14er buddy 9/21

[babystepper]

Hello! I would be coming from out of town, would there be anyone who would be interested in doing Mt. Harvard or another 14er with me? I've only done Mt. Bierstadt before, but have been dying to do another this year. I would be a little slower and probably quiet (out of breath), but I have a great attitude:) I just don't feel competent or safe doing it alone. If anyone would be willing for a slow assent, let me know or be willing to let me tag along! Thank you for considering!

I loved the scrambling at Mt. Bierstadt so am thinking Mt. Harvard, but I am open to other options. I would also do Bierstadt again and the sawtooth to Evans/ Blue Sky if you think it is manageable.

[KState14er]

N/a

[Boggy B]

Then hire a mountain guide service, few people will want to do a class 2 peak with someone who doesn’t feel confident in their own skills. Typically we’re looking for partners who are equal to our skills.

[daway8]

Wow, somebody from KState got up on the wrong side of bed today...

There are actually thousands of people doing class 2 peaks all the time, especially on the weekends. Many people enjoy them a lot. I've been redoing the 14ers for a second lap and even though I've had fun engaging class 5 routes, I still find many of the class 2 peaks to be quite beautiful and enjoyable.

The Sawtooth Traverse is a step up from Bierstadt - class 3 vs class 2 but it's not a huge step up. Based on the OP's description of doing Bierstadt it's not something they would want to tackle solo but not necessarily out of reach if someone who's more comfortable was along to help make sure they could pick their way through to the ramp at the end.

I might have been up for that except I just redid that route weekend before last and I have my next few weekends already booked.

So hopefully some less high strung folks who have time in their schedule will chime in to partner up. Everyone has to start somewhere and there are a lot of peaks comparable to Bierstadt to choose from (Quandary, Grays and Torreys, Sherman, etc)

[MaryinColorado]

Some hard truths:

Sawtooth is not manageable if you consider the standard route up Bierstadt as a “scramble.”

“I don’t feel competent or safe doing it alone.”
Then hire a mountain guide service, few people will want to do a class 2 peak with someone who doesn’t feel confident in their own skills. Typically we’re looking for partners who are equal to our skills.

Interesting perspective all around and a bit ... critical. I'm a fan of hard truths, but they have to be fair truths. Many of us have willingly partnered with newer others in the grand tradition of passing skills, wisdom, and knowledge down the line. The poster definitely doesn't need to hire a guide, nor does class 2 warrant the "skill equity" you speak of (in my humble opinion). And that last section on Bierstadt can definitely be a fun little scramble depending which way you go. Perhaps your lens of experience doesn't view it as a scramble, but if you think like someone newer to 14ering, then it is.

To the poster: if you're not on the 14ers.com Facebook group, that would also be a great place to seek a partner. There is also someone who routinely organizes 14er meetups for folks newer to 14ering and posts them there. Feel free to reach out to me directly if there's anything I can do to help you get connected.

[speth]

Hello! I would be coming from out of town, would there be anyone who would be interested in doing Mt. Harvard or another 14er with me? I've only done Mt. Bierstadt before, but have been dying to do another this year. I would be a little slower and probably quiet (out of breath), but I have a great attitude:) I just don't feel competent or safe doing it alone. If anyone would be willing for a slow assent, let me know or be willing to let me tag along! Thank you for considering!

I loved the scrambling at Mt. Bierstadt so am thinking Mt. Harvard, but I am open to other options. I would also do Bierstadt again and the sawtooth to Evans/ Blue Sky if you think it is manageable.

Any reason you’ve picked Harvard in particular?

[babystepper]

"Any reason you’ve picked Harvard in particular?"

I loved the top of Mt. Bierstadt and I wanted to do more of that. Someone on here told me Mt. Harvard had a similar topper. I would be happy to do anything similar tho.

[Ryan987]

Welcome!! I would've been down but am moving in between housing. I would also recommend reaching out on the two FB pages if you have an account. They seem to be way more active than on here. Enjoy, I loved Harvard and the short scramble is fun. Give me a holler if you need any tips

[Ptglhs]

"Any reason you’ve picked Harvard in particular?"

I loved the top of Mt. Bierstadt and I wanted to do more of that. Someone on here told me Mt. Harvard had a similar topper. I would be happy to do anything similar tho.

Harvard is a much longer day and approach than bierstadt for a shorter summit block. Huron from Lulu Gulch has some talus hopping and it's shorter in distance and in gain. Yale has some talus hopping as well. Plenty of 13ers have class 2 talus. If you're going out next Sat I'd be available.

[two lunches]

OP if you're not married to Harvard (personally i prefer its' neighbor, Columbia, but any excuse to visit Horn Fork Basin is a good excuse in my book), you will undoubtedly find much more company on either Democrat/Cameron/Lincoln/Bross loop, Greys & Torreys, Sherman, or if you want to hang out in the Sawatch (and you should) Huron would be an excellent 2nd 14er. you might not formally partner up, but i assure you, you won't be alone at all- just follow the trail of ants/headlamps

[Peak200]

Fyi sat is going to be a no go
For ALL THE north area
Check the weather lots of snow

[mtree]

Harvard is a much stronger drink than Bierstadt. Although there is a little scramble at the summit, it is less sustained than Bierstadt. I can't think of similar 14er scrambles within a few hours of Denver. Massive if you stay on the ridge prior to final summit push.

Weather could be a factor this weekend. And Harvard is further out than Bierstadt and a full-on day of hiking. Snow is very likely by early afternoon. Be prepared. Things can turn sideways very quickly up there.