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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: July 28, 2001
- Miles Hiked: 6.8
- Elevation Gain: 5,300'
- Hiking Partner(s): None
- Description:
- There are 9 peaks in Idaho over 12,000', and Mount Borah is number one on the
12er list at 12,662'. One down, eight to go.
- The main guide I used to scramble to the 9 12ers of Idaho is a book by
Margaret Fuller entitled "Hiking Eastern Idaho". There
is an entire section dedicated to driving, route, and trail directions
of Idaho's 12,000' peaks.
- After moving to Boise, I didn't
waste anytime to travel over to eastern Idaho and climb Mount Borah in
the Lost River Range. Borah, the tallest peak in Idaho at 12,662',
is climbed mostly by the southwest ridge route. Although
non-technical, the standard route I took remains arduous and mentally
demanding. Again, the climb to the summit is not very difficult in
terms of complexity, but is can be quite fatiguing due to the steepness
of the slope.
- Idaho's highest peak is reached
from U.S. Highway 93 by driving north of Mackay 21 miles or south of
Challis 33 miles. There is a sign on the highway to indicate the
direction towards the Mount Borah
trailhead. No permits are required for climbing.
- The beginning of the trail
starts up a sagebrush/grass slope to the ridge. From here, the
climbing really starts as the trail heads up the brutally steep west
ridge of Borah. Emerging above the timberline, the route continues
to follow this ridge which is not as steep as the initial climb and
after a short distance, reaches another steep portion which involves
scrambling "Chicken Out Ridge". This knife like ridge
starts at approximately 11,300' and involves using both hands and feet
to maneuver over and around the rocks. After this, continue to
follow the ridge that crosses a steep couloir which is usually draped
with packed snow. After this you curve around to the north and
make the final ascent of 1,000' up the steep south ridge of Mount Borah.
- Ideal climbing conditions range
from early July through the middle of August when the snow pack is the
lowest. It would be wise to keep up with current weather
conditions as afternoon thunderstorms are common. In addition to
this, you have to pack all of your water as there are no reliable water
sources on the trail. Consider dropping a water bottle and your
trekking poles off right before Chicken Out Ridge and picking them up on
the way down. This lightens the load up some and gives you a few
less things to worry about during the most difficult section of the
hike.
- My initial plan was to climb
this mountain a day earlier with Chuck Bauman of Boise and a friend of
his, but this would have required me to depart on July 26th which is my
wedding anniversary. Needless to say, this didn't go over to well with my
better half and I had to postpone it one day. I left Boise around
noon on the 27th with the Trooper loaded with my hiking gear and a
cooler full of food.
- After driving past the Craters
of the Moon and making a few stops, I arrived at the trailhead in the
late afternoon. Surprisingly, Chuck Bauman and his friend were
just finishing the descent and both of them were successful at reaching
the summit. We visited over a couple of beers for an hour or so
and then they hit the road. I spent the evening reading, watching
others finish the climb, and observing more vehicles enter the parking
lot for the following days climb.
- I got up around 6:30 and was
on the trail about a half an hour later. I actually think I was
one of the last to depart from the parking lot as many others got a much
earlier start. I took a very slow and steady pace much like a
tortoise, and I am very grateful for this. I noticed many others
who attempted a faster speed which only required them to break more as
they ran out of energy.
- As described above, the
beginning wasn't too difficult until you reached the southwest ridge
which was the first test. After clearing the trees and reaching my
first close up view of Borah, I had a snack and took a quick
break. From here, I headed southeast on the ridge over a more
level section of the trail past one of the few camping sites available
on the route.
Shortly after this, the infamous Chicken Out Ridge was before me.
There definitely were a number of exposed areas, but I simply took it
slow and chose my holds wisely. I was held up by some kids in a
few spots and just took the opportunity to rest rather than seek alternate
routes.
- Once past Chicken Out Ridge, the
trail leveled off for a short section in order for me to regain myself for the final push, and quite a final push it was.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the beautiful weather that Chuck had on the
previous day, and things were a bit cold and very windy. This last
section to the summit was very difficult and I could really feel myself
being drained. No real distinct trail was evident as people were
scrambling all over the south ridge. The use of your hands was
required extensively on this section to the top, and although the summit
was always in
site, it never seemed to get any closer. I got to the point where
I was forcing myself to take 25 steps before I would stop. With no
clear route, it was much too easy to stop and think about where you were
going next rather than keep going.
- Anyway, I reached the summit
after 4 hours and 5 minutes of very hard work. But, it was well
worth it and I felt as though it was a big accomplishment for me.
The summit was fairly crowded as I snapped photos, took some video, and
rested with a snack. I was tired, but felt as though I had not
pushed too hard and was well reserved for the descent.
- The hike down wasn't as difficult
as going up, but it was difficult nonetheless. I only spent about
35 minutes on top before heading back down. The wind was picking
up and I was thankful for the gloves and stocking hat I packed
along. I got back down the south ridge and Chicken Out Ridge fine,
and it was then where I was feeling rather fatigued. In addition
to the climb itself, the wind was taking its toll on me, and I actually
had to stop and brace myself a couple of times until the gusts died
down. Of course, these may not have seemed as bad had I not just
climbed 5,000', but they were still strong.
- I made it down the ridge and
back into the trees where I felt the end was in sight. My knees
continued to take a beating as I made my way down and out of the
wind. I finally made it back to the Trooper both excited and
exhausted after descending for 2 hours and 40 minutes. Without the
energy to do a victory dance, I simply crawled into my vehicle and
headed home. Would I do it again? Not by myself, but I think
I would if I had a partner that wanted to make the trip.
- Maps:
- I wasn't real happy with the 3D
map that I got off Delorme for Mount Borah, it's facing east.
- Click here to view a 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Click here to view a 2D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Click here to view a
3D map of
the area where this hike is located.
- Photographs:
- Idaho's
high point from Highway 93.
- Basically the same photo as
above except that it is zoomed in and has the approximate
route on it.
- Looking
down from the beginning of Chicken Out Ridge. You can see how
for much of the way you simple "pick" your way through the
rock as the climbers ahead of me.
- A shot to
the southwest form the top of Borah. Chicken Out Ridge is
directly in front of the smooth granite wall of the mountain in the
background.
- This photo looks up at the final
push to the summit from a saddle at 11,750'.
- Me at the
top.
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