Thoughts on Decalibron
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Thoughts on Decalibron
Hello I was wondering about which route people prefer when doing the decalibron. Start with Bross and finish with Democrat and vice a versa. Let me know I’m trying to decide for when I go in July.
- Hiking_TheRockies
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
Personally, I thought that going down Bross was a slog. I cannot imagine going up, but I've heard that people do it.
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- supranihilest
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
Finish with Bross. The trail on Bross is a mess of scree, so it's easier to go down than up. Going up that would be an exhausting effort.
- madbuck
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
My 3 best reasons for going "clockwise" starting with Democrat are that the name goes in natural order; the informal Kite Lake Triple race always went that direction; and while many people dislike Bross in either direction, some people say going down it is kind of fun (I'm in that camp) but nobody says that going up Bross is particularly fun.
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
I am one of the poor souls who decided to go counterclockwise and start with Bross. Our reasoning at the time was that it isn't fun either way, so we might as well get it over with while we were fresh and enthusiastic. It did have some advantages:
Everyone else started with Democrat so no one above you to kick scree down. Got to enjoy a great sunrise. Didn't run into anyone until almost Lincoln.
Bross certainly wasn't fun, but I don't remember it being particularly terrible. These were also some of my first fourteeners so take that with a grain of salt. I was thrilled to be up on any mountain! Still thrilled to be up on any mountain, but I learned quickly that some are much more enjoyable than others.
Everyone else started with Democrat so no one above you to kick scree down. Got to enjoy a great sunrise. Didn't run into anyone until almost Lincoln.
Bross certainly wasn't fun, but I don't remember it being particularly terrible. These were also some of my first fourteeners so take that with a grain of salt. I was thrilled to be up on any mountain! Still thrilled to be up on any mountain, but I learned quickly that some are much more enjoyable than others.
- climbingcue
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
When I did it in the summer I did Democrat 1st and when I did it in the winter I did Bross 1st. Not sure it really makes much difference, it is one the easiest 14er summit group.
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- Hiker Mike
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
Thought the exact same thing when I did the Decalibron.Hiking_TheRockies wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:46 pm Personally, I thought that going down Bross was a slog. I cannot imagine going up, but I've heard that people do it.
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-Lou Whittaker
-Lou Whittaker
Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
Hiked up Bross and I've come it a few times. I agree with Ben. Go down it (clockwise) in the summer.
In winter, it's actually pretty good going up IF that west-facing gully is holding snow.
In winter, it's actually pretty good going up IF that west-facing gully is holding snow.
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
this makes the most sense so far in this thread.climbingcue wrote: ↑Thu Feb 02, 2023 3:41 pm When I did it in the summer I did Democrat 1st and when I did it in the winter I did Bross 1st. Not sure it really makes much difference, it is one the easiest 14er summit group.
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- Violet
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Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
I started from Bross ( early July ), then Cameron and Lincoln while black clouds moved in. Then I ran along the ridge towards Mt. Democrats and ran down in the hails from the saddle to trailhead. I came back and finished Democrats the following week. I didn’t feel any problems hiking up to the peak of Bross anyway. Only a short part before the peak of Bross was kind of steep. I feel the boots u wear matter. I was wearing Salomon hiking boots.
Re: Thoughts on Decalibron
Been up in all 4 seasons, each time I went Dem-Cam-Lin-Bro-Cam, and back. I think the loop is too short otherwise, I’ve yet to descend Bross.