Editor’s Note: If you have ever traversed a “knife edge” in the mountains or, in my case, crawled across a knife edge, you will enjoy writer Walt Borneman’s essay.
I agree. Most 14teeners have high exposure high risk parts of the route. One stumble or slip and you’re history. Especially when it’s storming and the rocks are wet. We also had some crazy scree descents.
Glad to see that Alan Stark and I were not the only 14teener climbers to make daring, if not foolish, weather decisions because of summit fever. We were chased by many thunder storm brigades but not on knife edge ridges. I also have to admit to skipping most of the last most difficult, challenging, and dangerous summits for someone at my skill level.
Speak for yourself Bro, I thought all the 14ers we did were difficult, challenging, and dangerous because I had limited mountaineering skills and less common sense. I was just thinking of that last pitch on Wetterhorn.
Longs has the highest number of fatalities and is very accessible.
I agree. Most 14teeners have high exposure high risk parts of the route. One stumble or slip and you’re history. Especially when it’s storming and the rocks are wet. We also had some crazy scree descents.
Glad to see that Alan Stark and I were not the only 14teener climbers to make daring, if not foolish, weather decisions because of summit fever. We were chased by many thunder storm brigades but not on knife edge ridges. I also have to admit to skipping most of the last most difficult, challenging, and dangerous summits for someone at my skill level.
Speak for yourself Bro, I thought all the 14ers we did were difficult, challenging, and dangerous because I had limited mountaineering skills and less common sense. I was just thinking of that last pitch on Wetterhorn.