks) almost to the ridge pointing to the crux wall (the shadowed area to the right of the summit)
We followed a faint trail below the left side of the ridge and eventually had to work our way to the top where the trail began to turn into scrambling. The next photo shows the crux wall and we stayed left of the crack as we scrambled. You can see some of our group up ahead
Once we got on the ridge we mostly stayed on top and the scrambling was a lot of fun. The route says to drop down left off the ridge when you are about 50 feet from the crux wall. Even though we knew this, it still seemed to creep up too quickly and we found ourselves at the sharp points. We climbed over and down the sharp point which was a class 4 move. I definitely thought this was the hardest part of this entire route, even harder than the crux wall. Ryan & Jason waiting for me to catch up. This is before we climbed over the sharp point. The crux wall is behind them.
As most trip reports state, the crux wall is intimidating from far away, but soon enough you are already half way up the wall before you even realize you were climbing it. Honestly, the wall wasn't bad at all (if you are comfortable with Class 3). It was good scrambling on very solid rock. I was so focused on my moves that I didn't notice the great exposure around me. I thought that Kelso ridge was more exposed. When you approach the wall, we hiked left of the large crack. If you scout out your moves, you can keep the scrambling at a descent level. Matt giving me a boost (since my legs were cramping) (photo by: kushrocks) Part of the crux wall Yes, Sophie, the super dog, made it up this route. She was amazing! (photo by: kushrocks)
Soon enough we were on top of the wall and heading over to the true summit. I really enjoyed the rock scrambling on the Class 4 route and would definitely recommend it to anyone. If you need any comparison to see if you are ready for that level, my only class 3 experience before this route was Kit Carson, Longs (keyhole), and Kelso Ridge to Torreys. My only major issue on the route was cramping. Before we got to the sharp point and the crux wall, I got a charlie horse in my calf. It was the worst cramping pain I have ever experience. I had to sit for at least fifteen minutes before it subsided and even then it kept trying to tense back up. I took every move after that very slowly. My hiking group was so great. They waited for me and kept an eye out the rest of the way up. showing the rest of the route to the true summit
I think we summited no later than 9am but I am not 100% sure. The weather was beautiful! I even got our new hiking friends to dance with us on the summit for National Dance Day! Funny summit pic (photo by: kushrocks) First Class 4! Little Bear and Blanca are seen behind me. It was cool to be in their presence.
After dancing and crazy summit pictures we left for the Class 2+ descent. I did not like the gulley at all. We stepped very carefully so we would not knock any rocks down. The crux of the gulley; we stayed as left as we could to stay on more stable rock The rest of our group waiting for me and Matt
The gulley route was much worse and took much longer than expected. After a nasty gulley descent, we were finally back at the ridge and quickly making our way back through the forest. It was beautiful scenery! Its always a unique experience on the descent to get to see the trail that you hiked through that morning in the dark. This is one of the more scenic places I have hiked. We managed to cross the river both ways without using the watershoes that we had brought. The hiking poles definitely helped with balance. We made a quick pace back to the car and arrived around 12:30pm. crossing the stream without the watershoes
Overall, Lindsey was tough for me mainly because of how bad my muscles were cramping that day. I had severe cramps in every muscle from my hip flexers all the way down to my toes. Literally every muscle in both legs cramped at some point in this hike. It took me at least a full week for my calf to loosen back to normal. Minus the cramping, Lindsey is an amazing hike and the Class 4 route was incredible. I would definitely hiked that route again....but not sure I would ever descend that gulley again. I didn't really find the wall to be all that difficult. Just take each step at a time and you will soon be at the top. The exposure is airy, but exposure is relative and effects everyone differently. The exposure didn't bother me at all on this hike. But I could see how it was really make it difficult for someone who is more afraid of heights. It was all solid stable rock and I felt very safe the entire route. This is a great intro to Class 4 as every else has suggested.
Thank you kushrocks, marie123 and Jason for letting me and Matt join your group. You guys are amazing! We look forward to more adventures with you.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I haven't been up Lindsey yet but I climbed California from the same spot. One of my favorite spots in the Sangres! Congrats on your first Class 4 route, hopefully there's many more in your future 8)
That's awesome that your video got aired! That is one heck of a dog too!
I see you descended the standard route, would you have preferred to descend the ”wall”?
I find whenever this site says ”difficult class 2” it means that it's going to involve a scree slog.
I think descending the wall is doable. I wouldn't do it alone. I hated the class 2 descent. Both routes have their risks. I haven't seen many reports on hikers descending the NW ridge so I'm not sure how much more difficult it would be than ascending. But it would be worth doing some more research to see if it is something you'd want to do.
Very exciting and awesome to see that you finally got out on the NR Ridge on Lindsey and looks like you did a great job!
Ryan and Annie are awesome people...must have been a fun trip
My fiance and I hiked this yesterday. I agree - the exposure on the ridge and crux wall didn't scare me at all but like you said, it's all relative. We also descended the gully, though we ended up in the wrong one at first. We traversed our way over to the correct one and I agree with you - it was terrible! Made me wonder if down climbing the ridge would have been better... great trip report!!
I didnt dance on the summit because if I try and dance people think I am retarded. But I must say my video taping skills had to be the reason the video aired. That is so awesome the video was on National TV.
Great getting out with you guys and looking forward to next time. So when is the TR for Crestone Peak coming out? I still have to send you guys some picutres for that.
I already have the script typed, now all I have to do is put it together with photos and post. If you send me those pics in the next couple days, I will wait until I receive those before posting. I still need to send you pics from both Lindsey and Crestone too. I will try to get those to you soon enough!
That was such a fun day! It was awesome meeting you both, and we can't wait to hike more with you guys! I would really recommend this route to anyone - it is a very straightforward beginner class 4 route. As for the descent, I would probably climb back down the ridge if I did it again. Again, it depends on how comfortable you are downclimbing class 4, but it seemed to be only a few class 4 moves, and they were relatively unexposed. The move that is most exposed (in my opinion), was a lateral move before the crux, so that would be about the same in either direction.
a great TR!!! i had a blast on that ridge in June, and your photos really remind me what a special place it is...
as a side note, Alicia, we also descended the ridge, and it is as much fun coming down as it is going up! Much better than the gully, IMO.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
That is so awesome the video was on National TV.
