Borah Peak

This is the highest peak in all of Idaho, standing 12,662 ft along the Lost River Range. There are several routes that can be taken in order to reach the summit with different levels of difficulty depending on the season. Mount Borah has been summited every month of the year, though the best season to climb is late summer or early fall.

The most common route used in climbing Mount Borah is Southwest "Chicken-out" Ridge. This is a Class 3-4 route, and if going in the summer/fall does not require any advanced or additional equipment. The trail starts through a pine forest and sage brush area. After the forested area, climbers will then go through some switchbacks as they make their way towards "Chicken-out" Ridge. The crux of the trail begins around 11,200 ft in elevation and at this point climbers must scramble, or use their hands on the steep trail, through the crux. There is a lot of exposure along the "Chicken-out" Ridge and for inexperienced climbers, this is the point where many turn back. For more experienced climbers, this part might not seem too bad and leave them wondering if they really have climbed through the worst section. While scrambling up the ridge, the last portion will have climbers scramble down. Exercise caution through this area because a snow knife-edge is present most of the year. Past this ridge the slope becomes a variety of different rocks, from scree and talus to bare slabs and ledges. At the top of Mount Borah is a registry, so feel free to sign it after reaching the top!

Other routes to the summit require either a lot of experience, or additional equipment, or in most cases both. Mount Borah is a great mountain to climb because there is something for every climber. Other routes include North Face Direct, North Face (traverse), Psycho Therapy, Borah Borah Borah, Northeast Ridge, Hidden Couloir, East Face Dye/Boyer, Dirty Traverse, East Face Direct, East Face-Northeast Ridge Variation, South Couloir, and Northwest Ridge.