I really hate the quality of this video compared to what I am putting out now, so please keep the timing of this film in mind and check out my other videos!
I hiked Crestone Needle with a couple buddies in August of 2017. It was my fifth 14er and absolutely fucking terrifying....but something I will never forget!
Thank God for channels like this -- Now I can climb the Colorado 14ers virtually, and experience the fear of Class 4 with extreme exposure without the risk of actual IRL death.
This was an incredibly detailed and well done breakdown. I'm new to peakbagging (only a year in), and have yet to even touch the ones in CO. Currently working on the babies (comparatively) in Southern NM while stationed in Texas, and seeing videos like yours really keeps things not only in perspective, but also provides excellent guidance and milestones for future endeavors as my experience grows and journey continues. Thank you! Also, I had no idea they had a GoPro Glove! That's a must!
After all that rain in 2019, that garbage South Colony road got even worse. In particular, the big drainage pipe is even more washed out underneath. 4WD (not AWD), the ability to really downshift, and high clearance suggested.
You make incredible videos. I’m just a hiker but I’m often in these areas and have wondered what it’s like way high up. Thanks for the glimpse and maybe I’ll get up there someday.
At just after 4:10, another climber overheard in the background on summit of Crestone Peak: "I'm gonna see if I can call my mom." Cell and sat phones have changed so much about outdoor adventure. In my day decades ago you called people before you left home, disappeared for days, then called everyone when when you got back to let 'em know you're ok. The new age of communications has made peak bagging safer and more accessible to the masses, for better or worse. I'm a nostalgic dinosaur but I admit I wouldn't go to the wilderness now without my phone.
Really love the videos and I just subscribed. I know you tried the Loft Route in a Long's attempt, but have you considered Mt Meeker via the Iron Gates? I would love to see that video!
How do you feel this compares to Capitol Peak? Exposure wise? Great footage! And did give a good perspective. Just wondering how you felt here as opposed knife edge? Thanks.
They are both tough hikes - both in the approach and the technical skill needed. It depends how you are with exposure to compare them - personally, I feel more uncomfortable when the exposure is behind me vs under me, so the knife edge did not bother me that much. Capitol is less technical (no class 5 move) but both tough. Gun to head, I would probably choose the crestones traverse because you have to summit two 14ers along the way. FWIW - the Maroon Bells Traverse was much harder than both IMO.
Rowwr1200 Is Awesome for me it was bells traverse, Capitol, Crestones - but like any comparison everyone will have different opinions. Bells had the most route finding, loose rock and technical moves out of the three.
Good stuff! Was in the Sangres this past August at South Colony. Appreciate the many angles and reference points you shot. Really helpful. Great vid... I've watched most of yours👍
Capitals Knife edge is way easier less EXPOSURE. The crestones are no joke, the traverse is one of the hardest if not the hardest traverse in CO. You must have great route finding skills, and be able to climb class 5 with no hesitation.
With so many opportunities to buy the farm on Crestone, I think I'll be content to admire it from afar from the less leveraged real-estate of Twin Peaks and Blanka,.
What do you bring to set camp for a night? I'm wondering because I did a hike like this where i camped out and I just ended up keeping like a MASSIVE pack that was not good at all.
What I typically do for things like this is set-up camp and leave everything I possibly can at base camp which makes my main bag lighter and much less bulky. In addition, I have recently started bringing a second, much more small and packable bag which really helps as well. You can check out my website where I list my usual backpacking gear on any of the CT segments: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/colorado-trail-collegiate-peaks-west-2-trail-guide/
Max Sperlich depends on the hike - but usually it’s a ditch/set up the tent and then summit. Goal is always to carry the least amount of weight that you need to.
@@TheVirtualsherpa In the video you say you're going to show us how its done then it skips ahead to when everyone is already up. Would be cool to see what's required in the move. Thanks for the vids!
![The Crestone Traverse, 14,203'! Epic Class 5 Climbing, Sangre de Cristo Mountains Colorado [4K UHD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ulvQ_YB5F_A/mqdefault.jpg)
I really hate the quality of this video compared to what I am putting out now, so please keep the timing of this film in mind and check out my other videos!
Redo it but I think this is still a great video
That's one of the finest climbing videos I've ever seen. Informative, well filmed, and most of all, NO background music!
I hiked Crestone Needle with a couple buddies in August of 2017. It was my fifth 14er and absolutely fucking terrifying....but something I will never forget!
Thank God for channels like this -- Now I can climb the Colorado 14ers virtually, and experience the fear of Class 4 with extreme exposure without the risk of actual IRL death.
Me too, I consider myself an armchair mountaineer.
Thanks for the awesome memories, my brother and I along with 4 buddies climbed the Needle in September of 1984!
The down shot to the lake at 11:35 gives a true view of how extreme the fall line is. Fantastic!
Yes I know I spelled "reviewed" wrong at the end of the video. Whoops!
And the reivew before that :o
I get literal cold feet and weak knees just watching. I live down in the SLV and look at those peaks daily. Glad you did such a great job filming!
This was an incredibly detailed and well done breakdown. I'm new to peakbagging (only a year in), and have yet to even touch the ones in CO. Currently working on the babies (comparatively) in Southern NM while stationed in Texas, and seeing videos like yours really keeps things not only in perspective, but also provides excellent guidance and milestones for future endeavors as my experience grows and journey continues. Thank you!
Also, I had no idea they had a GoPro Glove! That's a must!
After all that rain in 2019, that garbage South Colony road got even worse. In particular, the big drainage pipe is even more washed out underneath. 4WD (not AWD), the ability to really downshift, and high clearance suggested.
That drainage pipe was nuts. My friend had a high clearance 4WD truck and it still took him a couple tries to get over it.
It's fixed and better now but even within just a season or two rednecks driving in mud have ruined it again. Yay.
Get to that trailhead EARLY. September 2023 0830 there were cars parallel parked a 1/2 mile down the road.
You make incredible videos. I’m just a hiker but I’m often in these areas and have wondered what it’s like way high up. Thanks for the glimpse and maybe I’ll get up there someday.
Nice work. Never doing it ... but great to see a sweet video of it.
Few!! I'd definitely need to get many peaks in the bag before this one. Looks like an amazing time with previous day approach! :)
That final summit push was terrifying to watch knowing you had a camera in your hand.
Great video! I enjoyed your trip. Thanks for the cheat code!
That's what he said...love it!
Great footage. You make it look easy.
Love your vids especially since I’m ticking off 14ers. Why wouldn’t you actually record the 5.2 move?
At just after 4:10, another climber overheard in the background on summit of Crestone Peak: "I'm gonna see if I can call my mom." Cell and sat phones have changed so much about outdoor adventure. In my day decades ago you called people before you left home, disappeared for days, then called everyone when when you got back to let 'em know you're ok. The new age of communications has made peak bagging safer and more accessible to the masses, for better or worse. I'm a nostalgic dinosaur but I admit I wouldn't go to the wilderness now without my phone.
Really love the videos and I just subscribed. I know you tried the Loft Route in a Long's attempt, but have you considered Mt Meeker via the Iron Gates? I would love to see that video!
Jason Werges def plan on getting back to meeker soon and the plan would be iron gates - traverse - down loft.
@@TheVirtualsherpa ill be waiting for that one! Thanks for the rad mountain videos
Nice video! Thanks!
The Colorado 14ers are getting way overcrowded . Hopefully the skill levels are still good, as is judgement .
How do you feel this compares to Capitol Peak? Exposure wise? Great footage! And did give a good perspective. Just wondering how you felt here as opposed knife edge? Thanks.
They are both tough hikes - both in the approach and the technical skill needed. It depends how you are with exposure to compare them - personally, I feel more uncomfortable when the exposure is behind me vs under me, so the knife edge did not bother me that much. Capitol is less technical (no class 5 move) but both tough. Gun to head, I would probably choose the crestones traverse because you have to summit two 14ers along the way. FWIW - the Maroon Bells Traverse was much harder than both IMO.
@@TheVirtualsherpa I heard Capitol was the hardest
Rowwr1200 Is Awesome for me it was bells traverse, Capitol, Crestones - but like any comparison everyone will have different opinions. Bells had the most route finding, loose rock and technical moves out of the three.
Good stuff! Was in the Sangres this past August at South Colony. Appreciate the many angles and reference points you shot. Really helpful. Great vid... I've watched most of yours👍
Capitals Knife edge is way easier less EXPOSURE.
The crestones are no joke, the traverse is one of the hardest if not the hardest traverse in CO. You must have great route finding skills, and be able to climb class 5 with no hesitation.
You can always do the clasic Ellingwood Arett ( 5.8)
Or skip over and do the Prow on Kit Carson .
With so many opportunities to buy the farm on Crestone, I think I'll be content to admire it from afar from the less leveraged real-estate of Twin Peaks and Blanka,.
Having watched your Mt Blanka episode, I take that back. I've only climbed Twin Peaks; not Blanka.
I will be content to admire it from the less leveraged real-estate of my computer. hahahaha
I did this as a dayhike from the upper 4WD TH. How would you say that compares to capitol? Am I ready?
Class 3, easy! Class 4, terrifying!
Looks scary
It def has some white knuckle moments, but overall not too bad if you are used to exposure.
Random thing to point out, but starting around 9:48 a cloud appears which looks like a face lol
What do you bring to set camp for a night? I'm wondering because I did a hike like this where i camped out and I just ended up keeping like a MASSIVE pack that was not good at all.
What I typically do for things like this is set-up camp and leave everything I possibly can at base camp which makes my main bag lighter and much less bulky. In addition, I have recently started bringing a second, much more small and packable bag which really helps as well. You can check out my website where I list my usual backpacking gear on any of the CT segments: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/colorado-trail-collegiate-peaks-west-2-trail-guide/
Is the rappell station bolted or is there just a bunch of webbing ?
Webbing so I’d bring your own to be safe if you plan on going in reverse
Have you ever tried to get to Kit Carson from South Colony Lakes?
Bears playground ,then either side of Columbia point to Carson
@@georgesheffield1580 I tried that 2 years ago and ran into 20-30 foot cliff before I made it to Bears Playground and decided to turn around.
Do you have any footage of the actual 5.2 pitch??
Watch the full video my dude, you literally can’t miss it.
@@TheVirtualsherpa Must have missed it!
do you guys leave your tent and get it on the way back or take it all with you?
Max Sperlich depends on the hike - but usually it’s a ditch/set up the tent and then summit. Goal is always to carry the least amount of weight that you need to.
So you don’t have to climb back down the needle?
You go down the Needle - just take the standard route which I don’t show in the video - hoping to get back to refilm soon.
Do you climb down on your butt or do you face the slope as you descend?
Usually it’s much much safer (albeit less comfortable) to climb down facing the rock. Depends on the steepness and situation though.
I pooped myself watching this.
Go watch little bear Blanca traverse next 💩💩💩💩
You left out the 5.2 move?
th-cam.com/video/gFw6Zjubjtk/w-d-xo.htmlm50s
@@TheVirtualsherpa In the video you say you're going to show us how its done then it skips ahead to when everyone is already up. Would be cool to see what's required in the move. Thanks for the vids!
did that guy have a baby on his back lol
too sketchy for me