Colorado 14ers: Capitol Peak Virtual Hike Trail Guide

[@jjames05]

I've now accepted the fact that I will never ever do Capitol peak. That exposure is nuts. Well done

[@Pepperoni10125]

Did you ever do sunlight?

[@rainypath96]

What is exposure?

[@sobantahir1011]

@@rainypath96 basically risk of injury if you were to fall. For example, fall at a low exposure area would usually result in minimal injuries bruises, cuts, etc. Falls at areas of high exposure would typically result in broken bones, death.

[@wesleycwagner]

@@rainypath96 8:00 This.

[@DrBeauHightower]

Same

[@allanstratton2797]

Thanks for the footage from an old guy . I did it in the 80's and my group had the mountain to our selfs. Plus we where on acid.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

LMAO - I am sure that made the knife edge much more interesting. Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@harpoon_bakery162]

try climbing a high-tension tower on "it". make sure to go all the way to the top. there is a certain "buzzing" sensation you will feel/hear , and it's not the "it" doing it.

[@commander989]

You climbed that thing while trippin'?

[@dancer1]

Bro wtf lol

[@devonanderson9073]

thats insane

[@harpoon_bakery162]

loved how careful you were and absolutely adamant about not straying from the safe way of doing climbs. shortcuts are killers.

[@dylanmj8]

Thank you for including the warning that there are NO shortcuts down! The Mountain Rescue Aspen team has been trying to get the word out about that, and fortunately this summer has been much less active on that peak and the other area peaks than it was last year when we had five fatalities on Capitol and two on Maroon. Know your route, be prepared for long days and inclement weather, and most importantly what your skills and fitness will allow you to do.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Could not agree more! Don't usually want/like my videos to be "preachy" because I am just an amateur but felt that this route deserved the extra attention.

[@TXLogic]

Thank you thank you for a straight up, well-shot, informative vid with no audio beyond your voice and your breathing - no “inspirational’ shit music to spoil the atmosphere.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

TXLogic thanks man all my hiking videos are like that - try to let the moment speak for itself but people don’t like it when I get the sniffles 🤣

[@terryrobinson7891]

Thanks for all the memories, I hiked the 14ers back in the 90s, that one makes my palms sweat just watching you.

[@tylerjohnson704]

I’m sixteen years old and I fantasize with hiking (I live in Loveland, Co) but this gave me goosebumps! It is a bucket list item to climb Capital Peak but I clearly need to familiarize myself with many other 14ers!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Tyler Johnson haha yeah def not the easiest one but awesome to have something on your bucket list to work up to!

[@WillHaack]

Yo man if you wanna do some climbs with me shoot me a message on Instagram! @will_haack

[@chiller4166]

Do Longs first

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Capitol Peak is a serious mountain that claim’s lives every year. Do not attempt unless you have ample hiking experience and good weather. I really hate the quality of this video compared to what I am putting out now, so please keep the timing of this film in mind and check out my other videos! Note: I’m also very aware it’s lichen and not algae . It was 5am after hours of hiking and filming, my brain was a noodle.

[@WillHaack]

Did this as my third 14er in one day. Much easier than excepted

[@pavelow235]

@@WillHaack nobody cares about your internet flex.....

[@WillHaack]

@@pavelow235 okay bud❤❤😘

[@dean8235]

@@WillHaack no matter how badass you think you are now, it was still INCREDIBLY irresponsible and not sure if it deserves praise

[@WillHaack]

@@dean8235 💆‍♂️

[@grampabadger]

Got weathered off that peak two days in a row back in 1977. Have not been able to get back up there since. Enjoyed your vid.

[@jonhand5391]

Ha, I was there that weekend. I can see my Jeep in the beginning of your video! It was a cloudy summit, for sure. Definitely my favorite 14er so far.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Haha, small world. Also loved Cap, besides all of the rock fall after the KE, but sure ranks up there for me as wel.

[@jimijames60]

Capitol was the first mountain I ever climbed. So thrilling an dangerous that I never needed to do another.

[@brandonwhite6421]

I think this was the first of your videos I ever saw. Feels good to finally have fondled the Knife Edge's rocks of my own accord. The day was an adventure I'll never forget. Thanks, Mickey!

[@5MillCity]

I just found your channel yesterday. It’s fantastic, and whenever I feel the need to inject massive amounts of anxiety into my system, I can rewatch this episode. Holy shnikes!

[@KFrost-fx7dt]

Oh hell nah I almost feel like I'm gonna cry just watching this video!

[@sidhayes6168]

Have been over that ridge many X but would not take hold of some of those rocks. Out and back in 1/3 the morning.

[@BABsOutside]

Have been watching your videos for a couple years now. Really like how you have upped the editing/footage factor and going back to get harder routes. Thanks for putting together and inspired this group of gals to do similar! Thank you!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 love it! And thanks for the kind words, this video is trash compared to what I make now, will have to reshoot it some day haha

[@jasonthomas16]

Was definitely waiting on this video. Clicked on it the second It was posted 🙂

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Jason Thomas hopefully it lives up to expectations!

[@jasonthomas16]

The Virtual Sherpa. Definitely did. I’d love to do Capitol one day. It’s out of my skill level right now as the most difficult peak I’ve summited it longs peak but I’ll keep working at it and gain the experience needed. I’d love to find some good hiking partners. Great information in your video and I’m happy you emphasized not short cutting the route as I’ve also heard about how dangerous short cutting the route is.

[@kodaexploring5176]

Nothing like making your palms sweat lol

[@stephensmith6599]

Thank you for the great content. I bailed on Capital when I was in my late 30's ... being well into my 50's now I think K2 will be where I top out.

[@kodaexploring5176]

Sweet goodness. My palms were sweating, heart rate increased, twitching in my chair. I can't believe people don't rope up for things like this. Such a intense crazy video man. People think my canyoneering videos are dangerous & intense but this puts those to shame lol.

[@spoonysmalls]

Nice low key plug attempt.

[@SpudForceable]

Thanks for doing these videos! I love hiking, but my fear of heights is enough to stop me from attempting summit any of the 14ers.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

SpudForceable glad you enjoy them and you can virtually see all of the 14ers you want through my vids!

[@TechSecSpaceGeek]

If you want to do a 14er other than driving up Evans or Pikes, there's always Elbert. It's a physical hike and you have to be aware of altitude, but plenty of ways up with no climbing.

[@TechSecSpaceGeek]

@Dhyananda Sadhu I hear ya. I live in Minnesota and it always takes me time to adjust whenever I visit Colorado.

[@darren6110]

Really liked your respect for the mountain and stress on safety.

[@arcoleman10]

This man is an absolute beast.

[@Zyggurat]

Great video! And it looks like I climbed Capitol just after you did (4 Sep 2018). Wish I would have you video for beta! We had a great time too... and it was #57 for me (I finished a couple weeks later on Handies). Agree with pretty much everything you said. I rank Capitol as #3 as far as overall effort, but #1 on pucker factor... and not so much because of the exposure... the loose rock was what spooked me... but I'm a bit big and clumsy! Quick note on the deaths of 2017... 3 died on the shortcut you talked about, 1 died just before the knife edge on the ascent (to the climber's left), and 1 died staying high on the ridge between Daly and Capitol (I think you pointed this alternate route in your video and that it wasn't necessarily a great idea). As a final side note, the day we climbed there were only 3 others on the mountain. One guy actually DID bring his two dogs and left them at the knife edge while he went for the summit. I honestly can't fathom how they made it that far.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Zyggurat thanks for the feedback! Hoping to finish this year with the LB blanca Traverse which I’m thinking will take the cake on the pucker factor for me.

[@deltauniformtangocharlieho2795]

How utterly amazing that someone could think it wasn't a fantastically bad idea to try to bring their dogs up Capitol. Feel so bad for those dogs. Hope they managed to stay safe hanging out on the ridge while their owner continued across.

[@beyondhorizons9758]

That's a pretty sharp edge going up your crack :)

[@willstrohbusch7356]

From experience... Yes it is. Your totally right lol

[@ryanrhoads9546]

I'm totally okay with it going up my crack if it means I live hahaha 😆

[@noeljuarez6541]

Amazing! Words really escape me. You are one of the main text books I’m using to prepare myself for this, I gotta buy you a beer after I summit one of these

[@arlenehenry1097]

HELL NO! Thx for taking me on a journey as heights are not my cup of tea! Sensational views..gotta be a RUSH! Wish I was n ibec...lordy

[@derekiswalking]

Would love to see you do a gear rundown of what you use for an overnight hike like this. I'm trying to finish the 14er list myself and I know I'm going to have to backpack in at least one or two, like Capitol.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Derek Gless love the idea 💡 maybe I can cook something up for ya

[@SouEuIAm]

That knife edge was no joke! It was making me anxious and making by butt pucker just watching you cross it.

[@andrewmitchell5807]

This is the one I rewatch

[@R2D2C_3po]

If you think this is scary, then you should see the videos of people climbing Capitol Peak in winter conditions! I might be able to do this hike in the summer, but there’s absolutely no way I would climb that knife edge ridge with snow and ice.

[@mj_hiking5260]

Great video man, congratulations on the summit. I hope to build the skills and experience to be able to do this kind of climb without feeling like I’m taking too much risk or getting gripped.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Can't wait to tackle this one next summer!

[@tcalvibe25]

Biggggggest (can't say the word) but biggest everything. Much Much Respect!!!!!! I mean you should never have to do anything for yourself. This is unbelievable!!

[@EscapeYourFate7]

Oh. My. God. My jaw is on the floor. I WILL BE ON THIS PEAK. I WILL CLIMB THIS MOUNTAIN.

[@tflnc]

This one is on my list, and your video really captures the commitment and concentration it takes to complete this section. I have rock climbed for over 40 years, and my hands were sweating. Normally you would rope up to belay someone if there’s that much exposure, but plenty of people get across without doing that apparently. It helps that the rock quality is excellent.

[@hoomdiyada]

love the way you give info. make more videos

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

hoomdiyada give the channel a sub new videos every week 🙌🏽

[@randallwood6814]

Glad to see someone finally did a video showing the trip back down. Thanks for that. Also, thanks for the PSA about not taking shortcuts. I wondered how those 7 people died. I typically stay on the trail, but that info you shared might save some lives.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

No problem, glad you found it useful! I believe most of the deaths have occurred from either rockfall or people taking the wrong way down (the route in the video being one of them). Although the KE gets all the hype, the hike after the KE is equally dangerous because of loose rock, especially on busy days.

[@bryanwozniak8861]

Thanks for the MOST informative video!! Awesome!

[@TVinmyEye]

Fing awesome video! Thank you for not putting music lol, i need get my ass out to Colorado and bag some 14ers

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

TVinmyEye thanks man - glad you enjoyed the vid 🙌🏽

[@roy1337]

7:10 .... adding nuts guard for my hiking list ... haha .. thanks for the video :)

[@Hurricane0721]

I consider myself a fairly brave hiker and climber. I’ve done a number of hikes where you’re next to big drop offs. However, I couldn’t climb that mountain! You don’t need a doctorate degree in geology to realize that mountain has very unstable rock. It’s all that unstable rock that scares me more than the heights.

[@amateurhouradventures]

Great video man, looking forward to doing some 14ers this year and been binge watching your series! 👍

[@Synathidy]

I don't hike places like this, because I would constantly be thinking "one slip, and I die," which would probably make me freak out and slip to my death. All I can think about are the jagged, spiky near-vertical slopes and what it would feel like to tumble, impact, and crumple down them in a long, brutal, high-velocity fall, knowing that death would occur almost certainly. I adore mountains... but dislike exposure.

[@markpatterson8922]

That was, um, an evocative description of a misstep.

[@vilhjalmurtheviking4617]

6:56 Oh hell no! Nope, Nada, Negatory, Not me... you guys are craaaaazy!

[@tomtravis3077]

I have done five 14ers. Been turned back by weather on Shavano, Blanca and Longs. So I have attempted 8. Blanca and Shavano I was just real green. Early 20s. Just didn't want to wait until later in the season. Longs I experienced that slick moss. Right after the Keyhole. The weather came in and put just the slightest amount of rain down. Enough to make it very slick. I feel that I will be ok not doing Capitol 🙂

[@connershore2842]

Great video!! Hitting Capitol this weekend! Curious. How long did it take you to hike from the trailhead to the lake?

[@AliceTaylor-re5wj]

I have the same query

[@mehul21]

I just discovered your channel like a month ago and already finished almost every video. Loved the fact that you mentioned the part about not taking shortcut on peaks like this. How about, if you can, release the uncut edition of this hike that you shot? or maybe some other difficult peak? It doesn't have to be a full 8-10 hour long but perhaps an hour long where majority of the time spent on the peak on the difficult part? I'm trying some local semi-difficult peaks here in the east before heading to Colorado for a week to do some 3-4 14ers in a week. Big fan of your work here and of course the blog, keep them coming.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Mehul Patel hey Mehul thanks for the feedback and glad you are enjoying the vids! I try to edit every video so that it shows all of the important/ relevant spots without getting very dry and boring for most viewers. Based on data most people only watch about 60-70% of the videos as is, so longer edits aren’t in the plans as of now. Always happy to answer any questions you have though, so feel free to reach out if there are questions/hikes I can help out with 👍🏽

[@mehul21]

@@TheVirtualsherpa Thank you, Mickey for that. I definitely learned quite a bit from your videos, especially with those technical parts. I will be using them when I do Huntington Ravine at the Mt. Washington, NH. As always, keep the good content coming. :) and Be safe!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Mehul Patel Huntington is great - tried snagging it last summer but got rained out. Hoping to make it back there soon, enjoy!

[@TJBurr]

Thank you very much for sharing this video. Excellent stuff to know about climbing Capitol.

[@mountaintrailventures]

Another excellent video and very informative. Thank You and Congratulations.

[@none4516]

Can you explain why or how people die on the shortcut ?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Christian Gozo for sure - basically people get tired or lost and think there is a shorter way down. It looks inviting from the top, basically a gully. By the time gravity helps you get down, people either cliff out (I show the massive cliffs that line the north side of the mountain) and fall or realize they can’t go back up the way they came down and call for help. Basically what looks like a nice gully turns into a multi hundred foot straight cliff.

[@none4516]

The Virtual Sherpa damn that’s crazy! Thanks for the explanation👍It definitely looks deceiving

[@christophertherealone.7938]

I’m coming out to Colorado to hike and I would love to climb this but I don’t think I’m ready and it sucks

[@sleepy.philly]

Attempting capitol next weekend 🤙🤙

[@harpoon_bakery162]

How did it go Philip?

[@ColdPlungeCam]

Harpoon_Bakery Phillip hello

[@ColdPlungeCam]

Philip Ahn are you alive

[@Walteralexander1]

👀

[@loveall2764]

Very interesting footage! I'm never going to do anything like this. I am curious at 8:33 you point out to not go that way. It How is it that people die going that route? It appears that you can hike it all the way down. Is it much steeper than it appears?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Love All yeah that’s what people seem to think but if you go down that way it cliffs out and basically you can go down but can’t get back up, so people either get stranded and call for help or slip and fall of a several hundred foot cliff.

[@TonyBosco-h8i]

Looking forward to it ....

[@peacefulliving6432]

What an accomplishment. How long have you been hiking for?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Thanks! Been hiking since I was 10/11 and just learning more as I went 👍🏽

[@peacefulliving6432]

@@TheVirtualsherpa That is Awesome!! As a kid I was always outside. I am trying to work on hiking more because I love it. You guys have skills for sure. I think I might of passed out on that knife part. That freaked me out a bit! Especially, if there was a big gust of wind or lightning. (My luck) 😂

[@Randomstlhero]

Damn this looks fun! The hardest peak I’ve done is Granite Peak in Montana this looks like it’s right up there. I’m assuming you just left some of your gear at camp tent and all? Subscribed!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Thanks for the sub - yeah, most people camp around the lakes shown in the video, hike up capitol, pack up camp and then head out.

[@AliceTaylor-re5wj]

How long was the first days hike?

[@georgesheffield1580]

The wide angle lens makes it look much worse. You can stand on ledges on on e side with your hand on top and dance across it.

[@jackfinley5305]

KE gets all the attention but how difficult is that class 4 segment you mentioned at about 10:00?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Jack Finley agree with you and IMO the sections after the KE are some of the most dangerous on the mountain from a rockfall perspective. The class 4 isn’t awful and holds are okay (typical elks though so test everything.) Bigger thing to watch out for is where other people are hiking and rockfall.

[@jackfinley5305]

The Virtual Sherpa Thanks for the free beta. Love your stuff

[@guy6054]

Did you stash your packs somewhere? Doesn't look like you guys were carrying much weight to have spent the night!

[@MrCkpcpi]

Great Video! I’ve been waiting on it also.

[@frankblangeard8865]

'The rock is very solid' 8:18. 'Tons and tons of loose rock' 13:50. 'We've been sending stuff flying all day' 14:03.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Frank Blangeard lots of varied conditions on Capitol.

[@jhsubarurepairsandmods8712]

I believe he was referring to knife edge, which is indeed very solid slabs of rock. K2 and Capitol past the knife edge is where you’ll encounter lots of loose rock

[@michaelborek378]

At the 6 minute mark I had a panic attack. Stay safe!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Michael Borek lmao check out 16:30 then

[@adamschott5106]

Love your channel! Use it for my adventures.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Awesome! Glad you have found it helpful, much more content to come!

[@p4psm3re]

thanks for these videos! helps a ton in planning

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Awesome, glad they are helpful.

[@TheMrDpslax]

1:23 I took a photo as well great view

[@sasuke4612]

I love hiking 14ers in this state. Even the “less impressive” ones, view wise, are still breathtaking. I love adding more 14ers under my belt. But, Ik what my limit is and I can 100% say, I will never complete or attempt capital peak.

[@HannahPartyOfOne]

I didn't know I had a fear of heights until watching this video O_O

[@ryanrussell1216]

Any recommendations of 14ers to do before attempting capital?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Ryan Russell check out this video and write up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHLcnmcapZ0nLc - anything with high exposure and class 3 is good to tackle before.

[@coasternut3091]

I'd love to do this but the altitude would be my biggest issue. Our highest "peak" is only 6,600ft.

[@lop_dan]

Insane hike! Thanks for sharing. The knife-edge is just sick. Are there any wild animals (snakes) hidden in those rocks?

[@rts100x5]

no snakes but bears are not uncommon

[@jw725]

Great video! Climbed S. Maroon a few years ago. How would you compare the exposure and overall difficulty of Capitol to S. Maroon?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

I rank all the 14ers here, check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHLcnmcapZ0nLc&t - South Maroon is comparable to Cap with exposure minus the knife edge which is much more exposed than anything on SM. The traverse over the bells is far more exposed than Cap though.

[@KrazyKrzysztof]

anyone know if I can reach trail head in a honda fit(similar clearance as a civic etc).

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

KrazyKrzysztof you should be fine

[@AndyHamiltonnn]

Great video! Thanks for the beta!

[@intpsoftware5784]

Stupid question: was the knife edge scary? If so, how much?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Intp Software think it entirely depends on your experience and comfort with exposure. Personally, I felt a little uneasy at first but once I realized the rock was mostly stable, really enjoyed it and ended up walking most of it on the way back.

[@Alll979]

Awesome climb!

[@DennisRackers]

Your vid is far and away the best I've seen for Capitol Peak ! For me, it looks like the primary challenge for Capitol is mental. Does my prior experience on Longs and Wetterhorn suffice or can you recommend others that would help me prepare for Capitol? Thanks!!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Dennis Rackers it’s always tough to compare mountains and recommend things for people, as you imagine I get it a lot. What I will say about Capitol though: know the route, be comfortable with exposure and use the knife edge as a judgment point: if weather looks iffy there, turn around. Capitol is mentally a tough hike but also physically, especially since you are either lugging in gear for two days or hiking a long ass hike in one. Honestly, it’s a fun hike but the loose rock after the KE was terrible.

[@markcafiero2662]

So Dennis, did you do it? How'd it go?

[@Maxmilion6004]

Well this was a cool video. Subscribed

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Max Sperlich thanks man appreciate it and the sub 🙌🏽

[@Shanemo007]

really like the channel good stuff

[@baileyvoss8266]

How many extra miles of hiking would you have to do if you have a low clearance 2WD vehicle?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Bailey Voss you’d probably be adding about 6-7 miles RT. You can park about 3.3 miles away from the upper TH.

[@baileyvoss8266]

@@TheVirtualsherpa appreciate the response and all the videos. You and 14ers.com have the best content regarding the hikes. I've come out here for the summer and have climbed 16 14ers so far! I always watch your videos for preparation

[@tommyboit9494]

Quick question what makes it so dangerous going down that one route? Is it because of loose rock it looks pretty easy to go down I'm just curious.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

That’s what it looks like but they turn into multiple hundred feet drop cliff outs. 2:04 shows it and the end of the video does as well.

[@yagabajing535]

do most people make the 17 mile Round Trip in 2 days, or 1?

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

2️⃣

[@behrensf84]

So is it as scary as it looks in the video?

[@jdreaper2176]

Why not solo Capital like the other 14ers you've done ??

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Sometimes it’s fun to share memories with others.

[@jdreaper2176]

@@TheVirtualsherpa true dat.

[@Iceman_777]

@@jdreaper2176 Capitol is a easy solo if you have a solid rock climbing background. It's not for people who have very little experience climbing or hiking.

[@TrevorTrails]

Well done This is a great video Really enjoyed this

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Thanks man - appreciate it!

[@RT-tn4ry]

the rock is steady..... ya right looks real strong.

[@Valaran1]

I have never had so much anxiety from a KZbin video.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

😂 good luck with some of the other videos on the channel

[@Rosecain27]

Thank you

[@brandonseifert8527]

Hey what website do you use for routes? I usually use 14ers.com but it updated a couple of times and now I can’t find the different routes.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

I typically use 14ers or Gerry Roach's book - both are great resources for initial information. I also have 56/58 standard routes on my site as well.

[@mtndude96]

Just did the summit of Sunlight with almost no issue and I'm told it's the most exposed one but, this looks waaaay worse.

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

That move on Sunlight is probably one of the most exposed and catches people by surprise since you could skip the Leap of Faith and have no idea what someone is talking about. Do agree though that Cap is far more exposed consistently than that move.

[@forgotaboutbre]

Wow that last bit is so exposed!

[@therealpsychotrader]

CP is fucking insane. With that said, see you at the top.

[@Cardgames4children]

The sheer drop-off? Yea, sure... whatever. Not that I'll ever find myself up there, but that is just mental fear that you could, with some effort, overcome.It's that *wind* that I find really scary, I think it would keep on distracting me! Awesome vid and stay safe

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

100% agree - exposure can be practiced in other hikes, but the weather is completely unpredictable. Appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@pavelow235]

6:25 talk about a ridge climb....fuck me. 😬

[@mikelboudica5389]

That on video looks sketchy as hell. This is like crossing those ladders, that you see Everest climbers pass at the beginning of the climb, BUT they have cord and safety, crazy that people just attempt this without actually knowing how much they are risking.

[@kristenoliveira6645]

Duuuuude that knife edge!!! How do you balls fit in your pants???? Congrats on Capitol!

[@peterwdflooringcom]

Great video...Thank you.

[@TomAllnatt]

Take your time he says. Nothing too scary he says. hahaha. I was shitting my pants just watching this.

[@6bonjour]

Why are my palms sweaty?

[@stringermedia5875]

One Brave Soul.