Little Bear Conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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greenonion
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by greenonion »

supranihilest wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 7:19 pm
shepherdkyle wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 4:14 pm Thank you for the replies. I don’t think there will be enough ice with current conditions, thus the post, so I’m eyeing other opportunities this weekend. I’ll likely do it in the winter, so I don’t have to mess with other folks and rockfall.
Southwest ridge is still the better route in winter or when avalanches are a concern. The Hourglass is extremely finicky and dangerous with snow. The southwest ridge is the vastly superior route due to its almost complete lack of objective danger. Having done both routes I don't think I'd ever do the Hourglass again, regardless of season. Just my 2¢.
That says a lot, coming from Ben. And others
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Salient
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by Salient »

I wonder if 14ers.com will ever add the route for the SW ridge. Right now the Standard Route is the only one with a description or pictures for Little Bear.
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ekalina
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by ekalina »

Salient wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 5:23 am I wonder if 14ers.com will ever add the route for the SW ridge. Right now the Standard Route is the only one with a description or pictures for Little Bear.
There are a number of user-contributed routes on the site, so I would think it's doable if someone who's climbed the route is willing to document it. There are also a number of trip reports for the SW ridge (and a couple for the Hourglass in winter) with pictures, but they're written in a different style from the route descriptions of course.
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BrenAuer237
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by BrenAuer237 »

Does anyone know where the "trailhead" even is for this route (SW ridge)? I've heard conflicting things. Apparently the best start for it is at the intersection of 24th St and Finton Ave near Tobin Creek, but according to summitpost this crosses private property. Do most people just start by hiking up Como road? My understanding is that this would add a considerable amount of time and mileage. What am I missing here?
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by -wren- »

BrenAuer237 wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:56 pm Does anyone know where the "trailhead" even is for this route (SW ridge)? I've heard conflicting things. Apparently the best start for it is at the intersection of 24th St and Finton Ave near Tobin Creek, but according to summitpost this crosses private property. Do most people just start by hiking up Como road? My understanding is that this would add a considerable amount of time and mileage. What am I missing here?
It’s all off trail from the como road. You can find GPX in the library.
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by -wren- »

shepherdkyle wrote: Wed Nov 10, 2021 4:14 pm Thank you for the replies. I don’t think there will be enough ice with current conditions, thus the post, so I’m eyeing other opportunities this weekend. I’ll likely do it in the winter, so I don’t have to mess with other folks and rockfall.
Kyle, I thought you got the hourglass done a couple weeks back? Was it no dice? Anyhow, the southwest ridge was honestly very enjoyable the same weekend. I cannot speak to conditions now, what with all the sun and warmth. My guess is the snow is not nearly as supportive and there is much more rime.
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CaptainSuburbia
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

I've climbed it 3 times from approximately this spot. The ridge should be in great condition right now.
Screenshot_20220126-210151_Gaia GPS.jpg
Screenshot_20220126-210151_Gaia GPS.jpg (129.55 KiB) Viewed 905 times
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Will_E
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by Will_E »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 9:07 pm I've climbed it 3 times from approximately this spot. The ridge should be in great condition right now.
Screenshot_20220126-210151_Gaia GPS.jpg
As crazy as the Captain is, the SW ridge is always in. Might be the only winter 14’er that can be done without snowshoes pretty much anytime.
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Re: Little Bear Conditions

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Will_E wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 9:25 pm
CaptainSuburbia wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 9:07 pm I've climbed it 3 times from approximately this spot. The ridge should be in great condition right now.
Screenshot_20220126-210151_Gaia GPS.jpg
As crazy as the Captain is, the SW ridge is always in. Might be the only winter 14’er that can be done without snowshoes pretty much anytime.
Will is correct. Crampons not always needed either.
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