Rock Mountain National Park // Blitzen Ridge

Rocky Mountain National Park has lots of high mountain climbing options. This one was recommended by a stranger last year. Blitzen Ridge is an amazing ridge scramble with exposure, good rock, and thousands of uphill steps. According to onliners the crux of the ridge is the Four Aces, four piles of stone that you must scramble over before reaching the ridge proper. Once defeating the Four Aces there's still a lot of rock to climb. Actually, some of the best scrambling is to be had after completing the challenging Fourth Ace. The scramble ends at the summit of Mount Ypsilon, a 13,445ft peak that can also be reached from the Chapin Pass Trailhead.
Blitzen Ridge is reached from the Lawn Lake trailhead. From there you go up to the trail to Ypsilon Lake then take the less used trail up to Spectacle Lake. From there travel below the first Spectacle Lake and up onto the ridge

[@mrjakobt]

Back to the regular programming of puking after two relaxed episodes.

[@mountainssea9642]

😂

[@eliothack7206]

Awesome to see this classic on youtube! My grandfather put up the route in 1958, he remembers the climb and its exposure fondly.

[@StarcraftDr]

What a stud.. this route is no joke!

[@RileyColeman]

NOPE! That's way to much exposure for me. Always hard to tell on video but sick route, you killed it.

[@mountainssea9642]

Yea no way. Aces 1 and 4 were really sketchy.

[@jimc3891]

Go pros make everything seem sketchier. This route had it’s moments for sure.

[@runuphill]

Holy Crap. Danny's "tricky" and "challenging" is everyone else's SKETCHY AF. Glad you're still alive after this one!

[@TheDonBoston]

Those scrambles on the Four Aces is one of the most insane things I've seen on this channel bro! What a thrill! Reminded me a bit of the crux ridge on Capitol Peak.

[@deivclayton]

Danny has a migrane and nauseau, so he goes and accomplishes something that I would be terrified to on my best day. Great job, Danny! You are the man!

[@connorwhitson9663]

Please never stop making videos

[@josiahball6499]

Nothing better than seeing Danny in Colorado. Awesome route, and mind-boggling mental willpower to tackle it feeling that bad. If that was me, I’d set up a hammock 10ft into the hike with 0% chance of summiting lol.

[@Dontbustthecrust]

I don't understand why he gets nausia all the time.

[@josiahball6499]

I've watched a lot of MA, and this still takes the cake for the spiciest adventure--especially because he did it solo! Awesome video!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

God I love this channel - esp. the solo vids. Great work as always Danny.

[@pagewhite8177]

Fantastic! So beautiful. You are amazing as always. Thanks Danny.

[@digdug1577]

"my goal is to have fun and not challenge myself, not take any risks" whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatt. Gonna have to rename the channel! Thanks for bringing us along brother!

[@PilotEJ401]

Love any RMNP action, this was sweet! Thanks 👍

[@ThisWayIWin]

Thank you for another great video 👍🏻

[@paulhatzig7084]

Amazing hike and video! Thank you for sharing this awesome journey!

[@silasmarner7586]

Nicely done and even with the rough rough start a great trip!!

[@MichalOlender]

That's insane! And insanely beautiful!

[@ZonDog]

Wow, you bounced back Spectacularly Danny!😊👍🇺🇲

[@bh3141]

Another nice edit. And the hits just keep on comin'.

[@tylorsoll6033]

That looks like a ton of fun! Will be putting that one on the list.

[@sk-wx1cf]

Magnificent! So glad you were able to recover from your headache and continue on to enjoy the adventure and share it with us! Thanks!

[@ccuknowtherest]

love it when i see a new video from you show up on the recommended page

[@alexmather9349]

Always inspiring! Was awesome meeting you on top of our local glacier a few weeks back!

[@Shanemo007]

Epic adventure DB. Way to push thru!

[@arron7857]

amazing filmography on this one and the music track you chose for the technical climb was on point!!! Thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@jakekaiser1399]

I was just up there last weekend ! Great to see you back in Colorado and great job showing the route and exposure

[@ItaiGanor]

danggg amazing danny! those 4 acess...wow so scary :D great job!

[@davidryan4454]

Jeez but that was some exposure in parts - chapeau Danny & as always, thanks for taking the time & effort to take us with you 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@savillecreations8046]

Your videos inspire me to get out and climb again...especially when I recognize the ones from Utah.

[@austinado16]

Fantastic vid Danny, and what a route. You had me gripping the sides of my seat and saying "no way" when you dealt the 4 aces. You're a machine to start a trek like that feeling so bad, not have anything to take, and just hoping it goes away. I'm secretly hoping you don't have to go through that ever again, AND that you put together a little rescue kit with whatever you think you'd need to turn back the tide on stuff like this. Thanks for another great video, the back and forth to get those solo shots is much appreciated, as was the crazy 360 cam views!!

[@kblaine123]

"Scramble with Exposure"........uh, thats an understatement unless your a mere Mediocre Amateur. Thanks for the ride !

[@belleily]

I know you had an awful time but every time I got a new video notification, boy that makes my day , love every bit of it! Makes me dream !

[@479troutbum]

Awesome hike. Huge props for the stranger and Advil. Saved your day.

[@medicinegone]

Great video. Thanks. It's been 12yrs since I did this climb. It's a good one.

[@MrOfficialscotty]

Great video and overcoming adversity! Glad you felt better after being sick in the beginning.

[@timjones8837]

Another graphic regurgitation episode...great footage. Wonderful views...❤

[@kevinw1129]

Good recovery Danny. Puking on the walk-in guarantees I turn back!

[@runningforviews]

ACE 1 I was about to pass out just watching. Amazing footage and amazing hike!

[@jejakdhasyad]

Amazing....❤❤ Beautiful view Nice to meet you

[@zachblazek620]

Danny's my hero. There's really not a more upsetting feeling for folks who love to do this than feeling like crud first thing in the morning. I've been there puking after the first mile and it's just such a difficult day to persevere through - heck of an accomplishment. Love the RMNP / Colorado stoke, keep the great vids coming!

[@paulwolf3302]

When I first learned rock climbing at the Gunks, I used to get an upset stomach and diarrhia as soon as we arrived and I saw the sun going down on those cliffs.

[@berendpastoor1911]

Very sick! some serious free climbing on those aces

[@whenopportunitycomes8718]

Danny's wisdom - feel like puking? What pucking ? Just start hiking 😁👍 Awesome to see this episode after a while. My motivation for the days ahead 💪

[@bulldogcoma420]

I've been wanting to do Blitzen for a while. Well, I'm not doing it anymore. Thanks for the content as always

[@paulbsavage9527]

Thank you Danny!! You are an inspiration. A suggested local route: north end of Nebo Bench Trail to the south end of the Nebo range, then back over the ridge line (Nebo South, Middle and North) back to the trailhead. A short day for you (ca. 14.5 miles), but beautiful country and some class 3 scrambling.

[@runfaster123]

was waiting for you guys to do blitzen!

[@mgoboski]

This is the craziest thing you've done! It makes the Maroon Bells Traverse looks easy. I would love to see you tackle the Little Bear Peak traverse sometime soon!

[@plugboot]

2 nice dry heaves for your viewing pleasure. Love it.

[@SetForAdventures]

Epic ⛰️🏔️⛰️🏔️ That was crazy sketchy at time and made for some excellent viewing Great film Regards Simon 🤠🙏🏼🏔️

[@architennis]

Thanks for the incredible (scary as hell) scenes. How you film this is beyond me. Scrambling with one hand and holding the camera with the other is the height of dedication (though I know sometimes it's probably strapped to your pack or on your forehead).

[@inthewildwildwest]

Thanks for making this video and nice job persevering through the discomfort. Gotta have ibu! I've done this route. I remember the first Ace as the hardest, my partner wanted the rope out and I agreed. A lady fell off at this spot I believe earlier this summer ('23) so it is definitely serious business there. 😢 Ypsilon is a huge mountain... That headwall and final stretch to the top seem it goes on forever and just part of a really long day. Classic route in RMNP!

[@DVJ38er]

Ya I was wondering if he was aware of her death when he was doing this. RIP 🙏🏼

[@Vo2maxProductions]

@@DVJ38er That young lady was our friend (and Rocky Mountain Runnner from Boulder) Bailee Mulholland. She was 26 and had just competed in the Minotaur SkyRunning race in Canada with us a few weeks prior. She grew up in Boulder and was an experienced climber and a bright and positive light to everyone who knew her. Our running group in the local Boulder community (which she was part of) have been devastated...... we can't believe she is gone.

[@emilywein8956]

Her name was Bailee Mulholland. She taught me yoga a few times. I did not know her very well. But I think about the level of risk people doing this stuff put themselves in and I just can’t anymore. It’s not worth it. She will be missed.

[@inthewildwildwest]

@@emilywein8956 Thanks for sharing that.

[@user-sk9hl7si7l]

🕊🥀@@Vo2maxProductions 💔

[@SeniorTurner]

That rock chuck wanted to watch the view with ya!

[@marki7275]

That was cool. Well done.

[@glenntoups4615]

It takes a huge set of KAHUNAS to push through after having a migraine and severe nausea. Great video glad you recovered enough to tackle the mountain. BRAVO...Just wish you would have a partner tag along on these challenging climbs for safety sake but YOU GOT THIS

[@bigsauce6187]

Masterpiece as always

[@madmaf6011]

Thanks - breathtaking!

[@motolitho1]

Thanks for doing this, a lot of questions on this route for me. It's been a tough year on this one.

[@andreyv1]

Pretty gnarly. This might also be the best 360 camera footage / use case I've seen.

[@ThomasSteves]

OMG, the exposure is making ME sick to my stomach! Great video! Great job.

[@mountainssea9642]

“Now I’m just sitting here because I don’t want to throw up my Advil.” 😂😂

[@rippen1982]

Awesome vid! Ive been up to Spectacle lakes a couple times and up on Ypsilon once. Incredible area!! You should look at Arrowhead to McHenry or the Glacier Gorge traverse for your next big RMNP visit.

[@rickb5946]

Danny... you got balls the size of apples! No way would I take on exposure like that. Especially after a migraine. Respect brother!

[@tahirrazzaq9494]

That was amazing! I am not a fan of the 360 cams but you did an amazing job with it!

[@Ja50nkAt]

I can't do stuff like this anymore but it's fun watching others do it, nervous just watching it. I stick to class 3 and below now.

[@denali9643]

I would have been the sad sack who folded on four aces. Impressive on-sight scrambling!!

[@TheDonBoston]

You're a trooper Danny. That feeling would have sent me straight home if I was still in the parking lot lol.

[@rugged9769]

Great to see you visiting this park in our backyard Danny and enjoying this classic ridge. It’s a challenging route even for the best of them and you made it look easy

[@Marco-717]

He didn't make it look easy lol watch the uncut version

[@Reece111]

​@@Marco-717where's the uncut version?

[@kdjat]

You're a beast Danny! I got a migraine and nausea just watching you do the Aces! :P

[@lukefromtexas]

This hike looks scary lol. Great job

[@bryantaustin5186]

Pretty bad ass to launch out with a migraine and puking, and still take the time to shoot video for us. This was an epic video!

[@timpellenbarg3386]

Nice climb! 5.4 with that exposure is a head job.

[@taylormcgraw9661]

Blitzen is a classic for a reason. I just remember thinking that there are so many variations you could take

[@saracarbonari5283]

Favorite you tube channel

[@DylanReynolds]

Love the 360 cam stuff

[@jessekoudstaal8377]

Great videowork with the 360degree camera!

[@Scott7169]

Great to see you on the trail doing some of the old stuff. Any chance of getting Matt and Blake out again?

[@davisbenn2179]

Shots with that 360 camera were 👌🏻

[@nealjoyce8696]

If ever I need a mountain guide for those big US peaks , I’m coming to find you Danny 🇺🇸🔥🔥🔥🔥💪💪💪

[@naujesojzevachsopmac6377]

Dangerous path. Awesome

[@ethannkyle]

woah! Such a cool route

[@milco8755]

Your 70% limited function is well beyond my 100%. Also, dry retching before a day out, is that a mediocre first? Loving that your still doing the videos even though the rest of the crew aren't there. Appreciate the extra work it is!

[@briangery7963]

Really enjoyed this one, Danny. I need to get back to RMNP….

[@transwomenaresexistmen]

Spectacular ❤

[@johnmalenchek6597]

Aces high! Exciting climb.

[@drewbeedoo3084]

Dude that's so cool. Also, if you're looking for a fun ridge scramble, try the Snowmass Mountain S ridge, super beautiful and is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

[@gygantor360]

This was Danny’s Michael Jordan Finals “flu” game. Way to power through. BEAST MODE activated!

[@jamesnasium4035]

Nice shot of Long's Peak in the distance behind you at 12:36. Blitzen ridge is very dangerous. You have the chops for it. There was a fatality earlier this year (2023).

[@KinneticLife]

Too cool. Great vid

[@trekodyssey]

Awesome videos Danny and thank you youtube for bringing them to me! 😂😂 My journey has just begun and I can't wait to be as mediocre as you. And maybe one day I'll meet you guys on a trail. 😅 🤞🏼

[@redskins1120]

I would of turned around after the first one😂. Awesome video!!

[@abefrandsen]

spectacular footage. eye-opening to see the route from your perspective, especially after the tragic fall earlier this year. have you scrambled any of the flatirons in Boulder? maybe not epic enough to warrant a video but a really fun time

[@joshbrewer7750]

You do some legendary stuff, broski

[@andrewbenson8842]

Man than was insane! Way too much exposure for me but props man that was sick.

[@ivan82593]

Right on man. Keep going.

[@638Benj]

Amazing 👏!!

[@beautifulportland9592]

That scramble without ropes, is just too risky for my taste, I was on the edge of my computer keyboard, the entire time . . . glad you made it, because couldn't have!

[@jjkielbasa]

wow this is my backyard! next time to mummy mania - a traverse of all the peaks in the mummy range!

[@timpellenbarg3386]

Danny, check out the TenMile traverse near Breckenridge. I did peak 2 (aka TenMile) just yesterday. Supposedly great scrambling between peaks 2-4, with a healthy dose of exposure.

[@java6727]

Another great video! Any tips/advice on how I can get over my fear of heights when in the mountains? Thanks

[@DVJ38er]

Danny out here throwing up with a headache and a climbing 5.4 traverse in TRAIL RUNNERS 😂

[@ianholl9100]

The Mummy Range! You had me until 6:17... You have some huge marbles, Sir.