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13,025 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

The Corpse

The Corpse is a 13,025 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the UN 13,025 NNW Ridge: 10 mi, 3,740 ft of gain, Class 2.

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The Corpse in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

The Corpse at a glance

  • Elevation13,025 ft3,970 m
  • RouteUN 13,025 NNW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance10 mi3,740 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the UN 13,025 NNW Ridge

The Corpse sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is UN 13,025 NNW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 10.8 miles round-trip with roughly 3,740 ft of gain from about 9,280 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Watch for loose rock, route-finding on talus, and brief exposed steps where the terrain steepens. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (30–40 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with The Corpse

Peaks near The Corpse

  1. S 9

    S 9

    13,169 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. S 8

    S 8

    13,268 ft · 1.2 mi away

  3. S 7

    S 7

    13,234 ft · 1.9 mi away

  4. Mears Peak

    Mears Peak

    13,503 ft · 2.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is The Corpse?

The Corpse is 13,025 feet (3,970 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as The Corpse.

How does The Corpse rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,025 feet, The Corpse is the 569th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike The Corpse?

The UN 13,025 NNW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 10 miles with 3,740 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike The Corpse?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the UN 13,025 NNW Ridge, covering 10 miles with 3,740 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike The Corpse?

The UN 13,025 NNW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 10 miles with 3,740 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on The Corpse?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and The Corpse reaches 13,025 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking The Corpse?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon.

When is the best time to hike The Corpse?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb The Corpse with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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