When I climbed this with Daren in 1986 there was a big slab about the size of a baby grand piano near the top. When we were both on it, it slid down a little, scaring the crap outta us. It looks like that slab must've fallen in the intervening ~37 years, as it's no longer there.
Exactly. That’s what I’m thinking about looking at this video. Never heard of Mount Wilson, but this rock just doesn’t look stable the way they’re grabbing onto it it looks like a boulder could easily fall back on them.
I saw this video and thought there was no way I could climb this mountain. Then at the false summit I saw the much safer route 50 ft. below the ridge. Thanks for making this epic video.
Wow that loose rock looks scary as hell. Imagine the forces that thrust this formation up, and crumbled all that stone. One good quake and it looks like it would come down.
I got to downclimb that bit in a hailstorm with static buzzing around us after a freak storm moved in at 11am. Lesson learned-next time start from Kilpacker so I don't have to downclimb that to get to Rock of Ages.
Can you climb from Kilpacker Basin and avoid this ridge? I understand there is a 3rd? class route from Kilpacker Basin. I climbed El Diente from Kilpacker and was slowed somewhat by the heinous scree that comprises the basin. That approach for Mt Wilson unfortunately would mean even more scree.
I grew up and still live in Florida and terrified of heights. Call me a wimp but this video makes me uncomfortable just watching it. You are a brave sole and congrads.
I think whoever developed the GoPro wanted to design something that would ensure hand-sweating moments for anyone viewing videos like this, which make this exposed ridge look pretty extreme. It also looks as if it would very easy to pull on -- or step on -- a loose rock at any moment on that final ridge. I have no trouble with exposure -- except when I'm on loose rock. How dangerous is this route from that perspective?
Class 4 means you need rope protection. Clearly they did. This is why people die. I'm a Search and Rescue team member in the Sierra and we have had multiple climber fatalities this year on class 4 sections. Just saying...
Besides your skill as a climber, your life depends on the solidity of a pile of broken rock shards (many weighing a fraction of what a person weighs), most of which will be gone from their spot in the next blink of geologic time.
That is a class 4 move. Not a bad one, but a harder class 3 move plus big exposure. That moves it to class 4 even though not objectively difficult moves.
Oh those are just some cheap, generic work gloves I got at Walmart actually. They've lasted me about 3 seasons and I've had no issues with them. I mainly wear them to keep my hands from getting torn up by the rocks when climbing.
Class 3,4,5 ? Class 3 hands and feet , Class 5 roped for protection ( can solo ), Class 4 is Class 3 for those that think it is Class 5 and may need rope. The Wilson group is so rotten a rope for protection is highly recommended although it is only Class 3 . Often low level Class 5's ( 5.o - 5.6) are safer ,even solo than crumbly ,loose ,sketchy Class 3/4.
![El Diente - Mt. Wilson 14er Ridge Traverse / The Ultimate San Juan Mtns Scramble! [4K UHD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cPkiHY3AEBo/mqdefault.jpg)
When I climbed this with Daren in 1986 there was a big slab about the size of a baby grand piano near the top. When we were both on it, it slid down a little, scaring the crap outta us. It looks like that slab must've fallen in the intervening ~37 years, as it's no longer there.
Exactly. That’s what I’m thinking about looking at this video. Never heard of Mount Wilson, but this rock just doesn’t look stable the way they’re grabbing onto it it looks like a boulder could easily fall back on them.
I saw this video and thought there was no way I could climb this mountain. Then at the false summit I saw the much safer route 50 ft. below the ridge. Thanks for making this epic video.
Do you happen to have a route of that? or any kind of indicator/picture where this is in relation to the route the filmer took?
Those clouds would've had me concerned
That rain is not far off! Absolutely, with that cloud buildup I would have turned back a long time ago.
Getting back down is the hard part.
I climbed this almost forty years ago. My last fourteener. Quite possibly the most demanding of all 54 IMHO.
Wow that loose rock looks scary as hell. Imagine the forces that thrust this formation up, and crumbled all that stone. One good quake and it looks like it would come down.
That's a serious knife edge dude good job dudes
One of the scariest ascents I've been on.
I got to downclimb that bit in a hailstorm with static buzzing around us after a freak storm moved in at 11am. Lesson learned-next time start from Kilpacker so I don't have to downclimb that to get to Rock of Ages.
Can you climb from Kilpacker Basin and avoid this ridge? I understand there is a 3rd? class route from Kilpacker Basin. I climbed El Diente from Kilpacker and was slowed somewhat by the heinous scree that comprises the basin. That approach for Mt Wilson unfortunately would mean even more scree.
I grew up and still live in Florida and terrified of heights. Call me a wimp but this video makes me uncomfortable just watching it. You are a brave sole and congrads.
I think whoever developed the GoPro wanted to design something that would ensure hand-sweating moments for anyone viewing videos like this, which make this exposed ridge look pretty extreme. It also looks as if it would very easy to pull on -- or step on -- a loose rock at any moment on that final ridge. I have no trouble with exposure -- except when I'm on loose rock. How dangerous is this route from that perspective?
The portion of the ridge in this video was surprisingly solid actually, and I don't remember feeling sketched out by loose rock at all
@@icebergmaier Thanks! I plan on climbing this one or its neighbors in the Chicago Basin next summer.
I would have hit the SOS button on my Garmin Inreach for a heart attack
Class 4 means you need rope protection. Clearly they did. This is why people die. I'm a Search and Rescue team member in the Sierra and we have had multiple climber fatalities this year on class 4 sections. Just saying...
Dang looked unstable as all can be..But the rocks sticking together defying gravity..
That is a big pile of rocks.
what's it like going down that last 100 feet? I always find it so weird going backwards
What geologic forces would create those jumbled rocks on top? They look loose, like one hard grab and they could just let go.
Scariest thing about climbing is the weather. It can change too quickly and you have zero control
The shaky camera makes it hard to judge ....
So typical of the 14-ers... just feel like the whole pile of bricks is going to come down as you pull on it...
Mostly class 3 screaming at it's finest on the standard route. Nice work!
What kind of gloves do you wear???
Very awesome! Good job, men!
“ how did I just do that “ lmao 😂
You have parachutes in your backpacks right? Just in case..
How are you not scared
Some airy moves there!
Is that the only route up to the summit?
Besides your skill as a climber, your life depends on the solidity of a pile of broken rock shards (many weighing a fraction of what a person weighs), most of which will be gone from their spot in the next blink of geologic time.
I'm saving myself. For mountains that aren't crumbly af
That is a class 4 move. Not a bad one, but a harder class 3 move plus big exposure. That moves it to class 4 even though not objectively difficult moves.
Thats scares the the hell out-of me.
Made my palms sweat!
The Beehive offers PG climbing with more stability followed by bracing swim at the Sand Beach.
Good lord. I would not want to be near that rotten rock on that knife edge
Insane.
what kinda gloves are those? Do you recommend those? My hands tend to get sweaty :P
Oh those are just some cheap, generic work gloves I got at Walmart actually. They've lasted me about 3 seasons and I've had no issues with them. I mainly wear them to keep my hands from getting torn up by the rocks when climbing.
That's a choss pile. One block comes off that you grab the wrong way and you're finished.
I thought there was a 400 foot vertical climb here?
I hope ya'll are still alive and well. Terrifying 😱 hobby.
Class 3,4,5 ? Class 3 hands and feet , Class 5 roped for protection ( can solo ), Class 4 is Class 3 for those that think it is Class 5 and may need rope.
The Wilson group is so rotten a rope for protection is highly recommended although it is only Class 3 . Often low level Class 5's ( 5.o - 5.6) are safer ,even solo than crumbly ,loose ,sketchy Class 3/4.
I'm getting vertigo on the couch watching
Which trail head did you take ?
Kilpacker Basin TH
I dont think I could trust that stack of rocks you guys are climbing over to get to the top.
Nice, thanks.
How long did the traverse take summit to summit?
It took us about 3.5 hours summit to summit, although we probably could have done it in 3 hrs or less if we hadn't been taking our sweet old time
Airy and so beautiful. Ad alta
Is that class 3 or 4 scrambling?
Mostly class 3 with one class 4 move near the top
I wanted to throw up just watching this. Jesus my legs would give out on me if I were there.
No need. You’re at the top.
No room for error
I think I would stop and be happy with summit minus 100. Not worth dying.
I'd paraglide back down.
Just a little a'sposed.
I nearly pissed myself
I love to hike, but class 0 is as high as ill go.
Sweaty palms
We did that on acid.
musta been one hell of a trip!
dude that last part was sketchy af
Dude, those rocks are not stable. Lol
i could do this drunk
only way i would do it..