Mears Group
Date: 08-20-2023
Partner: Kristi Henes
Trailhead: Deep Creek
Summits:
* S10 (The Corpse)
* S9
* S8
* Ruffner (Unranked)
* S7
* Mears
Distance: 16.8m
Elevation Gain: 7100ft
Duration: 13.5hrs
GPX
S10 (The Corpse) 14ers.com Page
S9 14ers.com Page
S8 14ers.com Page
Ruffner 14ers.com Page
S7 14ers.com Page
Mears 14ers.com Page
A long day up high on the western side of Ridgway's sky line. We found this route much easier... and more enjoyable than billed. The tougher section is between S7 and Mears. However it was quite fun as well. The descent from Mears... while it had it's challenges... was also much better than expected. Call me sick... but I would do this one again.
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16.8m - 7100ft - 13.5hrs
![Mears 02]()
Not this way
![Mears 03]()
this way
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As it gets lighter views start to open up
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Don't start so early that it is still dark when you get hear
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There was some minor bushwhacking below this section. If you find yourself in a major bushwhack check your navigation
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The ascent to S10(The Corpse)
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Kristi at the S10 / Hayden saddle. Hayden behind
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Wilson Group to the south. Lizard Head off to the left
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S10 summit
![Mears 12]()
Next stop S9
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S9 summit. The terrain is relatively easy so far. In fact it doesn't get challenging until the traverse between S7 and Mears
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Next stop S8
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S8 front and center. Just a casual stroll
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Looking back to S9 and S10 from S8
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Next stop Ruffner
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![Mears 25]()
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After a short out and back to Ruffner we headed to S7
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Kristi approaching S7
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The traverse from S7 to Mears has some loose spots but it is also kinda fun in a sick sorta way
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Plenty of navigation
![Mears 34]()
Some loose rock but not too bad
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Fun features
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and boom... we are almost there!
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Mears summit views to the east
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Sneffels views from Mears
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Mears summit selfie
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I had been dreading the descent off of Mears... but it wasn't as bad as billed... until the very bottom
![Mears 43]()
This section was easier to walk than it looks
![Mears 44]()
The steep slabs were a little challenging given they have some kitty litter on them
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Not sure if she is down climbing or posing
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Not hard but you need to be careful as there are small loose rocks on the solid slab
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Looking back to our descent
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This is where the descent got more challenging. The scree was a total pain in the butt to walk on. Don't twist an ankle towards the end of a long day
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Kristi stoked to be done with the descent and heading to Telluride for some dinner and ice cream. Oh... I did get a little off track on the way out... so be sure to keep a heads up and not loose the trail.
