Four peaks 1 day challenge

Me and a couple freinds are looking into Hitting all four peaks in a day trip then heading home the same day.

I have seen the link in this forum about the climb and I know it is definitely doable, but I am just starting to get into climbing and my freinds only do it for fun with no gear.

I see it says it is easy 4 and 5s but how would that relate to new climbers?

The ply gear I have currently is a harness and shoes. I will be picking up the rest of my gear in the following weeks-month.

My questions-
does anyone know how many miles the hike is?
What is our approximate time frame
4-6 hours
8-10 hours
Etc

And would we be completely stupid doing this with no gear considering we are new at this? I will mention we have done multiple free climbs but never anything that was hella sketchy. IE would yield death if we fell.. Serious injury yes but we haven't gotten too crazy.

Thanks for any advice,tips, etc

mountainproject.com/v/four-…
It would be pertinent to post this ^^

I'd say it's not the best idea based on your experience. Get started leading some easier routes at your local crag and THEN leave the rope at home. Also advisable would be to start DOWN CLIMBING everything you can get your hands on... it's a totally different ballgame

I keep forgetting not everyone in this section is from phx. Thanks for throwing the link up there.

So if an all day trip is not viable with our experience. If we broke it up into a weekend adventure would that make it any safer? That way we can go around anything needed instead of climbing up it down?

My freind is moving to Atlanta at the end of this school semester and I was hoping we would be able to do this before then and I wont have enough time to become fully experienced by then

Thanks again

do it, it's easy. but if you fall you might die.

also that mountain project page, it literally answers all of your questions.

Yall should be fine so long as everyone is in good shape and not scared of heights. The climbing is extremely easy, but exposed. I would give yourself 10hrs from the trailhead to do it. The drive in is ~1hr from hwy 87.

You can do it without technical gear... It is exposed as mentioned but is not a technical climb per say. Bring approach shoes and your stamina - it is a long day! Id be more worried about the long drive in off the main road...

Did the most technical of the four with a couple of 8 year olds with no problem. There is plenty of exposure but nothing that warrants a rope. Should make for a decently casual day.

S Denny wrote:also that mountain project page, it literally answers all of your questions.

Its definitely not all answered on that page considering some of these people in here say it is doable without a rope no problem.

Also, it didnt mention the amount of time it would take for the climb.

Thank you for those who actually climbed it for chiming in!

I feel as if it definitely can be difficult and treacherous if you make it, but if you stick to semi trails or whatever is up there then we should be good to go.

When I go ill throw up pics and such

I'm gonna try real hard not to break rule #1 here...

I have not climbed these peaks, but first of all, if you don't know the difference between freeclimbing and freesoloing, you probably should not be freesoloing, which is the word you meant to use, but didn't know it. Freeclimbing refers to using a rope but only as a means of protection not aid.

The information about the climb IS pretty well covered in the post. Sounds like you could avoid a lot or all of the fifth class, but the route finding may be challenging at times and you could conceivably end up on some fifth class.

A VERY good climber died in Yosemite a couple years ago after freesoloing some moderate stuff only to slip while downclimbing, what would be for her, very easy 5.3 terrain. And a self-proclaimed "freeclimber" died last year in Los Padres because he overestimated his ability.

That being said, you will probably be fine if you exercise good sense, but dont do it just to be able to post pictures and spray about the gnar "freeclimbing" you did, which is what seems like appeals most to you.

I would call this a fairly poor idea in that type of time frame, you just have too much stacked against you. I would also rope up, I have climbed a fair amount in the 4/5th class range but down climbing it is a TOTALLY different thing and shouldn't be rushed with a group. This is more of a self challenging thing from what I can see and I'm sure intended for people climbing at least 8-10 grades below their limit which is a HUGE margin.

If you have to ask other people, maybe it's not time. Go out, gain more experience and come back to it when you don't need people on MP to tell you yes or no...

It's easy for people on the interwebs to say it's easy and you should go, but you'll be the one out there taking the risk.

That said, it sounds like a fun adventure and worth doing, just be smart about it.

Ive been apart of plenty of forums to know when I dont know what I am talking about. Unfortunately this is one of those cases. I guess I feel since I am athletic and smart enough to know what my limits are then I should be fine, but what I will do is just take a trip up there and get a feel for the area... get more experienced in climbing... then hit up the challenge.

And I apologize for not knowing the correct terms, but I wouldnt call what me and a freind did free soloing because in my mind that makes it seem like its a route you should use rope on but are experienced enough not to.. It was neither of that. To put it simply we just climbed around on a mountain that was not a designated path.

Anyways thanks again for all the posts and I appreciate the honesty. A little flaming never hurt anyone.

anyone who gives you a time frame without ever climbing with you is flat out lying to you. a scramble that took me and a friend 6 hours car to car took some close friends 19 hours. it's so dependant on group dynamics and ability it's unbeleiveable that anyone pays any attention to estimated times.

Plan on being out all day, and possibly all night if something goes wrong.

Ryan Dodd wrote:Ive been apart of plenty of forums to know when I dont know what I am talking about. Unfortunately this is one of those cases. I guess I feel since I am athletic and smart enough to know what my limits are then I should be fine, but what I will do is just take a trip up there and get a feel for the area... get more experienced in climbing... then hit up the challenge. And I apologize for not knowing the correct terms, but I wouldnt call what me and a freind did free soloing because in my mind that makes it seem like its a route you should use rope on but are experienced enough not to.. It was neither of that. To put it simply we just climbed around on a mountain that was not a designated path. Anyways thanks again for all the posts and I appreciate the honesty. A little flaming never hurt anyone.

Very wise thinking, you will be fine! In anything you do you find limits, when you reach your limits you must evolve and find new ways of challenging your limits which often times is measured in time. People run marathons all the time but just running them isn't enough for some which is why they are timed.

My point is just that you should find your climbing limits before you challenge yourself with times. I have placed myself is very uncomfortable situations by thinking that just because I can do a single 5.12 move on a boulder I could get up (and down) 15 feet of 5.2 in approach shoes and a backpack.

Good luck man, the climbing community is great and there are many people that would be happy to take you out and teach you anything you need to know to stay safe.

All very good points. That could be why they dont bother putting a time frame up because everyone is different.

Thanks guys