This is the established standard climbing route on Borah Peak and the one most commonly described in climbing references. It is a non-technical alpine ascent, but it is still a serious mountain route because of steep terrain, loose rock, and exposure near the summit ridge. The route typically follows the southwest side of the mountain and then gains the upper ridge to the summit. Conditions can vary significantly with snow, ice, and lingering alpine snowfields, which can increase difficulty and objective hazard. Route-finding is important, especially in poor visibility. The descent is usually made by the same line, and loose rock makes downclimbing and scree travel tedious.
