Intro Ridge and Route Finding

FAQ and threads for those just starting to hike the Colorado 14ers.
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hogwildHTX
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Intro Ridge and Route Finding

Post by hogwildHTX »

Hello all,

I am heading to Colorado in August and trying to get some intro into scrambling, route-finding and ridge traversing under my belt. I have extensive hiking and backpacking experience, but overall have not gotten into the earlier mentioned. I am going to be going solo and was looking for some soft introductions into them as to not bite off more than I can chew. I have 14er experience in the way of Grays and Mt. Whitney, and for the most part do well at high altitude. Was looking to hit the Mosquito range and take down Democrat and Lincoln to start. Any recommendations on what to follow up with? Maybe follow up Gray's with Torreys?
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justiner
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Re: Intro Ridge and Route Finding

Post by justiner »

If around the Democrat Group, doing the traverse from Buckskin to Democrat, then taking the north ridge to Clinton would be a really great ridge hike. (you would have to return to Democrat after Clinton). If that's too much to swallow, moving a little N and checking out the ridge near Sherman would be a little easier. Dyer - Sherman - Horseshoe is an easy ridge hike, while also staying up high.
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Jorts
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Re: Intro Ridge and Route Finding

Post by Jorts »

Father Dyer's east ridge is a great 3rd cl intro. Exciting position, but never desperate. Exposure is limited.
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Sbenfield
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Re: Intro Ridge and Route Finding

Post by Sbenfield »

Pettingell to Hassell is a nice intro ridge
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Harrison1991
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Re: Intro Ridge and Route Finding

Post by Harrison1991 »

justiner wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:55 pm If around the Democrat Group, doing the traverse from Buckskin to Democrat, then taking the north ridge to Clinton would be a really great ridge hike. (you would have to return to Democrat after Clinton). If that's too much to swallow, moving a little N and checking out the ridge near Sherman would be a little easier. Dyer - Sherman - Horseshoe is an easy ridge hike, while also staying up high.
I can concur on the Sherman to dyer ridge. I did this yesterday, and it was a great experience. The descent from Gemini is fairly steep. It was a fun route, and very straightforward
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daway8
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Re: Intro Ridge and Route Finding

Post by daway8 »

+1 on Buckskin-Democrat traverse - it's a great starter ridge and one of the earliest that I did (I put up a trip report with lots of details on that if you're interested). Gets you a centennial and at least one 14er in the same trip.
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