Favorite Class 4 14er route?

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What is your favorite Class 4 14er route?

Poll ended at Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:49 am

Pyramid Peak - via Northeast Ridge
10
16%
Crestone Needle - via Crestone Traverse
13
21%
Capitol Peak - via Northeast Ridge
14
23%
Other
24
39%
 
Total votes: 61
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climbingcue
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by climbingcue »

yaktoleft13 wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:42 am KC north ridge all day!
I agree, wonderful route.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Dan_Suitor »

climbingcue wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 1:19 pm
yaktoleft13 wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:42 am KC north ridge all day!
I agree, wonderful route.
+1
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Tornadoman »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 12:57 pm Any route on Little Bear would be my preference.
If there was a tram to around 13k on the SW ridge I might agree with you.... :lol:
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Wildernessjane »

Tornadoman wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 1:59 pm
CaptainSuburbia wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 12:57 pm Any route on Little Bear would be my preference.
If there was a tram to around 13k on the SW ridge I might agree with you.... :lol:
Seconded!
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by bdloftin77 »

Having yet to do the N ridge of Kit Carson, I voted the Crestones traverse. I found the class 4 wall on the Needle/traverse to be enjoyable, as well as scrambling down (and up on other trips) the Needle. I'm also among those who think the class 4 gully on the Needle is fun and should be part of the standard route to avoid route confusion (though it is harder). I found it steeper, but not extremely harder than the rest of the class 3 scrambling on the Needle.

If you go over K2, Capitol would definitely be class 4. If not, there's only very short sections of class 4 (if at all) which involve lifting yourself over boulders - nothing very crazy. Same with Pyramid.. I would rate it as class 3 or class 3+. However I did definitely enjoy both Capitol and Pyramid.

If the LB-Blanca traverse would be considered class 4, I would agree with markf and have it at the top of this list.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Altitude High »

These sound like fun. I never enjoyed a walk-up. These sound similar to Wetterhorn and Sneffels, but better.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Jorts »

I really enjoyed El Diente’s N Buttress. Gets gradually more difficult as you ascend so it’s kind of a warmup to the crux just below the summit.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by JacobW »

Been_Jammin wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:54 am I mostly think that pitches 5.4 and less should just be called class 4+... I mean if I'm wearing sneakers and not roping up it is still scrambling.
Well, if we're considering things up to 5.4. Then Kieners on Longs, absolutely. You get a beautiful approach, some snow climbing, a gnarly traverse on broadway, good scrabling for a few pitches and then just work your way to the summit.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by jasayrevt »

Frankly, they were all fun. I have been up Pyramid twice. I felt it was pretty enjoyable once you had entered its green wall. And, terrain up from there. That ledge system was cool. Neighboring areas reminded you of the importance with staying on route when ascending more exposed mountains, too.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Been_Jammin »

JacobW wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:40 am
Been_Jammin wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:54 am I mostly think that pitches 5.4 and less should just be called class 4+... I mean if I'm wearing sneakers and not roping up it is still scrambling.
Well, if we're considering things up to 5.4. Then Kieners on Longs, absolutely. You get a beautiful approach, some snow climbing, a gnarly traverse on broadway, good scrabling for a few pitches and then just work your way to the summit.
Kieners looks amazing. I've researched beta for that route... would love to send it someday.
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by ncxhjhgvbi »

Dan_Suitor wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 1:46 pm
climbingcue wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 1:19 pm
yaktoleft13 wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:42 am KC north ridge all day!
I agree, wonderful route.
+1
+2 - definitely my favorite
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Re: Favorite Class 4 14er route?

Post by Camden7 »

These aren’t a lot really class 4, but Roach says they are, so I will include them. My personal preference, best first
1. LB
2. Capitol
3. Pyramid
4. North Maroon
5. Sunlight
6. Mt. Wilson

Crestone needle is spectacular, but certainly not 4th class via standard route.
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