Colorado 14ers: Mt Sneffels via Southwest Ridge Virtual Trail Guide
The southwest ridge of Mt Sneffels is a fun alternative to the standard route up the summit. This ridge is mostly class 3 with a medium amount of exposure and FANTASTIC views of the blue lakes below.
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Just moved to the area last month and I want to do my first 14k 😻 this one looks like fun and it’s so beautiful
Duuude somebody totally dropped a deuce on the Kelso Ridge when I did it…..left the paper and put two rocks on top…. small rocks…..so gross
Thanks for calling out the trash. I’m seeing so much of it everywhere now. I can’t believe people do this to the beautiful environment.
Honestly the downclimb wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Tricky navigation in sections though, almost went down the wrong couloir. I don't recommend bringing a 30lb backpack up though 😂
Fantastic hike. Fantastic views. ✌️
Climbs alone up crumbled shale with deadly sheer drops into rockfall couloir behind while one hand is occupied holding selfie stick. Wow!
Well-done video. The finger pointing of the route is helpful.
I took my dog, 50lb border collie, up the southwest ridge. A few spots where it was deffy sketch but he made it. Standard route down, notch was the only problem
What month did you climb this?
Definitely doing this one next summer, I ended up doing Uncompaghre instead this summer because descriptions of the standard notch made me nervous. After seeing it, I really don't know what the big fuss is about
Really nice video, one of your best. Great drone shots and good music too, I have climbed Sneffels almost 30 years ago from what I guess would be the NW ridge , over Tea Kettle ( ? ) to the col of the standard route. It was early June so 90 % snow and ice climb. Is is a beautiful area….again, congrats on the video !
Outstanding videos, thank you so much for taking the time to make these! As a lifelong backpacker and mountaineer, I know firsthand what's involved with getting up and back from these summits, so you taking the extra time to explain the routes and show the tricky stuff is awesome. Cheers to many more, stay safe out there!
Just did this exact loop last month. I’m glad I can share this with family and friends. You did an excellent review and felt the same way approaching the standard route
I was in Yankee Boy Basin about 3 weeks ago. San Juans are awesome!
I've used the SW ridge about a half dozen times (I live in the area), A friend & myself wrestled a 40 pound very experienced dog one time by handing him up one ledge at a time. Some hilarious moments but not to be repeated. My most memorable trip was arriving at the top and finding "WTC…9/11/01" chalked in I removed the graffiti and it was only when I stopped in Silverton that I figured out that things were now different.
On the descent I always spent as much time on the south side. Some exposure but much better rock. I think using the gully is one of the most dangerous routes in all of Colorado. Rocks coming from the top have no place to go but ricochet down the gully. I have had a near fatal close call & I know for a fact that there have been injuries/fatal incidents. For what its worth I have taken my golden retrievers up & down Sneffels with no problems.
That was a long time ago.. I am retired from climbing after a VERY close call on Jagged & more than content to relive the mountains through your eyes.
Yesss been wanting this vid. Your quality in this one is just awesome lol great job! I was here two weeks ago for the blue lakes trail but I hope to come back and camp at lower blue lake to bag Mt. Sneffels.
Bro you are killing it with this cinematography. Excellent work especially with the drone.
15:08 @rynemoen says you should go up and over on the right hahha
One of my favorite climbs and mountain.
Thanks for bringing back the memories. This was one of my favorites. I highly recommend the Blue Lakes approach. https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=9224&parmuser=habaceeba&cpgm=tripuser
your amazing man! WAY TO GO!!!
Gorgeous views! Thanks for sharing this
Just added this to my summer list. What gorgeous shots and insightful explanations! Thx!
Surprisingly it did not sound windy at all, which is not the case for a lot of 14er summits. You had terrific weather. I like when you comment on how dog-friendly the route is and use Juno as the benchmark.
Highly recommend coming up from Blue Lakes. There’s some great camping there if you backpack in.
Great drone work! I really can’t wait to do this route! Thanks for your awesome 😎 video.
Love the drone footage! This is definitely on my list for this year. So epic
This was my very 1st 14er back on September 1st! 9:00 did not look that easy when I was there. 3 inches of snow and the rock grabs were solid ice. I nearly shit myself goin up that. This looks so much easier haha! Man what a sketchy experience that was XD
What's worse, Sneffles descent or Bross?
when did u record/climb this?
Great video – can't wait to do this route next summer. The editing / production of these videos keeps getting better and better. Well done!
You recommended this route to me on another video, can't wait to hike this next summer!
Request : mt sneffels via snake couloir in spring
Awesome video! I’ve done Sneffles twice now and the first time I did it I came up from below the blue lakes. You should totally do it it’s an awesome hike!
Great video as always. Just a quick nag: I see at about the 13 minute mark till you gain the summit you use your left hand/arm for balance quite a bit. Please please please be careful and try not to take any extra risk for us subscribers.
Great video !!
Sneffels is on next years list. After watching this I’d consider the Southwest Ridge up and down. Not a fan of that loose gully especially if there’s a crowd. Thanks for the quality vid and info as always.
Great views from the summit of Sneffels thanks for showing this to us, can see this is not a route I would want to take with the exposed class 3 moves you did. Have done the hike up to the pass from Blue Lakes it is beautiful the all the way.
Beautiful video as always, for now I'm living vicariously through your adventures!