Class 3

[LarryM]

I'm a strong hiker with some 13er/14er experience, but I'm nervous about exposure and haven't done anything tougher than class 2+. I'd like to start doing some class 3 routes, but want to keep exposure to a minimum, at least at first. I'm looking for advice about "beginner" class 3 routes on 13ers or 14ers (or even lower peaks for practice), with minimum exposure, and preferably reasonably close to Denver. Any advice?

[desertdog]

I thought Crestone Peak was pretty straightforward with just a little exposure at the end of the route. Another couple to check out would be Kit Carson and Lindsey (although the gully on the route has a lot of rockfall). Here's a good tool for you -

http://14ers.com/routes_byexposure.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MonGoose]

The upper traverse between Blanca and Ellingwood is a good intro to Class 3. If you get spooked you can always drop down to the Class 2 traverse.

[fahixson]

Jim Davies is running slow in responding. Here's responses to similar question ...
beginner class 3
Favorite 13er Scrambles
Intro to class 3

[Double Oh Seven]

I would check out father dyer's east ridge from crystal lake. It's pretty easy class 3 with a couple spots of brief exposure but that is over really quickly.

It also has the benefit of not having to downclimb. As you can traverse to crystal and hike down crystal which Is all class 2.

[AlexeyD]

NE ridge of Father Dyer peak is another great option. Relatively short scrambling on very solid rock, and great scenery. Also Kelso Ridge on Torrey's.

Wow, just saw the above post, funny

[Tornadoman]

For 14ers I would start with Wetterhorn as it is a shorter section of class 3 and the views are hard to beat. Then maybe onto Kelso Ridge.

[eskermo]

Bear Peak in Boulder. The short, final scramble to the summit is Class 3 with just a little exposure and awesome views up top.

If you do that and want some more on the way down, head down to Mesa Trail, turn left up the Mallory Cave Trail, and climb Sunny Side II on Der Zerkle for your first Class 4 scramble. Walk off to the north and downclimb a couple easy class 3 moves and you're back on the trail.

[fahixson]

And here's one more link that focuses on options closer to Denver ...
Class 3 Front Range 13ers?

Using Lists of John to come up with peak options is a fun planning exercise. From the tools menu, you can generate a list based on your specified location of the closest XX peaks above Y,000'. Once you have the peak names, there's countless hours you can spend looking for route descriptions, ratings, maps, etc. Good luck!

[LarryM]

Thanks all. Wow, if the final scramble on Bear Peak is considered class 3, then I've been overly intimidated by class three, as I've done that many times.

[AlexeyD]

Wow, if the final scramble on Bear Peak is considered class 3, then I've been overly intimidated by class three, as I've done that many times.

Well...if that's class 3, then just barely (or is that "BEARly...sorry, apparently Friday is bad joke day). Just goes to show how big of a range that category has...it's kind of hard to put the summit of Beak Peak and, say, the Keyhole or Loft route on Longs in the same category, even though both might be technically class 3.

[matt_foco]

Airplane gully for Navajo Peak.