From: BStrand@JREngineering.com To: rockies@climber.org Subject: (rockies) N. Maroon Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 13:36:20 -0600
We climbed N. Maroon Sunday Aug. 5 via the NE Ridge. Like the other Peaks around Maroon Lake this one is steep and loose. I was surprised at how well beaten the trail was. On the way up we had little trouble route finding. If the moves look like more than a single 4th Class move you can probably find an easier way around. We shared the mountain with a party of five and a solo climber. The others made some of the cliff bands harder than necessary. On the way down we followed erroneous cairns several times and had to reclimb 300 ft at one point. It might be worth bringing some surveying flagging and marking the top of were one climbs the cliff bands for those who aren't sure of their route finding skills. Both of us have considerable route finding experience and were still led astray. It is easy to see how climbers get into trouble with cliff bands all around and loose rock. The views in the area of the "Bells" is truly world renown and I am reminded of this every time I climb there. Leave early, carefully chose your route, test all holds, and have fun.
Bill Strand, Fort Collins