I've done Browns (many times) and Brother (once), but always managed to talk myself out of doing the Motherlode. This video confirms that was a good call on my part! But, I sure wish I could get up to the old growth pines on the back side of Sister & Amethyst. They've survived both the Lone and Bush fires.
I was just telling Troy that Brown's and Brother and back is really a fun adventure. It's that Sister peak that changes everything. Getting up and down that without climbing vertical walls requires hiking way down and then way back up. Finishing before dark would be impossible that way. If you ran out of time and had to hike off Sister peak in the dark, it would be incredibly dangerous, even for the most experienced mountaineers. The ML is hard, no doubt about it. I say I'd never do it again, but with enough climbing experience, I may find myself as comfortable as Troy is free soloing vertical terrain some day. For now, that's a big NOPE.
That was an amazing video! I have lived in the east valley since the mid 60's and have spent a ton of time in the 4 Peaks area and always wonder about what it was like up there. I definitely have a fear of heights and could never do that trail but I sure enjoyed seeing it up there from your perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! It was scarier than I expected, but I’m a total novice when it comes to mountaineering. Troy seems to like it (he might need some therapy though) 😂
Yeah Joe, no doubt about it. This is right at the edge of what I feel comfortable doing. Felt great to complete it, but I’m not going to risk my life like that again. Not tryin’ to die out there!
Great video again, Brevan. I've looked at that a few times and wondered whether a traverse is possible and now I know. Absolutely amazing effort and great views. By the way, I loved the intro!
Dude this is a great video. I have attempted this traverse but only got halfway from Browns to brother. It’s my goal to traverse the whole thing. Looks like I definitely need ropes tho. Thanks for posting. Do you have a gpx file of the route you used?
Thanks Tyson! No GPX file, and that’s on purpose. As far as I know, there are no maps of the route. I think it’s more of a “choose your own adventure” type of thing. I would have never made it without Troy showing me the way. No chance at all, the route is not intuitive.
That's awesome and terrifying, man. I stared at that traverse up close and said 'hell no.' I would have froze up with that exposure for sure. Were you out there this past weekend?
Yeah man, did that on Saturday. Sister peak was the worst. Vertical climbs… no rope. Troy moves like a mountain goat up there, I’m more like a yellow lab. 😁
I see you guys came back on the west face trail. I wandered that trail to discover a small house or cabin in the gully between Sister and Amethyst. It was fenced off and posted. What's the status of that place? Do you know anything about it? I wouldn't mind using that gully as access to Sister and Amethyst, but I don't want to trespass. It definitely seems like the best approach to those two peaks. I'm not really interested in traversing Brother to Sister. I've already been on Browns and Brother and wanted to hit the other two from the saddle between them. Recommendations?
Yep, that's the Amethyst mine and it is private property. Troy has found a route around it, that keeps you off of their property, but it does add a few miles to the route. Basically, take the ridge to the right of the mine and stay out of the gully the mine is in. Not sure how easy it will be to go up that ridge, its pretty overgrown and there is no trail. Going down was a challenge, but not too bad once we got off the rock. We found the pack trail easy enough.
Yes! I struggled to control the fear… constant heart pounding burns more calories and we were burning enough just trying to complete the traverse. One and done!
HA HA! Yes sir, this is seriously risky. Funny enough, I've been focusing on learning how to climb and I'm getting more and more comfortable in this type of terrain...with more experience I could see myself doing this again some day. Can't tell Mrs. Juice though. LOL!
Technically yes, we should have had a rope for the class 5 stuff for me. Troy doesn’t need it, but I’m an amateur. Troy did bring a small homemade “rescue” rope made of braided paracord. I wrapped it around my chest at one point, about 20ft up a low grade class 5 wall. Just for some reassurance that I wouldn’t die if the holds broke off.
No. Way. Do you remember when you thought Battleship in the Superstitions was the scariest thing you'd ever done? I was all tensed up just watching this one.
Man.....That looked every bit as terrifying as I thought it would be.
Perfect. I tried hard to capture the terror! I can’t think of any way to make it less terrifying.
I've done Browns (many times) and Brother (once), but always managed to talk myself out of doing the Motherlode. This video confirms that was a good call on my part!
But, I sure wish I could get up to the old growth pines on the back side of Sister & Amethyst. They've survived both the Lone and Bush fires.
I was just telling Troy that Brown's and Brother and back is really a fun adventure. It's that Sister peak that changes everything. Getting up and down that without climbing vertical walls requires hiking way down and then way back up. Finishing before dark would be impossible that way. If you ran out of time and had to hike off Sister peak in the dark, it would be incredibly dangerous, even for the most experienced mountaineers. The ML is hard, no doubt about it. I say I'd never do it again, but with enough climbing experience, I may find myself as comfortable as Troy is free soloing vertical terrain some day. For now, that's a big NOPE.
Only one word: Badass. Thanks for sharing this brother👍
That was an amazing video! I have lived in the east valley since the mid 60's and have spent a ton of time in the 4 Peaks area and always wonder about what it was like up there. I definitely have a fear of heights and could never do that trail but I sure enjoyed seeing it up there from your perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! It was scarier than I expected, but I’m a total novice when it comes to mountaineering. Troy seems to like it (he might need some therapy though) 😂
This is nuts man. the human test you put yourself through is admirable. I was over here stressing about my icy flatiron hike 3 weeks ago.
Yeah Joe, no doubt about it. This is right at the edge of what I feel comfortable doing. Felt great to complete it, but I’m not going to risk my life like that again. Not tryin’ to die out there!
Great video again, Brevan. I've looked at that a few times and wondered whether a traverse is possible and now I know. Absolutely amazing effort and great views. By the way, I loved the intro!
Thanks Alan! Yes sir, this was a bit more than I bargained for! I'm going to stick to a little less life threatening adventures moving forward.
Dude this is a great video. I have attempted this traverse but only got halfway from Browns to brother. It’s my goal to traverse the whole thing. Looks like I definitely need ropes tho. Thanks for posting. Do you have a gpx file of the route you used?
Thanks Tyson! No GPX file, and that’s on purpose. As far as I know, there are no maps of the route. I think it’s more of a “choose your own adventure” type of thing. I would have never made it without Troy showing me the way. No chance at all, the route is not intuitive.
OMFG get busy living or get busy dying. Astounding video.
That's awesome and terrifying, man. I stared at that traverse up close and said 'hell no.' I would have froze up with that exposure for sure.
Were you out there this past weekend?
Yeah man, did that on Saturday. Sister peak was the worst. Vertical climbs… no rope. Troy moves like a mountain goat up there, I’m more like a yellow lab. 😁
Nice! I was up on Mound Mountain Peak on Sunday. It was definitely a cold weekend to be up on those peaks.
@@WolfPackM98c Nice! That’s the big one. I was wondering how that hike went. See you at the group hike Sunday!
I hope the video looked sketchier than it really was! You did a great job capturing all this! Awesomely terrifying!😮
Jim! The video is an accurate representation of the sketchiness! Terrifying!
Man that's an intense day...congrats on completing it. That's a big notch in your belt!
Hey Clint, thanks man. You’re right, this was a bucket list, for sure. I just didn’t realize the bucket would be full of my own tears! 😭
My bass player is half mountain goat. Jeez.. that's a great video!! Props!
No kidding! And, he certainly has a couple of titanium body parts impervious to fear.
😂😂
@@MoonJuiceHikesThey’re brass😂
That was like a horror movie.
I’ll do the CT with you again any day, but this you are on your own! 😊
😂 I’m not doing this again!
That was riveting 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Congratulations!
Thank you!! 😁
I remember being on top of Brown's peak, thinking to myself "how the hell do you get to the other peaks?" 😅
Right!?! Not even a hint of a trail or path or anything the entire way. Crazy!
Geeezzz!!! Well done!! my butt puckered watching this craziness
Butt puckering burns calories and add to fatigue, this trek was exhausting!
Very cool video! Have you been to the amethyst mine up one of the canyons south of browns peak?
Yeah, we stood on top of Amethyst peak… descended around the mine to skirt their property, which added a few miles to the trek.
Been there, done that, 58 years ago😊
I see you guys came back on the west face trail. I wandered that trail to discover a small house or cabin in the gully between Sister and Amethyst. It was fenced off and posted. What's the status of that place? Do you know anything about it? I wouldn't mind using that gully as access to Sister and Amethyst, but I don't want to trespass. It definitely seems like the best approach to those two peaks. I'm not really interested in traversing Brother to Sister. I've already been on Browns and Brother and wanted to hit the other two from the saddle between them. Recommendations?
Yep, that's the Amethyst mine and it is private property. Troy has found a route around it, that keeps you off of their property, but it does add a few miles to the route. Basically, take the ridge to the right of the mine and stay out of the gully the mine is in. Not sure how easy it will be to go up that ridge, its pretty overgrown and there is no trail. Going down was a challenge, but not too bad once we got off the rock. We found the pack trail easy enough.
🎶So Alive🎶
LOL! Not only does it fit perfectly...but we were singing it. Perfect song for the occasion.
Been in my head ever since😂
Yeah, that’s some crazy stuff. You can mark it off the list, but I’m with you, one wrong step is all it takes.
Yes! I struggled to control the fear… constant heart pounding burns more calories and we were burning enough just trying to complete the traverse. One and done!
Man! You are insane! You need to get your head checked 😂😂😂
Badass ! 😎🤘🤘🤘🤘💪
Thanks for sharing 👍
HA HA! Yes sir, this is seriously risky. Funny enough, I've been focusing on learning how to climb and I'm getting more and more comfortable in this type of terrain...with more experience I could see myself doing this again some day. Can't tell Mrs. Juice though. LOL!
@@MoonJuiceHikes LOL! 😂 you are risking getting smacked across your face! 🤕🙈
@@bobbafett7407 oh man, I did give her permission…. 🤣🤣
Nice video! Did you need a rope at all? I've done Browns but would like to do all 4 peaks someday.
Technically yes, we should have had a rope for the class 5 stuff for me. Troy doesn’t need it, but I’m an amateur. Troy did bring a small homemade “rescue” rope made of braided paracord. I wrapped it around my chest at one point, about 20ft up a low grade class 5 wall. Just for some reassurance that I wouldn’t die if the holds broke off.
@@MoonJuiceHikes nice thank you for the heads up! I might be up there in 2 weeks and will see what happens. Thanks for making this video
No. Way. Do you remember when you thought Battleship in the Superstitions was the scariest thing you'd ever done? I was all tensed up just watching this one.
Oh yeah, I remember it well! This makes Battleship look like a walk in the park. Crazy how the bar keeps getting raised…
dude bro
I know dude... crazy stuff
Me: three hours for this.