We woke up early and prepared for the climb ahead with a good breakfast. The weather seemed to be cooperating. Karma and Shelly at the picnic table.
We get a glimpse of Borah peak beyond. It seems like a long distance from our location.
On the way up we passed by this old Gnarled and weathered tree. Trent and Shelly posing for the camera.
We made it above the tree line and decided to take a little break. Now the climbing begins.
Trent is making his way up to Chicken out Ridge. We had been on top of the Razors Edge in the background of the photo.
As we approached Chicken Out Ridge we found a "bottle neck" there. A team of French climbers were roping up and were holding up many of the other groups of climbers. That is Borah Peak in the background. The trail leading to the summit can be seen etched into the side of the mountain.
There is a lot of exposure on the ridge which is why they call it "Chicken Out Ridge". If you don't look at the exposure it is actually fairly non-technical climbing.
This guy was pushing the limits of exposure at chicken out ridge. The other side of where he is climbing is a long drop.
This is a view of the ridge from the loose talus slope below. As I inched my way down to take this photo Trent told me about an accident in this same spot where a climber was glissading from the snow bridge down to this area during a winter climb, built up too much speed, and kept sliding all the way to the base of the the slope.
This is a photo looking back up the talus slope to the snowbridge. Chicken out ridge is to my right in this photo.
Looking from the snowbridge to the adjacent mountains.
Crossing the saddle to the base of the next and last pitch. This will be the steepest and most difficult part of the climb.
We stopped to have some snacks to re-fuel and to hydrate before the last pitch. Aaah...fuel for the body!
Karma, with just a few more steps to the summit. Notice how the light is much different in these summit photos. That is the knife edge in the background and crop circles in the valley below.
Nate joins us at the Summit.
Tim joins us at the Summit.
Trent joins us at the Summit.
Shelly is working her way up the last pitch to the summit. She is almost there!
Sit back and relax with your favorite Clif bar. Remember we are only half-way. Keep an eye on the clouds over the next few photos.
Karma re-hydrating at the summit. We brought some smoked salmon and other good food to the top for some much needed energy.
There are some bright blue lakes off the back side of Mt. Borah.
Trent's Altimiter watch reads 12,680 feet. The true elevation according to the USGS is 12,662 feet.
Shelly joins us at the Summit. She has also made a new friend on the way up.
(From Right to Left)
Trent Koci, Michele Koci, Tim Terry, Nathan Mitchell, Tad Jones, Karma Jones
(From Right to Left)
Tim Terry, Tad Jones, Karma Jones, Nathan Mitchell
(Notice the clouds starting to form in the background)
(From Right to Left)
Tad Jones, Karma Jones, Tim Terry
We start down from the Summit.
Working our way down presents some challenges & is a bit more risky than climbing up. The rocks are extremely sharp and there are climbers coming up the mountian so there is limited room to pass each other. Much of the decent is a controlled slide down. Leather gloves are a good idea!
We work down the talus slope. Passing climbers coming the other direction. Thunderstorms are starting to brew in the afternoon heat.
While trying to pass another climber coming in the opposite direction, Karma steps to the side of the trail and the edge of the trail lets loose beneath her. The resulting fall leaves lacerations on her lower legs from the sharp rock.
We all arrive safely at the base. We stop to pose for a photo before tending to blisters, sore muscles, and cleaning up Karma's wounds.
We tell stories about he day's adventures. The next morning it is pouring down rain so we pack up everything and head to Challis for one of the best breakfasts I have ever had!
~Tad Jones