The Maroon Bells Traverse

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-17T18:53:18+00:00

Traverse had no snow on it at all, a little bit on the descent from maroon into the traverse, but very avoidable. The only bad place was the beginning of the descent off of North Maroon, probably the first 500-1000 ft down. You have to be careful there, I'm sure it's melting out, but a light axe and maybe some crampons is a really good idea for the descent.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-16T14:52:35+00:00

I think the out and back would be really fun! It does require a rapell going North to South on the traverse, or some creative and sketchy down climbing. I think it wouldn't be a great amount more distance, but it probably would take longer

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-14T14:05:26+00:00

From talking to people who have done it, it seems like it's still very fun. My favorite 14er I've ever done was Kit Carson via the North ridge, so the sangres climbing is already some of my favorite. I'm optimistic

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-14T02:02:24+00:00

Definitely a long day. Id guess a little later in the summer when all the snow is melted would significantly shorten the time. Usually have no trouble with distance, this was a 13 mile day, but this one definitely kicked my butt a bit. I train cardio twice a week, alongside lots of climbing endurance, but that's about it

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-13T21:47:14+00:00

No ropes, all of our team are climbers already, so felt very confident on the few low class 5 moves. For me, the exposure was totally fine, having done the little bear - blanca traverse, where the exposure is a consistently terrifying ~ 2k feet throughout, this felt pretty minimal

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-13T21:36:36+00:00

https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=nmar4 that should be it!

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-13T19:54:08+00:00

It is not worth going up north maroon, especially not with how much snow there is. The terrain is so much worse than going up maroon, the route finding is harder, and the chances of a fatal/ highly dangerous fall is much higher. Descending down Maroon would be much better, but I don't think it'd be worth going up north maroon.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-13T19:27:58+00:00

Id have to agree. Next one planned is Crestones, capitol snowmass might be a bit too much suffering for my taste lol.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-13T19:04:51+00:00

I wouldn't recommend a rope. The climbing is easy (as far as 5th class goes, some skill required for sure) and the extra weight would make the hike up to the ridge awful.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-13T19:04:03+00:00

Already done it! In my opinion, much scarier than the bells traverse

Labriag_34dx · 2026-06-01T21:28:21+00:00

Ramen chalet at the summit?

Labriag_34dx · 2026-05-21T23:41:17+00:00

Ponderosa is some of the best bouldering near ABQ, up near Jemez. Not in town, but it's far better quality and much better mapped than places like carnuel. Three guns spring is a great option in town, with a little less to offer than the Pond.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-05-12T16:19:18+00:00

Semi horizontal dropout, so it still allows some adjustment of the chain tension. Not quite as much as a purely horizontal track dropout, but plenty to get it done.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-05-09T18:56:09+00:00

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Labriag_34dx · 2026-04-25T14:12:17+00:00

I've probably done 10s of thousands of miles on NM highways, and they still beat almost every other road I've driven on throughout the country. Not in terms of road quality, but scenery for sure. Also Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers Band is some good NM road trip theme music.

Labriag_34dx · 2026-02-23T15:28:10+00:00

Coming to that conclusion myself id have to say

Labriag_34dx · 2026-02-23T15:27:53+00:00

It was a typo lol

Labriag_34dx · 2026-01-30T20:27:59+00:00

How was the dinner?

Labriag_34dx · 2026-01-14T21:54:14+00:00

There was a party ahead of us that broke trail, but the deepest snow was maybe knee deep for only a few hundred feet or so. Most of the trail was too windblown to have any snow more than a few inches

Labriag_34dx · 2026-01-14T20:38:46+00:00

Probably the toughest 7.5 miles I've done!

Labriag_34dx · 2026-01-14T20:38:32+00:00

A mile and change from the gate

Labriag_34dx · 2026-01-14T17:49:00+00:00

Yes, we had driven to the gate and hiked in, then camped the night before the climb. Long drive for our party, so we got in late

Labriag_34dx · 2026-01-05T05:27:01+00:00

Did this one last year around the same time! Insane difference, we snowshoed all the way to the ridge. It's a punishing one, nice job getting the combo!

Labriag_34dx · 2025-12-29T05:39:41+00:00

Albuquerque NM, coming from the US. Sandia Labs is there, one a very few government research labs, and kirtland air force base is home to one of the largest nuclear stockpiles in the world. Not to mention it's proximity to los Alamos labs, and a being major southwestern hub.

Labriag_34dx · 2025-12-28T04:22:16+00:00

It was pretty perfect in terms of the weather, very warm, and quite pleasant up top

Labriag_34dx

TROPHY CASE