Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: June 12, 2004
Got on trail from out campsite at 4:00am. The snow in the couloir was nice and hard and great for crampons. Going up the couloir was very exciting espencially when a rock fell from above about the size of a basketball and came sailing down the couloir as a very fast pace. Thankfully I was not in it's path. The climb from the top of the couloir to the summit of South Maroon was very interesting and different from any other 14er I'd been on.
not as nasty as its rep vis a vis loose rock, but 10 grueling hours, and a real knee burner coming down. met and fell in with 3 other climbers that day. nice place, the elks. my 51st 14er.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 2002
The toughest part of the whole thing was that brutal 2,000-foot climb up to the ridge after having done the North Bell the day before. After that, it's good fun scrambling.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 20, 2003
Very fun climb. There is a little route finding necessary, but cairnes are everywhere. Actually, there were too many. This was part of a backpacking trip on the 4 pass loop.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 8-12-2003
Sure, the route seems long, but what do you expect from such a complex mountain. When you arrive at the start of the south ridge and look up at the remainder of the route it should be no surprise that it going to take some time. If clouds are beginning to build this is your time to get off the mountain for their are no escape routes once you head off onto the ridge. I thought the route finding on this mountain was an absolute blast and the views from the summit are some of the best I have ever viewed.
I would consider this mountain to be more loose than Pyramid-don't be an idiot, wear a helmet. Hiking up the steep grassy benches to gain the south ridge-I had two experiences with rock missles flying past my route at around 60-70 mph. Pyramid has more sustained climbing and has a lot more exposure.
Route Climbed: Southeast Couloir Date Climbed: July 8, 2000
A fun couloir climb topping out at a little over 40 degrees. Started too late, though, and paid dearly with it - an open bivy in the rain tied to a tree. Enchanting, aren't they?
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 29 2002
Traversed south to north with Scott B. Sunny and hot all day. The approach on the ridge seems to go on forever, but it is very well marked with cairns and never harder than class 3. 10 hours car to car.
Everything the guide books say about this peak is true. You need good route finding skills, it is dangerous and the rock is loose! I did enjoy the climb even with all it's downfalls!
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Coulior, North to South Traverse Date Climbed: May 26, 2002
Awesome climb, snow conditions were good, not another soul on the route! The traverse was easier than I was expecting after all the "horror stories". I would definately reccomend it. Pics coming soon!
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 9-17-2001
I have climbed the peak several times before but not on this route. At a cairn, on the west Maroon Pass trail, just before a creek crossing, the trail, yes, there is a trail, climbs steeply up to the ridge and then to the summit. Not nearly as difficult as the books say. It took me about 2 hours round trip from the west Maroon trail.
Route Climbed: South Ridge from Maroon Lake Trailhead Date Climbed: 7/8/94
This was a hard climb for me. I sure hated it compared to North Maroon...very steep and loose rock. I mainly remember getting back to the car totally exhausted, too tired to even think of eating.
coloradoiceclimber - Jul 4, 2004 10:39 am
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: 7/3/04This never ending couloir was an amazing climb. Sam was on Pyramid Peak on the 3rd while we were climbing the Bell Cord on South Maroon and took this photo of our route! S. Maroon From Pyramid 7/3/04 Same Bells Photo From Pyramid 8/31/02
Nate, Bill, and I had a blast in this couloir!
South Maroon Summit!
xskier77 - Jun 13, 2004 7:50 pm
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: June 12, 2004Got on trail from out campsite at 4:00am. The snow in the couloir was nice and hard and great for crampons. Going up the couloir was very exciting espencially when a rock fell from above about the size of a basketball and came sailing down the couloir as a very fast pace. Thankfully I was not in it's path. The climb from the top of the couloir to the summit of South Maroon was very interesting and different from any other 14er I'd been on.
DaveC - May 21, 2004 9:32 pm
Route Climbed: se standard Date Climbed: july 02not as nasty as its rep vis a vis loose rock, but 10 grueling hours, and a real knee burner coming down. met and fell in with 3 other climbers that day. nice place, the elks. my 51st 14er.
sbkelley - May 12, 2004 3:18 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 2002The toughest part of the whole thing was that brutal 2,000-foot climb up to the ridge after having done the North Bell the day before. After that, it's good fun scrambling.
gunnersmith - Apr 18, 2004 8:53 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 20, 2003Very fun climb. There is a little route finding necessary, but cairnes are everywhere. Actually, there were too many. This was part of a backpacking trip on the 4 pass loop.
Kane - Aug 12, 2003 8:12 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 8-12-2003Sure, the route seems long, but what do you expect from such a complex mountain. When you arrive at the start of the south ridge and look up at the remainder of the route it should be no surprise that it going to take some time. If clouds are beginning to build this is your time to get off the mountain for their are no escape routes once you head off onto the ridge. I thought the route finding on this mountain was an absolute blast and the views from the summit are some of the best I have ever viewed.
I would consider this mountain to be more loose than Pyramid-don't be an idiot, wear a helmet. Hiking up the steep grassy benches to gain the south ridge-I had two experiences with rock missles flying past my route at around 60-70 mph. Pyramid has more sustained climbing and has a lot more exposure.
RyanS - Jul 21, 2003 11:32 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 19, 2003We ascended the South Ridge and then were off to North Maroon via the traverse.
ctruscot - Jul 14, 2003 7:17 pm
Route Climbed: the class3 route Date Climbed: July 2003Way too long - goes on forever. This would be better as a snow climb up one of the couloirs in the spring!
climberkjp - Oct 22, 2002 12:38 pm
Route Climbed: Southeast Couloir Date Climbed: July 8, 2000A fun couloir climb topping out at a little over 40 degrees. Started too late, though, and paid dearly with it - an open bivy in the rain tied to a tree. Enchanting, aren't they?
KWANZOR - Oct 15, 2002 7:21 pm
Route Climbed: S. Ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 2000Obey the turnaround time rule! We got to the top about 30 minutes after the time we had originally set and got
new wave hair-dos! By the way has anyone seen my wire frame Julbos that I wildly flung into the air during my unusually FAST descent?!
rmjwinters - Oct 5, 2002 9:24 pm
Route Climbed: Traverse from N. Maroon Date Climbed: July 29 1999Tough traverse and terrible rock. The descent down the south ridge was even worse. Slippery, slippery, slippery.
Matt Mahoney - Aug 3, 2002 8:38 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 29 2002Traversed south to north with Scott B. Sunny and hot all day. The approach on the ridge seems to go on forever, but it is very well marked with cairns and never harder than class 3. 10 hours car to car.
climbcolorado - Jun 8, 2002 8:15 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 6/8/02Everything the guide books say about this peak is true. You need good route finding skills, it is dangerous and the rock is loose! I did enjoy the climb even with all it's downfalls!
coloradoclimber - May 27, 2002 10:59 am
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Coulior, North to South Traverse Date Climbed: May 26, 2002Awesome climb, snow conditions were good, not another soul on the route! The traverse was easier than I was expecting after all the "horror stories". I would definately reccomend it. Pics coming soon!
sidhayes - Sep 30, 2001 12:01 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 9-17-2001I have climbed the peak several times before but not on this route. At a cairn, on the west Maroon Pass trail, just before a creek crossing, the trail, yes, there is a trail, climbs steeply up to the ridge and then to the summit. Not nearly as difficult as the books say. It took me about 2 hours round trip from the west Maroon trail.
theplugger - Aug 29, 2001 9:42 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge from Maroon Lake Trailhead Date Climbed: 7/8/94This was a hard climb for me. I sure hated it compared to North Maroon...very steep and loose rock. I mainly remember getting back to the car totally exhausted, too tired to even think of eating.
Peter Eliassen - Aug 23, 2001 8:13 pm
Route Climbed: Standard West Maroon Route Date Climbed: 8/18/01Great climb...but a brutal descent. I loved the last few hours of the technical climb...but coming down is horrible on your knees, feet.
miztflip - Aug 9, 2001 2:13 pm
Route Climbed: Bell Cord Couloir Date Climbed: May 5, 2001What a cool climb. Not another person on the mountain.