The topographic prominence of El Diente Peak is only 239 feet (73 m), so by a strict 300-foot (91 m) cutoff rule, it would not be counted as a separate peak from its higher neighbor Mount Wilson. However, the 3/4 mile (1.2 km) connecting ridge is a significant climbing challenge (Class 4/5), making El Diente more independent than its prominence would indicate.[5]
Hence, it is often regarded as a full-fledged fourteener.
El Diente is one of the more dramatic peaks in Colorado in terms of local relief and steepness. As a result, it is one of the most challenging climbs among Colorado's fourteeners. All routes involve at least class 3 scrambling on loose talus, and poor route-finding can expose the climber to more difficult and dangerous terrain.
Incidents
As with all high peaks, El Diente has risks for climbers and mountaineers.[6]
In 2010, experienced climber John Arthur Merrill was killed in a rock slide on El Diente's south face while hiking with his dog.[7]
In 2019, a climber was rescued after surviving a 600-foot fall from El Diente after landing in an avalanche chute. While seriously injured, the climber was rescued by helicopter after activating an emergency signal on his GPS device.[8]
In 2020, climber Regina Stump fell 60 feet from El Diente after a boulder she was scrambling came loose. After breaking a wrist she was able to climb to safety.[9]
In 2022, a climber fell from El Diente Peak and broke his leg. He was rescued after calling for help from his inReach device.[10][11]
