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The Idaho 12er Home Page

Other states have their famous challenges. For instance, Colorado and California have highly publicized fourteener marathons, in which hikers try to break the record for the fastest time up all 14ers in each state. The current record in California is 4 days, 11 hours, 19 minutes. That's for 15 peaks! The Colorado record for 54 peaks is just over 10 days. In Idaho, our challenge is the nine 12,000 foot peaks. The number one goal for most Idaho scramblers and peakbaggers (yes, some climbers and hikers too) is climbing each of the 9 peaks. Because of the ruggedness of the ranges these peaks are found in, this is a tremendous challenge. With the exception of Hyndman Peak, all of Idaho's 12,000 foot peaks are challenging class 3 routes. While not as technical, Hyndman still presents a roundtrip of 12 miles/5,000 foot gain.

As things usually do, this craze of speed records has been slowly working its way to Idaho. Last year a friend of mine started scouting in the Lost Rivers for a possible traverse between Leatherman and Breitenbach. Then I started getting emails about it this fall. I've been asked by several people and have volunteered to post the fastest known ascent to date and update that as people attempt to break it next summer (2003).

I would also like to track those that have completed the 12,000 foot peaks. Please send your name and where you live if you have.

The Challenge

For us normal people, just climb the 9 Idaho peaks over 12,000 feet. For those with a flair for the extreme, climb them in the fastest time possible in accordance with the rules that follow...

The Rules

The following rules apply to be considered a record ascent:

The clock starts when you leave from the first trailhead and ends when you return back to the last trailhead. So if you do Diamond Peak first, the clock starts there and continues as you climb that peak, drive to the Lost Rivers, go through them, drive to Hyndman, and ends when you touch your car at the Hyndman trailhead after having climbed that peak.

No motorized means of travel can occur once you leave the given trailhead for each peak. For instance, you cannot drive a motorcycle into Hyndman Basin, then bag the peak. You can't have a helicopter fly you to the top of each peak. You get the idea... Some mountain bike the flat section on Hyndman Peak, this is fine, but I must warn you that a BIG asterisk will go next to your name!

Traverses ARE allowed. For example, you can climb from Leatherman to Donaldson on the ridgeline if you so desire (and have the ability to).

No porter rule! You must carry your own pack. Someone can accompany you on the climb, but they can't lug your stuff around for you.

Drivers. It is acceptable for someone to drive you between peaks, cook you dinner, etc... However, no foot massagers are allowed, as that would provide an unfair advantage for any attempt at the record I might shoot for, as my wife refuses to rub feet and none of you freaks are touching them!

Current Idaho 12er Speed Records (Click on the name to read about the trip)

Time	Person	Residence	Date Completed
1 day, 14 hours, 50 min.	Dave Bingham and Rob Landis	Hailey	7/25/2005
3 days, 11 hours, 16 min.	Nic Stover	Boise	9/1/2003
* 5 days, 7 hours, 38 min. *Matt biked the Hyndman trail section (6 miles roundtrip)	Matt Darrington	Shelley	8/24/2003
8 days	Buck and Ron Horton	Idaho Falls and Moscow (at that time)	9/3/1995

Idaho 12er Completers (the ones I know of)

Mike Howard - Idaho Falls	Terry Howard - Idaho Falls	Tom Lopez - Boise	Jerry Painter - Idaho Falls	Buck Horton- Idaho Falls	Ron Horton - Puyallup, Wa
Rick Baugher - Idaho Falls	John Platt - Boise	Chuck Ferguson - Idaho Falls	Dana Hanson - Boise	Brad Chilton = Pocatello	Marty T. Cooke - Pocatello
Dan Robbins - Boise	Jim Just - Meridian	Nic Stover - Boise	Matt Darrington - Shelley	Norman Wright - Filer	Allen Ploss - Jerome
Rob Reterson - Nampa	Bob Marcinko - Blackfoot	Margo Lasky - Pocatello	Mike Allen - Boise	Dan Weeks - Pocatello	Grayson Russell - Idaho Falls
Patty Russell - Idaho Falls	Richard Wallace - American Falls	Douglas Jones - Rupert	Stan Siewert - Burley	Earl McAlister - American Falls	Larry McAlister - American Falls
Rob Landis - Hailey	Eric Larsen - Idaho Falls	Dave Bingham - Hailey	Steven (JB) Harris - Ririe	Pat McGrane - Boise	Johnny Roache - Mountain Home
George Reinier - Caldwell	Mike Sharpes - Boise	Gary Chadwick - Boise	Shane Jenné - Boise	Aaron Christensen - Idaho Falls	Curt Davis - Jerome
Michael Summers - Pocatello	Craig Peck - Aberdeen	Charles Trost - Pocatello	Scott Trost - Lewiston	Tammy Ryan Perkins - Boise	Greg Perkins - Boise
Kent Hobbs - Pocatello	Nancy Gaenzle - Twin Falls	Brad Eidam - Boise	David Maguire - Pocatello	Kregg Aytes - Pocatello	Ben Anderson - Chubbock
Sean Duffy - Boise

*Note: Some will argue that Peak 12003 and Peak 12247 (Borah's North Summit) should be on this list as well. However, neither have sufficient relief from higher peaks to be considered separate peaks.

My Status

On 8/17/2003, I completed the last of the nine 12,000 foot peaks!

Information About Each Peak

#1 - Borah Peak

Photo courtesy of Zach Vickery.	Details: Borah Peak is the highest peak in Idaho. It is named after Idaho senator, William Borah. It is climbed quite often, as it is the state highpoint. Borah's most famous feature is "chicken-out ridge", which is a knife-edged at about 11,200 feet with 2,000 feet drop-offs on either side. Just after the ridge is a down climb and a snow-bridge crossing... added features that instill fear in some. Main Route: Southwest Ridge Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 7 miles Elevation gain: 5,550 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,662	Custer	Lost River	3	T.M. Bannon - 1914	Yes

#2 - Leatherman Peak

Leatherman from Mount Church.	Details: Leatherman Peak is a giant peak when viewed from west from ID 93. It is named after Henry Leatherman, who was a early-day hunter, trapper, teamster, and freight carrier in the Lost River Valley. Main Route: North Gully/East Ridge from the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi River. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 8 miles Elevation gain: 4,100 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,228	Custer	Lost River	3	T.M. Bannon - 1914	Yes

#3 - Mount Church

Mount Church from Donaldson Peak.	Details: Mount Church, which still has not been officially measured or named, is the third highest peak in Idaho. It is unofficially named after the late Frank Church, an US Senator from Idaho, who was monumental in the development of wilderness areas in Idaho during the 1970's. The peak is usually climbed in conjunction with Donaldson Peak (#8). Main Route: South ridge from saddle between it and Donaldson Peak. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 9 miles Elevation gain: 5,200 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,200+	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown	Yes

#4 - Diamond Peak

	Details: Diamond Peak is a monster peak found in the Lemhi range of Idaho. It is the highest Lemhi Range peak and highest in Butte County. Climbing it via the east ridge is short, but very steep in places. I rate it a hard class 3. Main Route: East Ridge Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 5 miles Elevation gain: 4,200 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,197	Butte	Lemhi	3	T.M. Bannon - 1912	Yes

#5 - Mount Breitenbach

Photo courtesy of Sean Duffy.	Details: Mount Breitenbach is a beautiful peak, named after Jake Breitenbach, an Idahoan who died on Mount Everest during the 1963 American expedition. Some views of the peak make it look like it belongs in the Himalaya. Main Route: Up the Pete Creek drainage to the south ridge. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 7 miles Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,140	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown	Yes

#6 - Lost River Mountain

Lost River's from the west.	Details: Lost River Mountain is probably the least known of the 9 12,000 footers. It is located south of Mount Breitenbach. Main Route: Southwest "super" gully, then follow the south ridge. This gully is nasty, consider a spring/early summer snow climb. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 6 miles Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,078	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown	6/1/2003

#7 - Mount Idaho

Photo courtesy of Gwen Garber.	Details: Mount Idaho provides the gorgeous backdrop for Merriam Lake. Getting to Merriam Lake is easy... getting to the trailhead is a long and dusty task. Main Route: West ridge/face. Hike up Elkhorn Creek to a saddle at the base of the west ridge. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 8 miles Elevation gain: 5,000 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,065	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown	Yes

#8 - Donaldson Peak

Donaldson Peak from the saddle between it and Mount Church.	Details: Donaldson Peak is named after Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles Donaldson. It is most often climbed from the saddle between it and Mount Church via its north ridge. Do this in conjunction with an ascent of Church. Main Route: North ridge from saddle between it and Mount Church. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: .5 miles (if climbed in conjunction with Mount Church) Elevation gain: 275 feet (if climbed in conjunction with Mount Church)
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,023	Custer	Lost River	3	Unknown	Yes

#9 - Hyndman Peak

James Just photo.	Details: Hyndman Peak is a very popular destination, as it is close to the resort area of Sun Valley. The route is also the easiest of all 9 peaks. Excellent views and terrain on this climb! Named after Major William Hyndman, a Civil War veteran and early prominent pioneer/mine operator in the region. Main Route: East ridge from saddle between Hyndman Peak and Old Hyndman Peak. Route Stats Roundtrip mileage: 12 miles Elevation gain: 5,009 feet
Height	County	Range	Class	First Ascent	Climbed By Me
12,009	Blaine	Pioneer	2	W.T. Griswold and E.T. Perkins - 1889	Yes

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