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When i was in college, I had a poster of the Maroon Bells hanging on my wall. I wanted to go there someday and a few years ago I got to do the 4 pass loop. Now I'm climbing the Bells. When I was in college, I had a poster of the Bells hanging on my wall. Now I'm climbing them.
I got halfway around the lake when I happened upon a wedding party. I chatted with the bride for a few minutes when she mentioned she had just gotten married. I commented, "If we had met a few hours ago, things could have been different". She smiled and laughed, but the groom, he didn't seem very amused. Then came the bridesmaids wearing their beautiful flowing velvet red dresses. They looked at me curiously. "Wow, that's some dress", I remarked to one of the bridesmaids. She replied in a bitchy snarl, "I have dirt in my shoe". Yeah, definitely not my type - Oh well, there's bigger peaks to bag. Wedding Crashers is one of my all time favorite movies.
Just when you get your confidence up to do a tough peak you see something like this. This isn't helping my confidence
Camping
I spent the evening at the Crater Lake campground, the one with the multiple bear attacks last year. I did not see any signs of bears but it seemed like I dreamed of a bear attack every hour. There are 11 secluded sites spread out along Crater Lake. Sites 1 & 2 and closest to the North Maroon Peak route and site 10 & 11 are closest to the Maroon Peak route. I awoke early the next morning and started on the trail around 5:15am. I met MountainMedic for the first time at Crater Lake where he was camping. He seemed disoriented and confused but said he wanted to climb North Maroon Peak. I told him that I could take him there.
The standard route consists of four key components:
1) The Rock Glacier - not technical but tedious and takes a lot longer than you would expect The Rock Glacier
2) The First Gully - Steep with a good trail The First Gully
3) The Second Gully - Steep with loose, unstable rock; not much of a trail The Second Gully
4) Class III/IV section - Route finding to the summit
Here's a view of MountainMedic trying to walk through a Class III section: The Class III section
The views along the route are amazing. Chillin' on the mountain Photo by MountainMedic
Here's the Class IV crux. It's about 15' tall and the exposure is minimal. You have to do one move but really it's not bad. I also found a Class III route to the left (on the up) that was easier but had severe exposure. I took the Class IV route up and down. The Class IV crux
MountainMedic finishing the Class IV crux. From this point on there isn't a trail, it's just route finding to try to keep it Class III. The Class IV crux
I've decided that bringing a camera along greatly increases the exposure of the hike. I would never stand this close to the edge of a cliff if there wasn't a photo involved. Some exposure Photo by MountainMedic
When we reached the summit, we met Neil who was kind enough to take our picture. Just as he was snapping the photo, a ferocious gust of wind blew his hat off his head and it went flying about 100' out and 1,000' down. You can see the reaction on our faces. A few minutes later a young lady arrived on the summit and began taking off her pants. I thought to myself, "This is it, I've finally met one of the nude peak baggers!" But as it turns out, she was just adding a thermal layer. Oh well, maybe someday. We also met up with Craig0 and bmcconahey on the summit. Good Times! On the summit
MountainMedic hanging out on the precipice on the way down. Hanging out
My beard is awesome. My beard is awesome! Photo by MountainMedic
After getting him safely down the mountain, MountainMedic shows his appreciation and then eats his shorts. I get no respect
One final tidbit, apparently porcupines don't like foxes. I tried spraying Fox piss on my tires which seemed a lot easier than spreading chicken wire. It seemed to work but honestly, who knows? Fox Piss keeps the porcupines away
I had an amazing day on North Maroon Peak. Be smart out there and I wish safe travels to everyone.
-MonGoose
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Man, I forgot about that shot with the bride...awesome! I think you had a real chance. She was looking for a way out. Anyway, great report. It really captures the spirit of the mountain (hard and steep) and the summit (hilarity). Great pics too. Good meeting you and let's continue our search for canyongoddess, I mean climb a mountin together sometime.
What kind of technology did you use to illustate the route on your King Soopers card? Must be some new, cutting edge app I haven't heard of yet. Loved the many pictures of you on the top, especially #15- that looks crazy! Thanks for the info- I'm returning to North Maroon in July.
Congrats on a sweet climb you guys. Tough about the bride, but you're right, there are bigger peaks to go for. So who is the one who has to collect the fox piss?
I knew mongoose was disappointed he didn't get to meet any nude summiteers, so I thought I'd try and make up for it. Little did I know he was taking photos behind me! That's the last time I moon mongoose.
That was an awesome report. That bride looks awful excited to be in your picture! Love the King Super card, really the only beta you need in my opinion.
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