North Ridge of Hayden Spire a.k.a. The dumbest idea in the park  5.9 R

874 page views Good page?

Type:  Trad, Alpine, 9 pitches, 1400 feet, Grade III Consensus:  5.9 [details] FA:  J.DuBois & C. Trimble? New Route:  Yes Submitted By:  justin dubois on Jul 15, 2010 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (1) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

BETA PHOTO: The" dumbest idea in the park" as viewed from Trai...

Add Photo  Add Comment    Printer View

Description 

This is basically the crest of Hayden's main North features, starting at the lowest point, Topping out on the East Pinnacle. Someone has had to have climbed it, but we found no evidence. We did 9 roped pitches, 1 -100' rappel off a tower, and lots of "easy" scrambling.

3 out of 9 pitches were really good, the rest is....mountainy
we dodged a few obviously sick sections of exposed arete/ridge for the sake of time and cranky weather, but It's clean all the way if you stick to the ridge!

Descent: Continue to divide and Flattop trail via Hayden's long summit ridge (3rd class).

OR arrange a descent back to Lonesome Lake to the east of the Spire for Trail Ridge Rd access.
The route name was inspired by our good friend Kelly Cordes, who, upon hearing about our torturous hike exclaimed, "That must be the dumbest idea in the Park!"

Location 

Hayden Spire in Hayden Gorge approach via Trail Ridge or as we did from Flattop Mountain Trail.

Either way is relatively long and arduous. If you approach via The Divide (Flattop), it requires dropping down around 1500' into the cirque. Almost creating a committing "Black Canyon-esque" feel.

Protection 

Single rack, maybe extra 1" stuff.

Photos of North Ridge of Hayden Spire a.k.a. The dumbest idea in the park Slideshow

Add Photo

Chris on the really nice pitch 4. 5.8 bullet face...	Pitch 8.	Looking back down the ridge from the summit of Eas...