Colorado 14ers: Little Bear Peak Virtual Hike Trail Guide

After almost 2 years of failed trip planning, Nick and I finally conquered Little Bear Peak, my second to last 14er. Little Bear Peak is widely known as one of the most dangerous and challenging 14ers in Colorado and I discover why in this video.
For more information about Little Bear Peak and a full hike review, please visit: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/14er-...
Part 2: Little Bear Peak to Blanca Peak Traverse: • Colorado 14ers: Little...
Purchase Virtual Sherpa Gear Here! www.thevirtualsherpa.com/shop/
What to Pack for 14er Day Hike: • Hiking Tips: What to P...
Watch MORE 14er Videos: • Colorado 14ers
Affiliate links to these popular outdoor retailers.
REI: bit.ly/2NvaMAd
Moosejaw: bit.ly/2XCNBsz
Backcountry: bit.ly/2NBJ9FY
Steep & Cheap: bit.ly/32a8r11
Black Diamond: bit.ly/2qSBR5v
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting The Virtual Sherpa so I can continue to provide you with free content!
Want content early? FOLLOW Me!
INSTAGRAM: thevirtuals...
HIKING WEBSITE: thevirtualsherpa.com
FACEBOOK: / thevirtualsherpa

[@derekgless1266]

You rock, dude. That drone shot of the Hourglass is the most useful piece of route beta I've ever seen for Little Bear.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks man - appreciate it.

[@mythicalgnome2527]

@@TheVirtualSherpa Yeah that was nicely shot footage there.

[@clintgillespie8579]

I had the exact same thought. It's hard to get a good perspective of how steep something is when the person is on it, but that drone footage really clarifies it.

[@ryanwhite4433]

What the drone captured in the hourglass might be the coolest 14er footage I've ever seen! You rock man!

[@jackluke6209]

That camera work 👏 that quality does not go unnoticed

[@edwardlobb931]

What I like about Virtual Sherpa is there's no BS about "conquering" the peak. Very cool. Thanks

[@Dontbustthecrust]

I never hear anyone talk about conquering a peak.

[@1jesus2music3duke]

Love these videos. My wife and I are not really climbers, just hikers, but we use your videos to help us understand how dangerous certain routes are. Eventually we may be doing 14ers like you!

[@georgesheffield1580]

That road is often considered the roughest in Colorado

[@exacerbatedfellow1236]

It’s probably the worst in the country.

[@grahamyoung2099]

Honestly, seeing this hike I was expecting something way worse. I was just looking for kicks but now I’m psyched to give this one a go, from my perspective it really didn’t look as hard as it’s known to be.

[@Photo4Corners]

10,000ft and still in the pinion-Juniper woodland. That's a truly arid alpine desert spot!

[@k311ydcart3r]

Love, love, love the drone videos. Sucks that it's illegal so many places (not sure if it was legal here or not...don't ask, don't tell), but I understand why. The pix/flix that drones can take are just so valuable and beautiful.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Kelly Carter thanks and yeah it’s really tough - it is legal here though luckily. I have a map I refer to on where drones are allowed and it’s more places then you would think but it’s always tough finding hit perfect conditions to fly them, especially at 14,000+ ft!

[@cmcer1995]

It's been a while since I viewed this climb, but still not for the faint of heart. Thanks for posting it, I needed an adrenalin rush.

[@Vector2112]

Your videos are great. I'm closing in on #50 and these vids are great to watch as I study the routes. And thanks for not throwing in the "inspirational" music that plagues too many peak bagger videos.

[@svbeto6429]

Thanks for making these man. I did the Traverse from 8,000' and back to car last Tuesday and had it ALL TO MYSELF! Como was just horrible running back down. This gives my Mom something good to follow along with. Keep crushing.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks man - glad you enjoy! Have the traverse coming next week, I think its my best video yet - your mom will probably not enjoy it though haha. Yeah, honestly though, Como wasn't terrible on the way up, but on the way back just god awful, especially when its super hot.

[@svbeto6429]

Did you think that the Bells Traverse or Little Bear was more difficult? I’m looking at Bells now

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

SV Beto Bells Traverse was significantly more difficult than LB. LB Traverse was significantly more difficult than Bells. Bells has a lot more loose rock and more class 5 moves that are super exposed but also way less overall exposure than LB Blanca Traverse.

[@svbeto6429]

@@TheVirtualSherpa Thanks man. I ended up doing the Bells Traverse on Friday. My favorite part was jumping the Leap of Faith Section! I'd have to say the aesthetics were better in the Bells, but the 2800' of suck.........sucked.

[@glenn71144]

Incredible. You are doing much of the hike with one hand while holding your selfie stick.

[@clush2840]

I became fascinated with 14ers ever since visited CO last month. Awesome video. The hikes my family and I did in RMNP didn't cut it; I gotta come back and do some of these!

[@jared3560]

Best video on LB I've seen to date. Really excellent job.

[@ryanpaul8588]

Looks like we hit this a couple days after you. Enjoyed the video. Loved the extra video coverage, especially going up the hourglass. Neat perspective. We ended up hitting the traverse, which was unreal. Thanks for your videos.

[@chriscleveland9203]

Looks fun! I just did the sawtooth, your video was very helpful. Plenty of mud on the route back through the willows!

[@nonobegone2135]

Great video dude! One of my favorite peaks I was waiting for this one.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Bill Clinton thanks 🙌🏽

[@jamiebetker4137]

Videos get better every time. Thanks for such great content. Unlike anything on the internet. Keep killing it!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Jamie Betker thanks Jamie appreciate it 🙌🏽 part 2 is coming next week 👍🏽

[@tygroach]

Love the detail you put into all your videos and blogs! Bravo and congrats. Also.. the new drone footage is unbelievable! Loved the drone stuff up the hourglass and from the summit. Just a complete amazing, breath-taking perspective! Hey...now that you're close to summiting all CO 14ers, maybe start running 'em back with the drone. Seriously, this is award winning stuff. I think I mentioned this before, but would love to do the Little Bear / Blanca traverse...especially with The Virtual Sherpa. Please keep that in mind if you ever do that one again! Nice work!!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

tygroach thanks man really appreciate the kind words. You are one step ahead of me but def on the same page haha already have a list of 14ers I want to go back and shoot and another handful of videos I think are 💩and want to redo - just need to find some time now haha

[@kjguitarman]

Great detail and advice! Much appreciated! Thank you!

[@tomcripps7229]

The scenery is unimaginable.

[@gregory_adam5350]

Nice, the drone footage really puts things into perspective, especially the hourglass.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Gregory_Adam thanks - I’m really happy with how the drone footage was able to be incorporated- hopefully can pepper in into future videos

[@jacobd373]

Did the hike to Lake Como about 2 months ago. Was planning on trying Blanca the next day, but my buddy ended up with some altitude sickness during the night. Decided to hike down at midnight, which sucked. Definitely want to go back.

[@connerjoyce187]

Those hourglass drone shots tho!

[@toughpat]

The upgrade with the drone footage was so so sick. you and your hiking team tackled that. Great video and thanks!!!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks and really excited on what I can use the drone for moving forward, so long as I can find enough hikes where it is legal to fly.

[@toughpat]

@@TheVirtualSherpa what drone and setup are you running? I have been doing a lot of trekking in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and over towards Winter Park area -- I would love to catch some drone footage up on the continental divide (if legal of course :P )

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

@@toughpat I am using a DJ Mavic Air and yeah its really tough to find places in Colorado - any wilderness area, national park, national forest and all state parks are off the table. Drone world is super new and lots of grey areas still.

[@toughpat]

@@TheVirtualSherpa thanks for the heads up and the information. Catch you on your next video.

[@elliebrodersen4010]

Love these videos! I’m still working to get to class 3 and am wondering if you have any advise on how to overcome the technical parts/steep parts of the 14ers?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks Ellie, glad you've enjoyed them! There really is no solid answer for progressing into class 3/4/5 and higher exposure besides just gaining more experience. If you are able to rock climb, this will help a ton with exposure fears, but really its best to find a route with small portions of higher exposure and class and just gain experience with it. Specifically with 14ers, check out my blog ranking them all to give you a good idea on how to work your way up. www.thevirtualsherpa.com/ranking-the-colorado-14ers-by-difficulty/

[@rowdyryan9988]

Nice drone footage! I’m sure that thing isn’t very light haha

[@ravioli9728]

Been their done that

[@b8a7m74]

17:49 for The Great Sand Dunes

[@Joshypooh1]

How does the route finding of Little bear compare to the maroon bells traverse or capitol peak? I always hear these lumped together as far as difficulty and I'd love some input! Love the videos dude!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

I got you: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/ranking-the-colorado-14ers-by-difficulty/ . TBH, route finding on neither Cap or LB is really significant. Cap has a pretty straight forward hike until after you have crossed the KE where you have a ton of options to get to the summit and a few "good" ways. LB is more direct once you gain the initial gully before working over to the hourglass. Bells involve a ton of route finding, especially if you are by yourself or with a group who has not done it before. WAY WAY WAY more loose rock on that route so finding a route you can do safely is also a concern.

[@trueclimbs]

Hey dog love your videos! Part 2 was intense as shit. Good luck on longs. It was my first 14er and now I'm hooked and have dont 19. I watch your videos before I go make a climb. Keep up the bad ass content.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks man - no clue how you saw either of these videos before they went public but glad you enjoyed them!

[@brandonsalerno6456]

How’d you see them early?

[@jamiebetker4137]

Where is part 2? I’m not finding it?

[@trueclimbs]

@@TheVirtualSherpa not sure either. It just popped up in my feed but I see now its private.

[@goatbacon2977]

Damn dude might be my favorite peak yet

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks man appreciate it - I think next week's video will be even better.

[@goatbacon2977]

The Virtual Sherpa yuuuup lmao

[@jblock2490]

Did you have any issues with bears while camping up there? I'm planning on staying there for several days to do Little Bear and then Ellingwood-Blanca but I've been reading a lot about bear activity from prior years.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Nope I didn’t but it’s always good to bring a bear container or bag to hang your food in high bear activity areas.

[@willverbest2649]

Great video man! I climbed little bear about a week ago and I thought the same about the hourglass, not as hard as it seemed. My next peak is going to be capitol. Does it live it to its reputation about being the hardest 14er in co?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Hey Will, glad we are on the same page. Honestly, Cap and LB are neck and neck. The knife edge without a doubt is the most exposed piece of trail on a standard route of a 14er that I have done. However, I would give the slight edge to Cap since the approach is much longer and the hike up to K2 is tough. Once you are over the KE there is still a lot of tough hiking and danger in rock fall.

[@ickk2785]

I was thinking about bringing my climbing shoes along for the hourglass, do you think theyd help? Good luck on Longs, why save such an accessible 14er for last?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Climbing shoes would be a complete overkill in the hour glass IMO. Its only class 4, so you should have no problem with hiking boots/shoes. Why Longs? I wanted one that was closer to home so my wife could meet me after.

[@ickk2785]

@@TheVirtualSherpa Makes sense about longs, hopefully you can hit it on an empty day. Are there any 14ers where you think it would help to bring climbing shoes - like the crestone needle for example?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

@@ickk2785 Personally, probably not - we did the traverse (kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXfaZ42gqsedqs0) and a few of my friends popped on theirs. Honestly, if you think you will be more comfortable/stable with it, it can't hurt if you are okay with the extra weight. Personally, I trust my hiking boots and like the extra cushion they provide and lack of extra weight from carrying climbing shoes. FWIW - I am not a good rock climber either.

[@ickk2785]

@@TheVirtualSherpa Thanks for the input man. Im trying to hit them all myself. Unfortunately my hiking season got cut short by a knee fracture from skateboarding. Hoping my PT is complete by next summer. If youre in the Denver area Movement is a pretty relaxed climbing gym that does yoga (recommend yin for joints), theres also Earthtrex if you dont mind harder boulders and lots of people.

[@Maxmilion6004]

Just iut of curiosity. Why did you save longs peak for last

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Wanted to have a peak closer to home so my wife could come up and celebrate with me after. Longs fit that bill perfectly.

[@emilykoford6913]

How long did it take to hike this, down and back?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Check out the full link in the description where you can view the written trail guide. It provides an estimated hike time and my GPX file. I also talk about the road in which is another huge variable on time.

[@andreikravchenko8250]

class 4 ?

[@jasonthomas16]

Does this traverse ever get done Blanca to Little Bear?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

I’m sure people have done it, but for me I would avoid descending down that hour glass like the plague so I probably would avoid it? Would be interesting to compare the routes though.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Classic, preferred way to climb Little Bear

[@olabashanda]

What kind of watch do you have?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

All my gear used is linked in each video description but currently rocking a Fenix 6x sapphire. Just did a review on the COROS apex pro as well though 👍🏽

[@zhuli693]

harder than crestone peak and needle ?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Zhu Li negative - the needle/Crestone Traverse is much harder. Together or separate IMO

[@georgesheffield1580]

Looser by far , crestons rock is relatively solid

[@jv4read1]

All the trees are dead.....so sad

[@tylerhartman_]

Gotta poop and 1 1/2 contacts 🤣

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Story of my life tbh

[@tylerhartman_]

@@TheVirtualSherpa hahaha bro fantastic video! I love watching all of yours

[@cyclinguy]

We’ll? Did you poop?

[@atlantisfunktions]

That does not look like a fun downclimb!!! Even going up looks sketch as hell. Outta my comfort zone for sure...

[@behrensf84]

What’s the poop policy? Pack in, pack out?

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Felipe Behrens standard policy is leave no trace anywhere you need to poop outside: lnt.org/i-have-to-poop-outside-what-do-i-do/

[@RedSkyLB]

The anticipatory shits are no good

[@edwardlobb931]

What I like about Virtual Sherpa is there's no BS about "conquering" the peak. Very cool. Thanks