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This peak is not in the book. Updated November 2017

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South Freeman Peak is located ESE of Freeman Peak. When I climbed Freeman Peak, I ignored South Freeman because I did not realize that it rises 440 feet from its saddle with Freeman Peak. Fortunately, Livingston Douglas climbed the peak and provided the route information set out below. USGS Homer Youngs Peak

East Ridge, Class 3

Access

This is a fun Class 3 scramble on the Continental Divide from Pass 9194. The pass can be reached either from the Idaho side (via Freeman Creek Road/Trail) or from the Montana side (via Upper Miner Lakes). My approach was from the Montana side of the Divide. I unofficially call it Freeman Peak East, as it is located 1/2 mile east-southeast of Freeman Peak.

The Climb

South Freeman Peak has 3 potential summits: East, Middle, and West.

• The East Summit is located on the Continental Divide, but it turns out to NOT be the highest point.
• The West Summit is about 300 feet northwest of the middle summit, but it is also NOT the highest point.
• The Middle Summit is about 300 feet west of the Continental Divide and IS the highest point, the peak’s true summit. I found a small cairn on top, but nothing else. I built a larger cairn on this summit.

Using an altimeter and visual observation, I noted that both the East Summit and the West Summit measured 20 feet lower than the Middle Summit.

The scramble between these 3 points is Class 3. Stay below (and north
of) the ridge crest when climbing from the East Summit to the Middle Summit, then scramble south up onto the gentle hump to reach the high point. To reach the West Summit, stay on the north side of the ridge crest to reach its rocky, small top. There are great views of Freeman Peak’s East Face Route and the snow-filled cirque below it from this rocky outcrop.

From my observations, all other ridges on this peak (i.e., North, West, and South Ridges) appear to be Class 5 endeavors. I was surprised how easily the East Ridge went. It looks worse from a distance than it turns out to be. Stay on or close to the ridge crest when climbing the East Ridge in order to avoid the nastier, steeper terrain on the sides of the ridge. There are nice views of Freeman Peak and Monument Peak from all three of the summits of South Freeman Peak.

South Freeman Peak is a legitimate Idaho peak, as its true summit lies in Idaho and most of this mountain’s body is located in the State of Idaho. For bonus points, scramble up the easy Class 2 Southwest Ridge of Peak 9992 from Pass 9194 while you’re up here. Peak 9992 has a gentle summit is a Continental Divide Peak.