Easiest class 3 14er?

[technicolorNH]

The class 3 14er that's best for your first ascent depends on your abilities, not anyone else. Options abound but what you should really be focusing on is what the route you're taking involves. Using Lindsey as an example I'd have to say that the north couloir was class 2, with only mild exposure. Serious exposure makes me nervous, so it was great for me. In some parts the footing was sketchy though, so I gladly climbed steeper class 3 parts in exchange for getting off the dreck in the middle of the couloir. For those who have trouble navigating and route finding but have serious stamina and no issues with exposure or crowds Longs is a fantastic introduction to class 3. The bull's eyes make it very difficult to go off course and on a summer day there are going to be people on the route visibly demonstrating how it's done. As someone said earlier, descending the same way you went up is also a good idea, until you learn how to route find enough to keep yourself out of trouble. If not, find a more experienced partner to pair up with.

[Esturtz617]

In my opinion, Kelso Ridge is the easiest class 3 router up a 14er. Most of the exposed moves are avoidable, minus the knife edge which is much easier then it looks. The reason I didn't choose Wetterhorn is that towards the end, it becomes very exposed very fast and there is no way around it. If you want a good intro to class 3, my best recommendation would be Father Dyer. This one is great because, like Kelso, you can pick your poison, so to speak. The ridge crest is a solid, exposed 3, while most of it is avoidable by descending onto the slopes a little bit. In addition, because Father Dyer is a 13er, you often have it all to yourself.

[nunns]

Long's is easy class 3 in terms of exposure. However, it is a LONG hike and most people are pretty tired by the time they reach the Keyhole, so I doubt it is the easiest class 3 14er overall. Definitely NOT Crestone Needle. Sorry that's about the limit of my class 3 experience, unless you think Sneffel's is class 3 in a few places like I do.

Sean Nunn
Raytown MO

[dtron]

I'm enjoying this thread as well (very informative), so I thought I'd post the list below for some feedback. Thoughts on how the Class 3 routes are ranked in this list? I understand that length of approach is factored into these rankings, so that likely causes it to deviate away from pure technical challenge. Those of us who haven't set foot on these peaks are probably mostly concerned with technical & route finding challenges.

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php

[kaiman]

My first Class 3 14er was Snowmass, but Longs Peak, Kit Carson, and Wetterhorn are probably most people’s first Class 3. Kelso Ridge is often climbed as a first Class 3 14er although it’s more exposed than the others. Bierdstadt to Evans via the Sawtooth would make for a good first Class 3 route, as would Sneffels.

Edit - Crestone Peak (not the Needle) would also make a good first Class 3 as it is not too steep, and not that exposed for the majority of the scrambling in the Red Gully.

Kai

[mtngoatwithstyle]

I agree that anything you feel comfortable climbing up should also feel the same on the way down.
I have met many hikers who will say " it is a easy hike", "nothing you can't do" and yet until one is not up there, one does not realize of their own limits. Just make sure you are with someone you trust and know he/she is going to be honest and trustworthy of your decision to continue or turn around if it is too eerie.
So just see how it feels. Not one climb & hike is the same. Above all, have fun and never regret your decisions if anything, learn from them.

[Total Redline]

Wilson Peak is a great introduction to Class 3.
Lindsey's NW ridge is another Class 3 route.
The others already mentioned - Sneffels SW ridge and Wetterhorn - are also nice routes
S. Maroon, Snowmass and Longs keyhole are Class 3 but, IMHO, each has a challenge that precludes is from being considered a good Class 3 intro.

.

I am looking to do my first 14er, and I'm thinking its between snowmass and S. Maroon (we are doing 4 loop pass). Which would you suggest in over all satisfaction? And is it a good idea to attempt these?

[BillMiddlebrook]

Wilson Peak is a great introduction to Class 3.
Lindsey's NW ridge is another Class 3 route.
The others already mentioned - Sneffels SW ridge and Wetterhorn - are also nice routes
S. Maroon, Snowmass and Longs keyhole are Class 3 but, IMHO, each has a challenge that precludes is from being considered a good Class 3 intro.

.

I am looking to do my first 14er, and I'm thinking its between snowmass and S. Maroon (we are doing 4 loop pass). Which would you suggest in over all satisfaction? And is it a good idea to attempt these?

Neither for a 1st 14er unless you've climbed a bunch of other Class 3 peaks. Both are loose, dangerous and arduous.

[desertdog]

Like others have said Wetterhorn is pretty easy and was my first class 3. I think the shorter the class 3 section, the easier the route finding and the less it will mess with your head. Wetterhorn fits this bill. I’ve known people with zero experience get up and down this one. Have fun! Richard

[Above_Treeline]

Unfortunately taken down, I'm not a statistician but I'd think it probably has enough entries to be at least fairly accurate :

https://web.archive.org/web/20170610091 ... ksrall.php

14ers by difficulty poll from this site

[randalmartin]

My first Class 3 14er was Snowmass, but Longs Peak, Kit Carson, and Wetterhorn are probably most people’s first Class 3. Kelso Ridge is often climbed as a first Class 3 14er although it’s more exposed than the others. Bierdstadt to Evans via the Sawtooth would make for a good first Class 3 route, as would Sneffels.

Edit - Crestone Peak (not the Needle) would also make a good first Class 3 as it is not too steep, and not that exposed for the majority of the scrambling in the Red Gully.

Kai

Honestly the hardest part of Peak was Broken Hand Pass. It's a long day.

Wetterhorn is also a nice first one because the relatively short overall mileage.

[BillMiddlebrook]

Unfortunately taken down, I'm not a statistician but I'd think it probably has enough entries to be at least fairly accurate :

https://web.archive.org/web/20170610091 ... aksall.php

14ers by difficulty poll from this site

The new page is much better...

https://www.14ers.com/routes_bydifficulty.php