Rising as a network of jagged ridge lines in the east half of the valley, the Wasatch mountains are synonymous with Salt Lake City and the state of Utah. Known to many as major ski resort destinations in winter, this big mountain playground on the edges of the city is also host to 22- 11,000 foot mountains. While some of these peaks are only a short hike away from chairlifts, others require grueling approaches and dangerous exposed Class 5 climbing.
Spending two seasons working the Oktoberfest festival at Snowbird resort, I quickly determined climbing the Wasatch 11er's was a great way to spend my down time. Working Friday-Sunday from mid August until the first week of October I had ten weeks to summit the peaks.
Every week I struck out when weather windows presented and chipped away at my objectives. The climb to the ridge lines was always sweaty, but the views to the urban sprawl of the Salt Lake valley reminded me how small this mountain range was. As a budding backcountry skier I learned the topography, names and basic beta to so many incredible areas. A huge sense of fulfillment came when completing this project in September 2016 on the gorgeous summit of Lone Peak after a single night backpacking trip camped in an amazing alpine cirque.
- Mount Nebo 11,928
- Mount Timpanogos 11,750
- South Timpanogos 11,722'
- American Fork Twin Peaks 11,489'
- North Timpanogos 11,441'
- Bomber Peak 11,347'
- Broads Fork Twin Peaks 11,330'
- Pfeifferhorn 11,326'
- White Baldy 11,321'
- Sunrise Peak 11,275'
- Lone Peak 11,253'
- North Peak 11,174'
- Red Baldy 11,171'
- South Thunder Mountain 11,154'
- North Thunder Mountain 11,150'
- Monte Cristo 11,132'
- Dromedary Peak 11,132'
- Box Elder Peak 11,101'
- Provo Peak 11,068'
- Mount Baldy 11,068'
- Sugarloaf Peak 11,051'
- East Peak 11,044'
Completed 10/16