Wow this is by far the best video of the Capitol Peak climb that I've seen on UA-cam. Most people just post a few minutes of shaky video on the knife's edge. Your video shows what a beautiful area Capitol Peak is in. Also, I understand that most climbers die not on the knife edge, but instead they perish on the way down from the summit, thinking they have found a shortcut off the established route. But as your shot at 4:24 shows, there is no shortcut back to the lake.
Thanks for your generous comments. It is true most fatalities happened during the descent when folks were tired and looking for a shortcut down to the lake before the knife edge. Also that area below the summit is quite steep and loose. We made sure to double check each hold on both ascent and descent
Another thrilling adventure! You capture the beauty of the landscape and difficulty of the climb superbly. I was holding by breath as I watched you cross the knife’s edge and then go up steep, loose terrain. Your sense of accomplishment was obvious in the still photo atop the summit and with you high-fiving your hiking partner. Have you ever had any close calls where a fall would have been fatal? What are your three remaining 14ers? Thanks for taking us along!
Thank you so much. On higher class3 or class4 terrain with exposure a fall would likely be fatal. It’s a calculated risk I’m willing to take with some margin for error. As far as actual close call, the only one I can think of is on a winter climb up Dragon’s Tail Couloir in RMNP this year where both my feet started slipping at the same time. Luckily I was able to stop the slide with my axe quickly or I would go down a long way on a 50° slope. That experience convinced me to get a pair of good mountaineering boots for next winter
@@ruggedland I’m in my 6th decade and a solo hiker so I have turned more cautious lately. I once got off route between Mount Spalding and Mount Blue Sky on packed snow and ice on a very steep slope. Fortunately, my microspikes gripped well as I slowly made my way in the prone position (hands and feet touching snow) as I nervously repeated the words, “I didn’t sign up for this!”.
Until recently, I didn’t realize how adventurous you are. I’m really enjoying going back and watching your vids. You and your buddy are great climbers! I assume you’re working on completing all the Colorado 14’ers. Well, you just knocked out what many say is the hardest, congrats! How many more do you have left of the 58?
Thanks Trige. Yes my friend is close to finish all CO 14ers. He has one left (Little Bear) beside the two private ones that are off limit. It wasn’t one of my goals to begin with but as I get closer to finish them I decided go for it. I’m sitting at 48 now and can realistically wrap it up next year. Thanks for watching
Thanks Vickie. People use different techniques to traverse the knife edge, some crouch it, some straddle it, some brave folks even walk over it. Thankfully the rock on the ridge is more solid than elsewhere on the mountain and as long as one maintain 3 points of contact it’s not too bad. The crux comes after the knife edge during summit push, where one finds steeper terrain with loose rocks to deal with. Definitely one of the most difficult climbs I’ve done so far
Got some great views here!!
Thanks 👍
@@ruggedland ❤️❤️❤️
Wow this is by far the best video of the Capitol Peak climb that I've seen on UA-cam. Most people just post a few minutes of shaky video on the knife's edge. Your video shows what a beautiful area Capitol Peak is in. Also, I understand that most climbers die not on the knife edge, but instead they perish on the way down from the summit, thinking they have found a shortcut off the established route. But as your shot at 4:24 shows, there is no shortcut back to the lake.
Thanks for your generous comments. It is true most fatalities happened during the descent when folks were tired and looking for a shortcut down to the lake before the knife edge. Also that area below the summit is quite steep and loose. We made sure to double check each hold on both ascent and descent
That was outrageous, so difficult, that took balls, great scenery
Thanks 🙏
Awesome video! What an epic climb!
Thank you Austin!
This video is amazing! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful experience! 👍20
Thank you!
sweet day!
Yes it was!
Another thrilling adventure! You capture the beauty of the landscape and difficulty of the climb superbly. I was holding by breath as I watched you cross the knife’s edge and then go up steep, loose terrain. Your sense of accomplishment was obvious in the still photo atop the summit and with you high-fiving your hiking partner.
Have you ever had any close calls where a fall would have been fatal?
What are your three remaining 14ers?
Thanks for taking us along!
Thank you so much. On higher class3 or class4 terrain with exposure a fall would likely be fatal. It’s a calculated risk I’m willing to take with some margin for error. As far as actual close call, the only one I can think of is on a winter climb up Dragon’s Tail Couloir in RMNP this year where both my feet started slipping at the same time. Luckily I was able to stop the slide with my axe quickly or I would go down a long way on a 50° slope. That experience convinced me to get a pair of good mountaineering boots for next winter
@@ruggedland I’m in my 6th decade and a solo hiker so I have turned more cautious lately.
I once got off route between Mount Spalding and Mount Blue Sky on packed snow and ice on a very steep slope. Fortunately, my microspikes gripped well as I slowly made my way in the prone position (hands and feet touching snow) as I nervously repeated the words, “I didn’t sign up for this!”.
Until recently, I didn’t realize how adventurous you are. I’m really enjoying going back and watching your vids. You and your buddy are great climbers! I assume you’re working on completing all the Colorado 14’ers. Well, you just knocked out what many say is the hardest, congrats! How many more do you have left of the 58?
Thanks Trige. Yes my friend is close to finish all CO 14ers. He has one left (Little Bear) beside the two private ones that are off limit. It wasn’t one of my goals to begin with but as I get closer to finish them I decided go for it. I’m sitting at 48 now and can realistically wrap it up next year. Thanks for watching
Congratulations to you both! I don't know how you walk on such narrow areas of this climb? You have incredible balance. Great video too.
Thanks Vickie. People use different techniques to traverse the knife edge, some crouch it, some straddle it, some brave folks even walk over it. Thankfully the rock on the ridge is more solid than elsewhere on the mountain and as long as one maintain 3 points of contact it’s not too bad. The crux comes after the knife edge during summit push, where one finds steeper terrain with loose rocks to deal with. Definitely one of the most difficult climbs I’ve done so far