[Odonata]

So, are people peeing on the structure, or do you think guys are aiming over the edge and somehow missing.

[Tom]

The lookout is perched on dynamited summit block - there is flat rock extending around the lookout. I doubt many people venture near "the edge" in the middle of the night (unless they're looking for a darwin award). It all adds up.

[#19]

[polarbear]

[peppersteak'n'ale]

Funny, I just posted on this as being one of my "destination spots" for this year. Do I go or do I spend my precious free time tackling another peak? Someone I met on a hike recently suggested that it was his favorite peak in the region, but if it's going to be be over-crowded and full of urinating individuals I might look at other peaks.

[polarbear]

Everyone I've talked to has rave reviews on 3-fingers. The birdseye photos people have posted make me want to go there. This is the first I've heard about the smell, but maybe it depends on how strong of a breeze there is at the top.

[lopper]

I think that those "rave reviews" are the hype that Tom is referring to. There is no doubt that 3F lookout is a spectacular place. I just wish everyone the good fortune of being there when it's not overrun with people. The mice are bad enough.

kresek

[Tom]

It could be this summer was an anomaly. With the road washed out the previous year and a low snow year making the summit attainable in tennies by late summer it could have drawn excess crowds. The lack of rain may have contributed to the aroma, but something tells me a lookout with no restrictions on overnight use other than the number of people who can squeeze inside will suffer this fate. Polarbear, there are 3 ladders. The first two didn't seem any scarier than climbing a ladder at home. The third ladder is scarier if you don't like heights. It's also a little trickier coming down than it is going up. Otherwise no big deal. Obviously a different story when icy or wet, or if the ladders need repair. Here's Rialtosol at the top of the second ladder:

Peppersteak, if you want to bag a popular summit, get a good workout, and don't mind crowds, put 3 Fingers on your list for a weekend (otherwise save it for a weekday). For the same effort on a weekend, I think I'd prefer basking in solitude atop i.e. Columbia Peak (guessing, never been there), gazing down upon Blanca and Twin Lakes...

[#19]

[#19]

Tommy wrote

[lopper]

Yes, I'll agree that Columbia Pk is a superior choice. But, FYI, at the summit, your view of Blanca is blocked by the massive N-S trending ridge that you sit upon. The Twin Lakes aren't able to hide, though.

Columbia

[#19]

Tom wrote

[Tom]

Somebody must not have gotten what they wanted for Christmas. I did enjoy the trip. Just saying it would have been more enjoyable on a weekday after a heavy rain and if expectations hadn't been as hyped. BTW, if you want to reduce the size of your pics, lower the jpeg quality (not necessarily the dimensions).

[Newt]

Just go. Then you know first hand. If you don't, you may regret it. That in it's self can eat a hole in your soul that can never be filled. You will never be happy. Your life will be unfulfilled. You will feel empty and ashamed. Essentially, you will come up short in life. Besides, if it's bad now, it will just get worse over time. Go. Go while you have the chance. N

[Stefan]