4th Class down climbing off Pyramid Peak 14,018 feet (4,273 metres)

Here we are having just left the summit of Pyramid Peak and about to spend the next couple of hours down climbing some pretty treacherous terrain. This video was taken just a few metres below the summit at almost exactly 14,000 feet (4,267 metres)

Here's my personal web page about 14ers:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/14ers.html

Here's my page about climbing in general:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/climbing.html

07-04-2009

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 4th
• class
• down
• climbing
• pyramid
• peak
• colorado
• hiking
• 14ers

[ryangi5]

I haven't been to the Maroon Bells yet, and I'm not a climber at all (just a novice hiker), but to me that looks like it would be insane to do without rope and climbing gear. Maybe that's why they are known as the Deadly Bells.

[zeekzilch]

@ryangi5

You bring up a good point. Although I was over 50 years old, at the time of this video, I had many decades of climbing experience and can safely handle such terrain. Nevertheless, it is dangerous and I would encourage those less skilled and experienced to go along with an expert and all the safety gear available.

[grumble5005]

that isnt class 4 right there

[zeekzilch]

@grumble5005

What class is it?

[grumble5005]

@zeekzilch  thats class 3 tigerlily

[zeekzilch]

@grumble5005

Okay, 3rd class sounds good to me!

[zeekzilch]

Yes, it's pretty steep. However, some of the terrain can be vertical or even overhanging. In either case, the problem is the 1,000 feet of "free air" you see directly beneath the two climbers in this video. People do get hurt and killed on Colorado's 14ers each year...

Roger J. Wendell

Golden, Colorado

[davidsquall351]

Damn that looks steep!