Video of our July climb of Mt Borah in Idaho. Check out the awesome rock formations and snow peak at Chicken-Out-Ridge, and the severe thunder storm that chased us off the mountain.
Did the weather make you turn around? Last year after I summited Long's Peak I got stuck in a huge hail and lightning storm. My friend and I barely got back to treeline when lightning struck maybe 20 feet behind us. Borah looks simple and less scary than Longs. Although the elevation gain and grade is a bit larger. I'll be climbing Borah, Kings, and Gannett this summer. I can't wait. Maybe Long's again, very beautiful day hike.
Yes, it did turn us around and force us down! 2 of us got separated from the third in our party. He actually got stuck up there squatting in the most secure location he could find until it passed. We were closer to the treeline so we started hiking down and eventually moved to almost a jog. At one point lighting struck somewhere behind us and I felt the tingle on the back of my head - a very eerie feeling. When we talked to the party that was trailing us they said they came across a boulder that was smoking/sizzling. If you haven't climbed yet, get up there as early as possible. We made the mistake of camping 20 miles from the base and had to pack up our tents before we drove out. The CONSTANT assent caused us to go slow enough that we didn't hit Chicken Out Ridge until early afternoon, when the thunderstorms start to roll in almost daily in the summer. There are places to camp at the base which can save you time. Other than the weather and the lack of flat places to rest, it's not a bad climb at all. Good luck!
Yes, definite bummer. My brother-in-law had a goal of reaching the tallest peak in every state so to turn around so close really frustrated him. But when I felt the electric tingle on my back from a nearby lightning strike on our way down I felt pretty good about heading down. 😀
Smart decisions, no need to be in the clouds when they start to rumble. I've watched this video a few times, hope you've gone back and summuted! And I was wondering if your mother was a teacher in McCall Idaho?
Apologies for the late reply I just noticed this question. If I recall correctly it took about 6-7 hours total, with the climb making up most of that. Coming down is pretty quick unless you have knee problems. That said, I know plenty of younger climbers who did it in much less time so if you're in shape it'll probably be more like 4-5 hours. We even saw some young men jogging down on our way up. We took a lot of breaks and I hauled a lot of water up which slowed me down.
I love Borah I climbed it this last summer ( Summer of 2016) and it was amazing. 10 hours. I will never forget it.
Was that ten hours round trip or one way?
It's an amazing hike!! I just climbed Borah 5 days ago. The best rush I've had in a while! wish I woulda got a video, too!
I would have pooped my pants if I was the guy at 2:51.
Good thing there was a cable to hold on to or he would've been severely injured
"severely injured" is a gross understatement.
I love hiking, but my kind is limited and done at about 1:21 of this climb when the falls begin. But thanks for the Climb of Mt. Borah.
Great footage! Thanks!
Awesome video! Some sketchy looking clouds there.
Looks like a blast!
Cool
What is the final push to the top like? Class 3 scrambling?
Did the weather make you turn around? Last year after I summited Long's Peak I got stuck in a huge hail and lightning storm. My friend and I barely got back to treeline when lightning struck maybe 20 feet behind us.
Borah looks simple and less scary than Longs. Although the elevation gain and grade is a bit larger.
I'll be climbing Borah, Kings, and Gannett this summer. I can't wait. Maybe Long's again, very beautiful day hike.
Yes, it did turn us around and force us down! 2 of us got separated from the third in our party. He actually got stuck up there squatting in the most secure location he could find until it passed. We were closer to the treeline so we started hiking down and eventually moved to almost a jog. At one point lighting struck somewhere behind us and I felt the tingle on the back of my head - a very eerie feeling. When we talked to the party that was trailing us they said they came across a boulder that was smoking/sizzling.
If you haven't climbed yet, get up there as early as possible. We made the mistake of camping 20 miles from the base and had to pack up our tents before we drove out. The CONSTANT assent caused us to go slow enough that we didn't hit Chicken Out Ridge until early afternoon, when the thunderstorms start to roll in almost daily in the summer. There are places to camp at the base which can save you time. Other than the weather and the lack of flat places to rest, it's not a bad climb at all. Good luck!
Bummer to have to chicken out after you beat Chicken Out Ridge, but I understand weather on mountain peaks.
Yes, definite bummer. My brother-in-law had a goal of reaching the tallest peak in every state so to turn around so close really frustrated him. But when I felt the electric tingle on my back from a nearby lightning strike on our way down I felt pretty good about heading down. 😀
Smart decisions, no need to be in the clouds when they start to rumble. I've watched this video a few times, hope you've gone back and summuted! And I was wondering if your mother was a teacher in McCall Idaho?
The ice melt is almost completely gone.
How long did it take to climb all the way to the top?
Apologies for the late reply I just noticed this question. If I recall correctly it took about 6-7 hours total, with the climb making up most of that. Coming down is pretty quick unless you have knee problems. That said, I know plenty of younger climbers who did it in much less time so if you're in shape it'll probably be more like 4-5 hours. We even saw some young men jogging down on our way up. We took a lot of breaks and I hauled a lot of water up which slowed me down.
Well that made me sick