HELMUT NEEDED?

[pkpzp228]

I did the traverse Diente to Wilson and descended Wilson on the Northeast ridge, I was solo on the traverse and there's no way I would have done it again. (ie went back over it) That said, I thought the descent of Wilson was pretty easy and solid. My ascent of Diente was rather non standard climbing the ledge system directly right of the summit on photo#2, route 3 (http://14ers.com/photos/wilsongroup/lRElDi_302.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) eventually intersecting the North Buttress route just below the slabs. Personally I wouldn't do Wilson -> Diente because of the limited options for descent, I'm glad I didn't go near the Diente std route and I would not have downclimbed the line I chose.

[cbauer10]

Just got back from Mount Wilson/El Diente yesterday. There were 8 people on those two mountains yesterday and only 4 had helmets. 3 of those 8 did the traverse without helmets. We were surprised to see so many people without helmets. One was a guy that finished on Mt. Wilson too. I would DEFINITELY suggest one, but I would not force my opinion on to anyone either. It is a personal choice. We had ours.

[Schu]

If you do the traverse in June you get a nice snow climb up El D and a fun glissade down Wilson.

[wooderson]

Just got back from Mount Wilson/El Diente yesterday. There were 8 people on those two mountains yesterday and only 4 had helmets. 3 of those 8 did the traverse without helmets. We were surprised to see so many people without helmets. One was a guy that finished on Mt. Wilson too. I would DEFINITELY suggest one, but I would not force my opinion on to anyone either. It is a personal choice. We had ours.

Well, that's a better ratio than what I saw on Capitol a few weeks ago... counted 15 people and ONE helmet! Many of these were young-ish kids with their (supposedly older and more responsible) parents, too.

EDIT: And I will echo everyone else's comments in this thread that a helmet is the way to go on the Wilson group.

[CO Native]

Wilson Peak was definitely terrain where I wore a helmet:



Same with the El Diente to Wilson traverse:


When we did the traverse there were groups going either direction on it. The El Diente to Wilson groups seemed to fair better simply because their route was more straight forward. The other direction would frequently cliff out, back track a little, then continue.

[Yog]

Yes. He is highly recommended.

Where is Lord Helmut when you need him?! Helmets in any situation where you can get tagged by a rock is a good idea. Also, if you bring any Mogs with you, please make sure they are wearing Helmuts and are leashed. Universal strength hair dryer cords also may suffice as leashes.

[Winter8000m]

I think the best route on El Diente is the North Buttress. Exposed. Solid. And a bit longer it seemed then the other routes on it. I did the traverse up the South Slopes of El Diente w/ traverse to Mount Wilson and descended down Navajo Lake to our campsite nearby.

I would reccomend going up the north buttress w/ traverse and descend Mount Wilson.

I found none of the traverse above class 3. Only class 4 I had on the whole route was the exciting right finish of the block on Mount Wilsons summit ridge and that was one easy move. I did the traverse in a little over 2 hours and we were moving slow.

Definately wear a helmet! Very loose rock.

[crossfitter]

I think the best route on El Diente is the North Buttress. Exposed. Solid. And a bit longer it seemed then the other routes on it.

I haven't done any of the other routes on El Diente so I can't offer a comparison, but the west ridge is fantastic. Solid, scenic, solitary, and not nearly as hard as it looks. I've heard nothing but complaints about the other routes, but I really enjoyed that one.

[cbauer10]

I think the best route on El Diente is the North Buttress. Exposed. Solid. And a bit longer it seemed then the other routes on it.

I haven't done any of the other routes on El Diente so I can't offer a comparison, but the west ridge is fantastic. Solid, scenic, solitary, and not nearly as hard as it looks. I've heard nothing but complaints about the other routes, but I really enjoyed that one.

And I would recommend the South Slopes route on El Diente from the Kilpacker side. We just did it on Wednesday and it was so solid I couldn't believe it. We ran into a guide from Telluride there and his comment was that if you do El Diente on the South Slopes route, it is the easiest of the three in that group. Having down all three now, I would have to agree with that statement. There was only some slightly loose stuff towards the top, but that is after you merge with either the Gully or Buttress routes from the north side. Here is a thread where this has been discussed a little more.

http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 97#p319097

As far as the traverse goes, there is about 50 feet of tricky stuff from the saddle up, but nothing too serious. Still I would recommend a helmet.

[sgladbach]

Without fail, you only need a helmet when you need a helmet. All the times you don't get beaned by a rock or smash your head in a fall, a helmet is not necessary. Still, as crossfitter said, you'll look badass!