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Date: 28 August, 2008
Participants: cftbq, trishapajean
TH: Maroon Lake
RT: approx. 7 miles
Vertical: 4,400 ft.
This was nothing new, except that it represents one of our most difficult 14ers to date. We took the standard NE ridge route, and certainly didn't set any speed records. We tried to follow Bill's directions to ascend the green couloir, but ultimately decided that following the cairned route, which closely follows the NE ridge crest, was actually easier, although more exposed. We thought this peak lived up to its reputation for difficulty but, with good visibility and pleasant temperatures, it was super enjoyable. We took ice axes and crampons, but didn‘t need them. Since we enjoyed fabulous weather the entire day, here are some of the photographs we brought back.
An early view of Pyramid from near the bottom of the amphitheater:
Trishapajean nearing saddle above the amphitheater:
Stopping for a rest and snack at the saddle, finally in the sunlight:
Looking north at the spectacular ridge points:
The ledge traverse:
Coming around an exposed corner, almost to the top:
Hit the summit about 12:30 MDT:
Looking back at the summit just after starting down:
Over the lip and back to serious climbing (down):
Hugging the rock on the ledges:
Snowmass and Capitol:
Maroon Lake:
More photos are at:
and a summit video is at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wClBr2pvk0
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
benners, Kinesio--Thanks for the nice comments. Yes, unforgettable. I‘m just really glad we got nice weather--it made it easier to bring back nice pics, too. And I was really proud of Trish, since exposure bothers her more than it does me.
The green gulley - it‘s easier than it looks, and much easier than its reputation! Looks like you found a fine route just the same Patrick - well done. Pyramid is my favorite 14er (so far) - lots of variety with the trail, moraine, scree, ledges, gulley, and class 3 scrambling - but without all the people you usually run into on a 14er this time of year. Congrats to you and Trisha too, on a peak well-climbed.
We found that the farther off the ridge we got--and the closer to that gully--the harder the route-finding got, irrespective of the technical difficulty. Oh well, I‘m certainly up for a re-match and being shown that I was wrong. But I actually liked the ridge!
Way to go, Patrick and Trisha! Pyramid is one of my favorite 14ers. The traffic over the years has really cleaned off the real loose stuff. It certainly isn‘t near as loose as some of the seldom climbed 13ers in the Elks. Anymore 14ers on the agenda this year?
Kevin: Eolus has already gone down; a TR will be up soon. I‘m trying to arrange a return to the Elks to enjoy (?) some more exposure.
Matt: Elmo is my alter ego, so he always gets his moment in the sun on 14er summits.
Patrick, he‘d be tickled to be included on this site, too.
Great job on one of the best of the 14ers.
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Definitely a mountain you never forget climbing.
