Sunlight at Last
- www.kevin-palmer.com - After climbing 3,800 feet in 2.5 miles, the trail ends. That was the easy part. The next section is about what you would expect with a name like “Chicken Out Ridge.” A highly exposed, near vertical cliff face must be negotiated, with a 2,000’ drop on either side. After that it’s one final scramble up steep, loose scree to the summit. Borah Peak is not only the apex of the Lost River Range, but also the highest point in Idaho. The views were spectacular, although diminished some by smoke. Unlike Bora Bora, Borah is no tropical paradise. Climbing season is short. The hazardous snow bridge on the upper slopes typically doesn’t melt out until the end of July. Borah Peak is also notable for being located on a fault line. In 1983 a magnitude 7.3 earthquake caused the mountain to rise by 7 feet. The looming descent had me wishing I had a wing suit, so I could fly the vertical mile back to the trailhead. But there are no shortcuts. The way down proved just as difficult as the way up.
Sunlight at Last
- www.kevin-palmer.com - After climbing 3,800 feet in 2.5 miles, the trail ends. That was the easy part. The next section is about what you would expect with a name like “Chicken Out Ridge.” A highly exposed, near vertical cliff face must be negotiated, with a 2,000’ drop on either side. After that it’s one final scramble up steep, loose scree to the summit. Borah Peak is not only the apex of the Lost River Range, but also the highest point in Idaho. The views were spectacular, although diminished some by smoke. Unlike Bora Bora, Borah is no tropical paradise. Climbing season is short. The hazardous snow bridge on the upper slopes typically doesn’t melt out until the end of July. Borah Peak is also notable for being located on a fault line. In 1983 a magnitude 7.3 earthquake caused the mountain to rise by 7 feet. The looming descent had me wishing I had a wing suit, so I could fly the vertical mile back to the trailhead. But there are no shortcuts. The way down proved just as difficult as the way up.