Brad’s Classics

Climbs & Scrambles:
Capitol Peak – Knife Edge Capitol Peak From any direction, Capitol Peak in the heart of Colorado’s Elk Range screams “Alpine!” The Knife Edge route is a classic and a lot of fun, topping off a long and scenic approach with some class 4 scrambling to the summit.
Teakettle Mountain Teakettle Mountain Despite a lot of loose rock on this short and steep climb, this is a unique mountain worth visiting. The 360-degree view of the San Juans alone is worth the trip. Not to mention the summit pitch, and of course, the teakettle’s handle.
Kit Carson Peak – North Ridge Kit Carson Peak Aesthetically speaking, this route is the best scramble I’ve done to-date. Adding to it the southwest face of Columbia Point and
Kit Carson Avenue to Challenger made this one of my all-time favorites.
Blanca – Gash Ridge Gash Ridge A great variety of climbing on this seldom-visited ridge.
Old Rag Mountain – 9-Mile Loop Old Rag Mountain The ridge run to the summit of Old Rag Mountain in Virginia is about as good as scrambling can get in the mid-Atlantic.
Bullion Divide – Wasatch Range, Utah Bullion Divide Seven mountains with plenty of scrambling and some knife edges–a great but tiring introduction to Utah’s Wasatch Range.

Snow & Glacier:
Radio Control Tower – East Ridge Radio Control Tower Surrounded by some of North America’s highest and most spectacular mountains, this route from the northeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier should not be overlooked. Crevasse danger and overhanging cornices, along with a mini knife edge of snow and a steeper summit slope keep things interesting.
Longs Peak – Keplinger’s Couloir Longs Peak Longs Peak is one of my favorite mountains, and this is one of the most secluded routes to the summit. This involves a lot of trail-hiking and bushwhacking, followed by an easy couloir climb and steeper snow slopes near the summit, depending on the season.
Cathedral Peak Cathedral Peak An under-rated Elk Range classic. It’s got all the “S”s I look for: Solitude, Scenery, Scrambling, and Snow.
Conundrum Peak – Conundrum Couloir Conundrum Peak This was my first snow climb in Colorado, and still one of my favorites. The couloir tops out right next to the summit.

Hikes:
Paintbrush Divide / Cascade Canyon Loop Paintbrush Divide Hike Alpine Bliss amidst lakes, wildflowers, glaciers and the soaring Tetons.
Swiftcurrent Pass and the Garden Wall Garden Wall, Montana Glacier National Park at its finest–the best scenery I’ve witnessed in the Lower 48 states.
Arches National Park – Delicate Arch Delicate Arch A Utah Classic.
Vermilion Peak and Ice Lake Vermilion Great San Juan scenery, including wildflowers, waterfalls, and beautiful lakes.
Mount of the Holy Cross – Halo Ridge Mount of the Holy Cross Full of historical significance, this hike has it all: lakes, wildflowers, a view of the famous Holy Cross Couloir, and even a stone shelter at 13,600 feet.
French Mountain French Mountain Favorite hike in Colorado’s Sawatch Range.
Sky Pond & The Loch- Rocky Mountain National Park The Loch A popular area in Rocky Mountain National Park, this gorge is often crowded, but I can’t help going back.

Honorable Mention:
Grand Teton Grand Teton A crowded, but classic climb, with world-class scenery and a 100-foot open-air rappel.
Dallas Peak Dallas Peak A great climb in the San Juans with four distinct sections: 1. easy trail hiking, 2. a slog up the steep stuff, 3. scrambling to the main event, 4. a classic summit pitch and rappel.