Trip
Basic Alpine Climb - Capitol Peak/NE Ridge (Colorado)
A classic high altitude ridge climb in the Maroon Bells Wilderness
Contacts
Peter Clitherow
Primary Leader
Qualified Youth Leader
- Tue, Jul 14, 2026 — Wed, Jul 15, 2026
- Seattle Climbing Committee
- Climbing
- Basic Alpine
- All Who Qualify, Adults
- Intermediate Mountaineering Climb
- Challenging
- Mileage: 17.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 5,300 ft
- 1 (3 capacity)
- Sat, Feb 21, 2026 at 6:53 AM
- Sun, Jul 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
This is perhaps the most challenging of the Colorado 14ers. Leader has a permit for 4 at Capitol Lake, which is around 11.5k up, so spending time at altitude prior to this will make things much more enjoyable/safer. Do have some experience of rock climbing/scrambling at high altitude prior to this please - this is not a good route for your first scramble in no-fall zones!
TBA, but do plan to spend some time in Colorado before to acclimate!
Route/Place
Roster
Required Equipment
Required Equipment
- The Ten Essentials
- Mountain boots that can accept crampons (not hiking boots)
- Crampons
- An ice axe (not technical ice tools)
- A back pack (40 to 60 liters)
- Webbing and accessory cords
- 6 straight gate carabiners
- 2 locking carabiners
- Large pear-shaped carabiner
- Belay device
- Climbing harness
- Helmet
- Chock pick (nut tool)
- Rescue pulley
- Fleece or puffy jacket
- Rain jacket and full-zip rain pants
- Belay gloves
- Warm gloves or mittens
Trip Reports