Little Bear Rope, 60m Enough?

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

I know this has been covered in the past, but I cannot find the posts. If I want to remove my rope(s) from the bottom of the difficulties (in the Hour Glass), will 2, 60m ropes be long enough?

[BillMiddlebrook]

Yes, 2, assuming the rap station hasn't been moved up from it's normal location

[MountainHiker]

If I remember correctly there's a good size rock involved. There will probably already be a couple slings around it. I would figure on taking a generous length of webbing. You can probably find a picture if you dig enough.

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

Thank you!

[larkinrx2]

[youtubevideo]/watch?v=gwvXtfRjonc[/youtubevideo]

[bob863]

please call me stupid or un-informed...does Little Bear necessitate rope(s)?? Does the peak necessitate a helmet??

I'll admit I'm purposely "playing" stupid to encourage an open discussion...

[Tommy Dorr]

Helmet, yes.
Rope, no.

May the argument ensue.

[DArcyS]

Helmet, yes.
Rope, no.

May the argument ensue.

Hi Tommy, I guess you'll need to argue with yourself based on your recommendation that people bring a rope for Wetterhorn in this TR.

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=2219" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perspectives change through the years, eh? And sometimes for the better as one's climbing ability improves, which I assume is the case for you.

A rope may not be "necessary," but many would say that for Pilot Knob where a person just recently lost their life. Know your strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.

[Doug Shaw]

please call me stupid or un-informed...does Little Bear necessitate rope(s)?? Does the peak necessitate a helmet

The hourglass is a weakness in the face that allows easier access to the upper mountain. It is also a natural constriction beneath an upper gully that is home to some of the loosest and most rotten rock you'll find on a 14er. It's this feature that usually earns LB the distinction of being considered the most dangerous 14er. Anything that is dislodged from above - by climbers, goats, or nature - will funnel into that constriction, and probably right onto any climbers in the constriction at the time. For a double-whammy the constriction also contains some of the most difficult/demanding climbing on the route. If you're lucky, the climbing there is on smooth and water-polished 4th class rock; if you're not, the rock is actually wet.

Many people take a rope to rappel the hourglass on the descent instead of trying to downclimb it - it gets an individual through the danger zone a little more quickly and (hopefully) safely. That said, you don't NEED a rope - but many use one for safety reasons.

Being in the hourglass without a helmet would feel like playing Russian roulette. There's a lot of loose rock above you, you're in the constriction that it's all going to funnel into...

[grock52]

^doug is dead on in his assessment. if your good with class 4 climbing then forget the rope, I certainly would not lug one up there. the helmet is a must.

[Brian C]

Slight food for thought...

In my experience, some of the worst rock fall has been caused due to pulling rappel ropes.

[Tommy Dorr]

Helmet, yes.
Rope, no.

May the argument ensue.

Hi Tommy, I guess you'll need to argue with yourself based on your recommendation that people bring a rope for Wetterhorn in this TR.

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=2219" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perspectives change through the years, eh? And sometimes for the better as one's climbing ability improves, which I assume is the case for you.

Wow, you really went out of your way to point that out. I don't know whether to be flattered or creeped out.

Anyway, I guess you're right. People change. Still, kinda weird.