I’ve been in Boulder for a little over a month now, and last week I decided to set out on working on the experiential side of working my way towards becoming a mountaineer.
So, what are my current goals?
- Climb as often as possible.
- Hike as often as possible.
- Take as many wilderness, outdoor education classes relevant to mountaineering as possible.
- Summit all the peaks in the Boulder Mountain Group during the month of April.
- Set new hiking & climbing goals for May.
- Hike as often as possible.
- Take as many wilderness, outdoor education classes relevant to mountaineering as possible.
- Summit all the peaks in the Boulder Mountain Group during the month of April.
- Set new hiking & climbing goals for May.
Since the snow is melting and Spring is beginning to bloom in the Front Range, I have landed in Boulder at the perfect time of the year to start training. By the time Winter comes around again later this year, I hope to be ready for some trad and ice-climbing, which I hope can prepare me for ski-mountaineering.
My first two summits in Boulder were South Boulder Peak & Bear Peak: the two highest points in the Boulder Mountain Group. The great thing about these two peaks is they are both along the same trail and ridge line, so you can hit them both during your hike up the Mesa Trail.
This trail system has many superb trails, and they also connect you to the trial systems that start at Chataqua Park.
The Mesa Trail that leads you up to South Boulder Peak & Bear Peak also takes you right by the iconic, Devil’s Thumb.
The elevation gain up the mountain ended up being about 3,000 vertical feet, with most of the gain occurring once you get into Shadow Canyon.
This hike was incredibly enjoyable, and if I had started earlier, I could also have snagged Green Mountain – guess I will be returning!
South Boulder Peak: 8,549′
Bear Peak: 8,461′
