It’s amazing to watch your videos. I am so glad your channel exists. No background music, just the sounds of breathing and the earth crunching beneath you, and vast, beautiful scenery. Thank you. Congrats on your accomplishment!!
A 14er guidebook I once had said that every climb via the Lake Como road had one of two photos: The "This is where we had to start our hike in the middle of the desert" photo, or the "This is where the Jeep broke down" photo.
The traverse was a once in a life time adventure, major head game! Much respect for this portion of the climb. I road my bike up the, uh, "road" and did the climb the next day after a good night sleep/rest instead of doing it all one LONG day like this, nice work! I was hit by rockfall in the hourglass and was lucky enough to turn my pack to it as a shield before it impacted me. One warning, do NOT use the rope on the way up, it is often badly damaged due to the rock fall which there is LOTS of. On the way down you can inspect it as you descend it.
Uh road is right. It's awful. Good idea with such little sunlight at this point. The sustained rope there usually needs to be replaced every year or so. I suspect after the winter, it's gonna be pretty bad. Glad you were safe from rockfall. The hourglass rockfall is NO JOKE. Just ice and water warming can move rocks and make that spot so dangerous this time of year. Congrats on your summit. Will there be a video?
@@FoorTrek The rock fall that hit me was from climbers above, one big rock started a chain reaction, exploding cannon ball, was the story I got when I reached the climbers above and I believe it. That could compromise the rope fast truly best not to use it on the way up! I did make a video but I did not want to hijack your channel. I respect you and all your hard work. At least now it is buried in the replies, please go to my channel and check it out, I have worked VERY hard this summer on my videos. See the 2020 trailer and I think you'll want to see more . . . this is the Little Bear traverse video, ua-cam.com/video/gF04YTbBH2s/v-deo.html I hope you like it. I'd love to be buddies, maybe we could do a peak next spring? I did Kelso Ridge today on Torreys, WOW way tougher with the winter approach and snowy scrambles! I hope the video comes out nice! Please drop me a line anytime! Your new subscriber, Karl
Little Bear's on my list, but I'm definitely gonna wait a while and build more experience seeing this. When you look at photos of the route, it doesn't necessarily do it justice. The video really demonstrates how loose and steep it is. Great job!
my fav mtn range!!!!!!! Lake Como is gorgeous. I have only made it up Blanca. My Ellingwood attempt was failed due to a random storm. You are a rockstar! (no pun intended) Holy crap that climb is intense!
Oh what a great climb of LB! That’s one of just 3 14ers left to climb on my list. Done E and L twice and Blanca 3 times; last time I finally camped in that área but stormy weather cancelled our plans to do LB in 2019. I have twisted my ankles many many times on that nasty road, but as much as I hate it I must hike it again one day to bag LB. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I was a regular watcher of your videos until the pandemic hit. Just yesterday I was thinking needed to see your videos again and what you were up to. Omg, thanks for sharing! I can’t believe you are able to record while doing these “bears of a climb!”
Wow Dr. Forr I've been reading up on the trailhead and path approaching and Wikipedia and everything I can find about what you have just done I'm very impressed with that hike congratulations my friend that is some accomplishment.
Soooo, I was watching this vid two nights ago, hammock somewhere above Breckenridge when I came face to face with a bear. I said “hey bear” and then turned the video towards him and he ran off. Shows how much respect Dr Foor has in the bear community.
@@FoorTrek we did a fantastic Utah trip and have permits to backpack Cathedral lakes for labor day, lots of death valley trips so yeah, we're getting out there!
First off...you're crazy. BUT thank you for taking us on this extremely difficult hike. There is NO WAY I ever could have done it, even when I was your age or younger. I feel for your wife, but she knows that it's just something you have to try and you very well accomplished it. Kudos sir.
That is closer to mountain climbing than hiking. Some great views. That is only 300 feet less gain the Whitney and about 5 miles less distance, but it looks much harder.
That rope is always there, thanks to many experienced climbers. Usually inspected by other hikers and reinforced if need be with newer ropes. I myself examined the rope thoroughly on the way down. I didn't use it much going up.
That traverse is a long mile to Blanca. I believe Gerry Roach said it's the most astonishing. Frankly, it looks like the hardest 14er traverse in all of Colorado.
My husband and his friend did that. All in a day! They’ve done all the hard traverses and said Maroon Bells was the hardest for them. Love your vids and we often imitate you on the mountain 😊.
Great job! Love your channel. Your videos and commentary are excellent. Have you done the Maroon Bells yet? I know you did Capitol and I headed there over Labor Day! Keep up the great work and thanks for all that you do.
I'd nope out of that one. Major consequences. Great accomplishment for you and I congratulate you Brandon, but that's not for me. I'm not your dad but you probably should find a partner to go with you on some of these more dangerous summits. Keep adventuring but stay safe.
Totally understandable Allen and I value the input. With so much lose rock, its a balance between safety hiking with others and going alone. Safety is the priority. Note the video. I'm not holding the camera going up the toughest parts.
please find a way to mount the camera on your helmet or something -- i don't want to see you climbing dangerous areas and trying to hold the camera, and God forbid that you slip and fall.
do you know if MTBs are allowed on the road up to Lake Como? I think it would cut the approach time significantly if it was ok. Given that you can take a jeep up it you would think that bikes would be allowed but you never know
FoorYourSuccess did it last week for my 3rd and 4th fourteeners. A lot of fun class three on the way to Evans. Worst part is getting back to the Bierstadt parking lot
Isn't that hike from the base of Lake Como Road a blast???? Worst ever! Little Bear hike is a great one though! Next time you need to give the LB to Blanca Traverse a shot. That one was epic! Congrats on doing this!
Back in the 90s, I was camping at Lake Como and a young guy said he was going up Little Bear in the morning then rappelling down. Was he actually referring to the rope you showed or is there a separate rap station / base up there?
@@FoorTrek For me the descents were more risky. Tired and unfocused. I fell a few times, twice in mud crossing a creek and once going down scree. Fortunately the steep slope meant a short fall, basically sitting down.
@@OspreyFlyer I've always found descending to be more difficult than climbing on steeper terrain. Not as much of a cardio workout for sure, but harder on the legs and more risk of falling.
Hi Russ. I'd say Capitol, but it's really close. LB is harder with the approach because of scree and lake como road. Capitol is harder because of severe route finding and loose Elk range rock past the knife edge.
Brandon, this is a most dangerous hike! Loose rock and quite steep. And your persistence matches your impressive skills. Congratulations!
It’s amazing to watch your videos. I am so glad your channel exists. No background music, just the sounds of breathing and the earth crunching beneath you, and vast, beautiful scenery. Thank you.
Congrats on your accomplishment!!
Thank you! If you can, please subscribe!
Woo-hoo !!!
Please keep hiking, recording and posting.
Signed,
Your faithful audience
Awe! Thank you Angela.
A 14er guidebook I once had said that every climb via the Lake Como road had one of two photos: The "This is where we had to start our hike in the middle of the desert" photo, or the "This is where the Jeep broke down" photo.
The traverse was a once in a life time adventure, major head game! Much respect for this portion of the climb. I road my bike up the, uh, "road" and did the climb the next day after a good night sleep/rest instead of doing it all one LONG day like this, nice work! I was hit by rockfall in the hourglass and was lucky enough to turn my pack to it as a shield before it impacted me. One warning, do NOT use the rope on the way up, it is often badly damaged due to the rock fall which there is LOTS of. On the way down you can inspect it as you descend it.
Uh road is right. It's awful. Good idea with such little sunlight at this point. The sustained rope there usually needs to be replaced every year or so. I suspect after the winter, it's gonna be pretty bad. Glad you were safe from rockfall. The hourglass rockfall is NO JOKE. Just ice and water warming can move rocks and make that spot so dangerous this time of year. Congrats on your summit. Will there be a video?
@@FoorTrek The rock fall that hit me was from climbers above, one big rock started a chain reaction, exploding cannon ball, was the story I got when I reached the climbers above and I believe it. That could compromise the rope fast truly best not to use it on the way up! I did make a video but I did not want to hijack your channel. I respect you and all your hard work. At least now it is buried in the replies, please go to my channel and check it out, I have worked VERY hard this summer on my videos. See the 2020 trailer and I think you'll want to see more . . . this is the Little Bear traverse video, ua-cam.com/video/gF04YTbBH2s/v-deo.html I hope you like it. I'd love to be buddies, maybe we could do a peak next spring? I did Kelso Ridge today on Torreys, WOW way tougher with the winter approach and snowy scrambles! I hope the video comes out nice! Please drop me a line anytime! Your new subscriber, Karl
I bow to you Karl. Congrats again on the little bear to blanca traverse, the HARDEST 14er traverse and you did it and solo too. You've got real guts.
Little Bear's on my list, but I'm definitely gonna wait a while and build more experience seeing this. When you look at photos of the route, it doesn't necessarily do it justice. The video really demonstrates how loose and steep it is. Great job!
Super difficult and I'm really lucky there was no one else on the hike. So much loose rock.
I can tell you one thing, you're video is the closest I'll ever get to summiting Little Bear!
my fav mtn range!!!!!!! Lake Como is gorgeous. I have only made it up Blanca. My Ellingwood attempt was failed due to a random storm.
You are a rockstar! (no pun intended) Holy crap that climb is intense!
Yes it is. That range is difficult to get to with such a brutal approach.
I've hiked Lake Como Road several times. Your video brought back so many memories. Thanks for posting! 👍
And I'm sure you remember how brutal that road is!
@@FoorTrek I understood completely your elation that you never had to go up that road again for a fourteener! 😂
Congrats Dr. Foor....fantastic accomplishment!
Great video of the route. It brought back great memories from 30 years ago.
Thank you Tim! I was fortunate for dry conditions, blue skies, and not another hiker around for potential rockfall.
Excellent.
Taking your time on that climb was the right approach.
Always appreciate the videos
Thank you Kirk. It's not about time, but safety on those incredibly difficult routes.
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your success with us all!😎🏞
I can't imagine coming back down
It was definitely dangerous coming down and I'm really happy there was no hikers climbing up!
Wow!!! That looked gnarly, but congratulations on this amazing accomplishment. Glad you are back safe and sound. Rock on :)
Rock on girl!
You are so bad ass ! Inspiring solos !
I trained and worked hard for Little Bear!
It's just perfect, thank you for sharing with us 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏
My pleasure 😊
Congratulations 🍾 you are absolutely amazing!!! What an accomplishment!!
You're kicking butt Diana. Congrats on your recent 14er success!
When I heard your voice upon opening this I yelled "YES!" Thanks for the quality videos professor of the hills
Ohhhhh yeahhh!! I always dig your enthusiasm, that's why you're my fav hiking professor.
BOOM
WOW!!! YOU ARE AND THAT WAS AMAZING!!!
Oh what a great climb of LB!
That’s one of just 3 14ers left to climb on my list. Done E and L twice and Blanca 3 times; last time I finally camped in that área but stormy weather cancelled our plans to do LB in 2019. I have twisted my ankles many many times on that nasty road, but as much as I hate it I must hike it again one day to bag LB.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I was a regular watcher of your videos until the pandemic hit. Just yesterday I was thinking needed to see your videos again and what you were up to. Omg, thanks for sharing! I can’t believe you are able to record while doing these “bears of a climb!”
Thank you Jen. It sure was difficult.
@@FoorTrek OMG you made by day by responding!! :)
Wow, that was an incredible hike. Congratulations and thank you for sharing.
Wow Dr. Forr I've been reading up on the trailhead and path approaching and Wikipedia and everything I can find about what you have just done I'm very impressed with that hike congratulations my friend that is some accomplishment.
Thank you so much. :-)
Soooo, I was watching this vid two nights ago, hammock somewhere above Breckenridge when I came face to face with a bear.
I said “hey bear” and then turned the video towards him and he ran off.
Shows how much respect Dr Foor has in the bear community.
LOL. Well, the number one threat in America a few years ago were bears. Now they're just a bad football team in Chicago.
I thought your Crestone Needle hike was insane!
Needle is tough. The rock is conglomerate so the grips and footholds are so much better. This is another world.
FoorYourSuccess I did the needle on Saturday and the rock was soooo solid
congrats Dr. Foor! I climbed Wheeler peak the same day you climbed Little Bear. It was a little hazy to be sure. I love watching your videos
I love Wheeler Peak!
congrats for finishing the Range!! WOW WOW WOW this is a crazy climb, you are amazing!! thanks for the awesome video
Thank you sir. Hope you are doing well and out and about adventuring somewhere!
@@FoorTrek we did a fantastic Utah trip and have permits to backpack Cathedral lakes for labor day, lots of death valley trips so yeah, we're getting out there!
That’s a tough one, quite the accomplishment!
First off...you're crazy. BUT thank you for taking us on this extremely difficult hike. There is NO WAY I ever could have done it, even when I was your age or younger. I feel for your wife, but she knows that it's just something you have to try and you very well accomplished it. Kudos sir.
If I were married....
Awesome! Truly happy for you!
Thank you so much! I've wanted to accomplish this hike for a long time.
Awesome. You’re a beast, no doubt!
Appreciate it!
You have awesome content here on this channel . Keep it up!
Thank you for the kind words and for being a subscriber for years!
Nicely done sir
One handed. Your a Madman!
That is closer to mountain climbing than hiking. Some great views.
That is only 300 feet less gain the Whitney and about 5 miles less distance, but it looks much harder.
Way, way harder.
Think this is the first time I’ve seen you using a rope. It looked steep, this looked hard!
That rope is always there, thanks to many experienced climbers. Usually inspected by other hikers and reinforced if need be with newer ropes. I myself examined the rope thoroughly on the way down. I didn't use it much going up.
Really cool,Thanks!
Crazy to think some people go through this, then go across the class 5 traverse to Blanca. No thanks
That traverse is a long mile to Blanca. I believe Gerry Roach said it's the most astonishing. Frankly, it looks like the hardest 14er traverse in all of Colorado.
My husband and his friend did that. All in a day! They’ve done all the hard traverses and said Maroon Bells was the hardest for them. Love your vids and we often imitate you on the mountain 😊.
It’s said to be the hardest of the 4 great traverses; I pass too lol
Nice work
Been Waiting for this one!! WOW!
You now know where to hold summer camp. :-)
Like all the stone stacking to mark the way
Impressive, Ill be there next month to do Blanca , Ellingwood. Then around to hike Lindsey . Not sure about little Bear on the down climb
Take a helmet and your time. Enjoy!
Great job! Love your channel. Your videos and commentary are excellent. Have you done the Maroon Bells yet? I know you did Capitol and I headed there over Labor Day! Keep up the great work and thanks for all that you do.
Wow
Where there's a Little Bear there's a Momma Bear 🐻
Let me know how that hike goes.
When can we expect another great hiking video?
Way to go!! You did it... :-) How many 14ers do you have left in Colorado (if you know off-hand)?
Thank you sir! Around 10 :-)
Have you ever hiked the organs in southern New Mexico? The Organ needle hike is considered the hardest in NM, however this trumps it by a loooong shot
I have not, but heard about it. Sounds like a wonderful adventure!
Awesome Dr. Foor. Congratulations. So... harder than capitol??
Tough to say. They're different. I'd say Capitol is still harder.
FoorYourSuccess thanks. Was the hourglass the toughest section you’ve ever come across on a 14er?
I'd nope out of that one. Major consequences. Great accomplishment for you and I congratulate you Brandon, but that's not for me. I'm not your dad but you probably should find a partner to go with you on some of these more dangerous summits. Keep adventuring but stay safe.
Totally understandable Allen and I value the input. With so much lose rock, its a balance between safety hiking with others and going alone. Safety is the priority. Note the video. I'm not holding the camera going up the toughest parts.
@@FoorTrek I was impressed by some of the parts that you did manage to do one handed with a selfie stick.
Little Bear is the most dangerous 14er by far.
Capitol and Little Bear are in a league of their own with the final approaches!
Do the Kit Carson North Ridge
I know many who have done the north ridge. Challenging for sure!
please find a way to mount the camera on your helmet or something -- i don't want to see you climbing dangerous areas and trying to hold the camera, and God forbid that you slip and fall.
do you know if MTBs are allowed on the road up to Lake Como? I think it would cut the approach time significantly if it was ok. Given that you can take a jeep up it you would think that bikes would be allowed but you never know
Yes, you can ride your MTB. Keep in mind how brutal some of the sections will be.
@@FoorTrek Ok thanks for the confirmation. Love your vids!
You should do the sawtooth!
Maybe one day!
FoorYourSuccess did it last week for my 3rd and 4th fourteeners. A lot of fun class three on the way to Evans. Worst part is getting back to the Bierstadt parking lot
Isn't that hike from the base of Lake Como Road a blast???? Worst ever! Little Bear hike is a great one though! Next time you need to give the LB to Blanca Traverse a shot. That one was epic! Congrats on doing this!
I'll leave the traverse to you!
@@FoorTrek maroon traverse july 30 if interested
Back in the 90s, I was camping at Lake Como and a young guy said he was going up Little Bear in the morning then rappelling down. Was he actually referring to the rope you showed or is there a separate rap station / base up there?
That I don't know. My guess would be the standard route I hiked.
That rope was installed sometime in the mid-2000s, so your guy probably genuinely repelled.
When YOU say it’s brutal then I know it’s nothing to play with!
How are you sir? Hope you are well in your adventures. Keep up the awesome positive vibes on IG!
FoorYourSuccess I’m doing well! Missing the altitude but planning to make my way back.
How long do you usually stay on top of a peak?
I was up there for 20-25 minutes, mostly to relax and refocus myself for the hike down.
@@FoorTrek For me the descents were more risky. Tired and unfocused. I fell a few times, twice in mud crossing a creek and once going down scree. Fortunately the steep slope meant a short fall, basically sitting down.
@@OspreyFlyer I've always found descending to be more difficult than climbing on steeper terrain. Not as much of a cardio workout for sure, but harder on the legs and more risk of falling.
How long did it take for you to get to lake como ? Man I follow all of your videos what a introduction to hiking 14 ers
Hello Emery. It took about two hours to hike that grueling road to lake como.
@@FoorTrek Thank you for the feedback sir , it will give me a good estimate on time going up.
Any trout in that lake?
I'm sure there is fish, but unsure what kind.
Real Good Brandon. Reeeeeaaaaal Good.
Notice there are some comments asking where Steve is?
You did this in one day?!
Yes I did!
What type of gloves are you using?
Gardening gloves and have grip. :-)
Okay, since I know you've climbed both (and I've climbed neither and likely never will): Which is harder Capitol or Little Bear?
Hi Russ. I'd say Capitol, but it's really close. LB is harder with the approach because of scree and lake como road. Capitol is harder because of severe route finding and loose Elk range rock past the knife edge.
is this or capitol harder?
They're really close. I'd still say Capitol because of the traverse and severe route finding past it.
@@FoorTrek Thanks Dr. Foor. Your channel is amazing, and you've inspired me personally to train and eventually hike a 14er. Keep being awesome!
Little bear..you need a new rope. Thats a steep mother
Sure is steep!
Little Bear looks too hardcore for me. :(
It is hardcore. The good news is there is other hikes that are probably better in the area. :-)
This is a day hike bro...
and they are not called Karens...
Right! Cairns :-)