Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau |
Precarious Peak - 13,380 feet
Shunned by hikers, this well-named peak waits for experienced Elk Range scramblers. |
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Precarious Peak seen over Copper Lake from the East Maroon Pass Trail
The summit is on the right massiff |
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Jennifer Roach on the approach to the southeast ridge of Precarious Peak |
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Gerry Roach reaching the southeast ridge of Precarious Peak
Note the large, poised blocks - the dominant hazard on this ascent |
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Gerry on the Class 3 sequence below the first false summit |
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Jennifer downclimbing into a small notch between the first and second false summits |
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Jennifer downclimbing the Class 3 wall into the deep notch between the second false summit and the summit |
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Gerry at the step-around exit from the Class 3 wall into the deep notch between the second false summit and the summit |
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Gerry carefully negotiating the air-filled setups of interlaced, loose blocks between the deep notch and the summit |
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Victory! Gerry approaches the summit cairn |
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Evident Elk Magic
“Triangle Peak” over the splendid, unnamed lake at 12,146 feet, northwest of Copper Lake |
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Copper Lake Art |
Gerry and Jennifer took these photos on 8/17/06 |
USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Maroon Bells
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This peak is dangerous. Prior to attempting it you should be comfortable climbing peaks like the Maroon Bells and Pyramid.
The biggest danger is large, air-filled setups of interlaced, loose blocks. You must be very adept at testing holds,
and have a well-developed skill for tiptoeing across exposed, Elk Range traps. Please, no bad grabs. |