Colorado 14ers: Mt Massive via Southwest Slopes Virtual Trail Guide

[@Nollidsirhc]

I remember this being the first Virtual Sherpa video I ever saw, Now after watching for over a year I feel like a part of the family and it pains me to say this but, Rest in Peace Juno

[@Friday1970]

Less than two weeks ago, I went up the East route and came down the SW route. The SW route was FAR more scenic. At times, I felt it was unreal. Like I was in a dreamscape. It was hard going down, lots of little rocks that beckoned for me to slip and fall on my ass. I made it down to the bottom, and even then, what a view looking back up!

[@rawveganfoodforthought2333]

I love the genuine nature of all your videos. Love that you include your mistakes and frustration. I learn from your mistakes, and your frustration is always spontaneous, appropriate to the occasion, and short-lived. Thank you!(I think I might go ahead and take the long way LOL. (But I'll check to see if you did a video on the long approach first!)

[@texicon]

Climbed Massive yesterday (9/11/2024) via SW slopes. It was beautiful and difficult! That long ridge approach ended up being dangerous due to the weather… lightning and heavy groupel started shortly after we summited. It took a couple of hours of rapid descending to get to a safe place. We were REALLY stupid not to abandon when we had the chance. We learned a valuable lesson. Regardless, it’s now one of my favorite 14ers. The views on the SW slope trail are amazing. 7.5 miles sounds short but it’s an unrelenting 3,900 elevation gain. I loved the honesty of your video and the discussion about weather (wished we had watched this before). You might do a full weather tips video- when do you feel that you need to GTFO. What to do in a lightning storm, best places to hunker down, what do you look for, etc. Thank you so much for what you do!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Glad you are okay and like the idea- Watch 14:58 in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZCmcmevhrF6e5Ysi=9laJGyDyKq9D4p4x

[@ritzbitz1905]

I know what you mean. I hiked Shavano this summer and we literally had 5 min on the summit before the graupel started and we had to get off the summit ASAP. Appreciate your videos , they’re informative and very inspirational.

[@milehighac2738]

I climbed this route. It was harder than I expected. And we had bad weather most of the climb. It was great!

[@cdizz1992]

Did this hike 2 years ago in August, and I veered off trail many times - not always clear. Challenging, sometimes frustrating, but worth it!! My first 14er

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

We like to call that "type 2 fun" - glad you persevered!

[@joecro1453]

Get this man some more subs! Love the videos man

[@beeseumz]

Juno was such a good climber. RIP

[@ickk2785]

If it makes you feel any better I lost the trail at some points coming down this time last year on the easy side. My detour was snowfeild related as I was burning in places and the snow was icy slush. I chose the shortest amount of post holing but Im glad I brought 4-5 pairs of socks in preparation.

[@Miderguy_]

Thanks for the guide as usual. Doing this route Wednesday.

[@davebraunlich]

I did this climb a couple days ago. The snow is gone, and the trail is very easy to follow. It’s MUCH better than the standard route. I descended the East Ridge. You should do a video for that route.

[@mountaintrailventures]

I did this one last year from the other trail head. It was beautiful.

[@TheAAZSD]

I regret running down this. So much so I will do it again many many times.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

I think we both having something wrong with our brains that we continue to punish our bodies and minds like this 😂

[@alycapturesllc]

Loved this peak!

[@georgesheffield1580]

The choice of what constitute a seperate peak is locally arbitrary . This especially applies to a 14er metrics could be used ,for say all 4000 meter mountains

[@RockyMTNnative]

Awesome hike! I’d like to do this one this year after Elbert 🤘

[@Awon2zip]

Chose this route a few years when I did Massive because of the shorter route. I enjoyed it and I think it had better views

[@Suzume900]

I just started watching you recently and actually climbed massive the first time a few weeks ago via this same route. It was much more difficult than I had anticipated, so I was excited to see when you released this video so I could hear your thoughts on it!

[@ryanmiles8056]

“Every time I say something in a video, I jinx it” lol No drone, no problem. That basin though..

[@Nollidsirhc]

8:17 I felt that Posthole

[@charlessavoie2367]

Great dog!

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Been wanting to do that route up Massive maybe next time I'm in the area. Looks to take some real coordination skills managing Juno on the leash, the camera, and the steep class 2 terrain.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Highly recommend this route, its beautiful and yeah it can certainly be a lot to juggle everything especially when conditions are poor.

[@grantnovota4611]

I did this a few weeks ago and had the same experience with losing the trail.

[@Suzume900]

I was really wanting to do the Kelso Ridge route on Torreys, and it would also be my first class 3 material, was wondering if you knew anything about that route.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

I’d probably try another class 3 route before Kelso. From what I understand it’s very exposed the entire time and is mainly class 3 and can be 4 depending on your exact line. I would recommend something like Lindsey or the Arapaho Traverse for your first class 3 hike to see how you like it.

[@codyli123]

Have you ever considered completing the other unofficial 14ers? And by unofficial, I don't mean the 5 that are listed (I know you've done those), but the ones like Massive Green, North Massive, and South Massive? From what I gathered on 14ers.com there seems to be 74 total, so an additional 16 to the 58.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

I’ve thought about it and might do it along the way at some point. TBH though, I was planning on tagging the other massive summits but the weather just was no bueno at the top.

[@georgesheffield1580]

You can do the whole massive mass ,well over a mile above 14 all the way

[@bignamek]

I've been wanting to hike this route but I have been worried the road up to the trail. I have a Mazda 3, think it could get to where your car got?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

If you are comfortable on rough roads you should be able to get pretty close. Worst case you park at the road split I describe in the full trail guide and you can def park there.

[@justinficke4845]

trying that route again Saturday, thanks for the beta. turned back near 12,5 last spring bc of deep snow and weather. per yr other comment you did this maybe 6 weeks ago? will expect much less snow if thats the case

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Yeah it will be snow free now.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Thanks for showing dogs on a lead .

[@drewswomley7787]

Hello, I have a 3yr old Australian Shepard and was considering doing the east slopes. Is this a dog friendly hike? Do you think I could bring my pup along since its more gradual?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Def a better option than this route but if your dog has experience on 14ers - either should be fine now without snow.

[@TheRealJP777]

@The Virtual Sherpa, all the articles and videos I look at online never talk about sources of water. From the maps, in kind of looks like the last source for water is a river crossing approximately 1.8 to 2.5 miles from the trailhead, but no indication if there's a lot of water there, or it's a trickle. Could you offer any advice for how much water to carry, or the last source for water that can be used with a water filter?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Water totally depends on the person, the day and their experience in the mountains. I’ve been crucified for how little I tend to carry and also know people who cary 1/4 of what I usually do. I typically have anywhere between 32oz and 64oz and have never run into any issues. I always have a water pen and tablets on me just in case. All of this to say that I don’t pump on 14er hikes. For this route you are correct, the last source to pump on trail would be the 1.9ish mile mark with 0 water after that.

[@Dannister]

Great video as always! Just curious when you did this hike? Me and a couple friends hiked it in late May and there was about that much snow, I'd be surprised if it's still there when most other 14ers are in summer conditions now. Also, if it makes you feel better, we also went off route lol

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Not sure, sometime in late May - I have the exact date in the full trail guide under my Garmin write-up.

[@habaceeba]

4:55 is not Bull Hill. That's French with Frasco to it's right. Bull Hill is hidden. 5:00 is not Mt. Champion. That's K49.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Peak Finder did me dirty, thanks for the corrections.

[@habaceeba]

@@TheVirtualsherpa Peak Finder wasn't entirely inaccurate. Bull Hill would possibly be directly behind French and Champion directly behind K49 from where you were. Happy trails.

[@midwestaarron]

Do you got one for the SE approach?

[@brandonsalerno6456]

Do you think the mountains will be clear by the 17th? I’m supposed to go up Quandary west ridge on that day

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Everything is basically dry now so by then you should be fine.

[@brandonsalerno6456]

The Virtual Sherpa that’s good, wouldn’t want to do my first class 3 with snow

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Deer mountain is spelled wrong when I point out the peaks.

[@TheBane1979]

I'm looking at the wilderness regulations and it doesn't say any thing about drones. "Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is prohibited. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, game carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters." doesn't specifically say drones and seems to pointed at transportation?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

wilderness.net/learn-about-wilderness/stewardship/drones-wilderness.php

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Another source: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3846515.pdf

[@BURGERJICY]

8:18 tho haha

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

I still laugh out loud every time I watch that edit. So lame but so funny.