Northcutt-Carter Route facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northcutt-Carter Route |
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Looking west over Dream Lake. Hallett Peak is on the left with the dramatic cliff band and prominent point.
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| Location | Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA |
| Coordinates | 40°18′11″N 105°41′10″W / 40.30310°N 105.686°W |
| Climbing Area | Hallett Peak |
| Route Type | Trad/Alpine |
| Vertical Gain | 900 feet |
| Pitches | 8 |
| Rating | 5.7 |
| Grade | III |
| First ascent | R. Northcutt & Carter |
The Northcutt-Carter Route is a famous and challenging climbing route found on Hallett Peak in Colorado's beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. This route is well-known among climbers and is even featured in a famous book called Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. It's a popular choice for experienced climbers looking for an adventure in the mountains.
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What is the Northcutt-Carter Route?
The Northcutt-Carter Route is a special path up a mountain that climbers follow. It's located on Hallett Peak, a tall mountain in the Rocky Mountain National Park in the USA. This route is considered a "technical" climb, which means climbers need special gear and skills to get to the top.
Climbing Hallett Peak
Hallett Peak is a stunning mountain that reaches high into the sky. It's part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The peak is known for its steep rock faces, which make it a perfect spot for climbing. When you climb Hallett Peak, you get amazing views of the surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park, including beautiful lakes and forests.
What is a Climbing Route?
A climbing route is like a specific trail or path that climbers use to go up a rock face or mountain. The Northcutt-Carter Route is about 900 feet tall, which is like climbing up a 90-story building! This route is divided into sections called "pitches." Each pitch is a length of climbing that a rope can cover, usually around 100 to 200 feet. The Northcutt-Carter Route originally had eight pitches.
Climbing routes also have a "rating" and a "grade." The rating, like 5.7 for this route, tells you how difficult the climbing moves are. A higher number means it's harder. The grade, like III for this route, tells you how long and serious the climb is. Grade III means it's a full-day climb for most teams.
A Changing Route: The 1999 Rockfall
Mountains are always changing, and sometimes nature can reshape climbing routes. In 1999, a very large rockfall happened on Hallett Peak. This natural event caused a lot of rock to break away from the mountain. Sadly, this rockfall removed the first two pitches of the Northcutt-Carter Route. This means the beginning of the climb is now different from how it was when the route was first discovered. Climbers now have to find a new way to start the route, or they might use a different approach.
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park
The Northcutt-Carter Route is just one of many amazing things to see and do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This park is a huge natural area in Colorado with towering mountains, clear lakes, and lots of wildlife. It's a great place for hiking, camping, and, of course, climbing! The park helps protect the beautiful environment and allows people to enjoy the outdoors.
