The climb up this steep mountain is pretty simple and direct - and without much reprieve from the steepness. But I fared better on this occasion than I did the first time I climbed this route many years ago. That day I forgot my sunscreen, and got burned up something fierce. During the summer the route is replete with flowers of many varieties. For the play list of all my high mtn. climbs: ru-vid.com/group/PL_-D3-4b6xbqY9qs5cN_QFTiqs4gNUstL. Thanks for watching! -CT
With that first mile or so not gaining much elevation makes it a bit deceptive versus Yale. So much of the elevation gain is in the last 1-2 miles makes for a leg burner. Nice content.
Someone else commented in this section about how although the stats are similar, they too felt (as I did) that La Plata seemed a bit tougher than Yale. And actually, I imagine the 'culprit' is as you have identified it - in that relatively mild first mile or so. Thank you for watching, and for adding to the discussion.
Wish I'd found your videos before I attempted La Plata last week. That was the hardest one I've done yet, absolutely kicked my butt. It took me 9 hours because I got off-route both up and again coming down the buttress, halfway up the ridge. But of all the creators on RU-vid, you are one of the best at showing actual trail conditions and major things to look out for during your climb.
Well thank you - I appreciate you saying so. And yes, La Plata is a tough mtn. It is unrelentingly steep almost the entire way. The vicinity of the buttress definitely seems to be where it is easiest to get off track, as the path goes around to the right of the difficulties of the buttress, then goes back toward the ridge top.
Thanks again, I hope you're doing well these days. When we got back to the car after descending this mtn. years ago, my Dad had run out of water so he took a chug from a bottle of water than had gotten hot from being in the car all day, and immediately hurled it up. As for me, as I said above, I forgot my sunscreen and....I actually still have a discernible scar on my face from that day. Other than that, a swell outing!
I agree - the standard NW ridge route up Belford is brutal in its simplicity. Even the switchbacks on the lower approach into Missouri Gulch add a lot to this flavor. I find La Plata similar in that regard.
The standard routes up both are very similar - the endurance stats are nearly identical, and both routes are fairly steep on average. La Plata may have slightly more rocky terrain to negotiate.
Summited La Plata today. It kicked my butt tbh. Yes stats wise it’s very similar to Yale but I had to work a lot harder with this mountain. Maybe it’s those steep sections that seem relentless, or the loose gravel covering a lot of its upper trail that makes one lose footing easily. Beautiful fall day though. Enjoyed it
