Borah Peak, Idaho's highest peak, is usually called Mount Borah by Idahoans. It was named for Senator William Borah and its early history is recounted in the Mountaineering History section of the book.

Borah is a complex and attractive mountain with relatively good rock. Even if it was not Idaho's highest, it would be on my top ten list for best climbs in Idaho. Even the standard route is arduous and mentally demanding.

Thanks to its “highest peak” status, many attempt to climb it each year, mostly by the southwest ridge route. Borah has been climbed during every month of the year. The late Chuck Ferguson climbed the peak 25 times between 1979 and 1998.

There have been three fatalities on the peak. This is a low number considering the number of inexperienced climbers who attempt Borah. The climbers who died were experienced, but tempted fate by challenging adverse snow conditions. In November of 1977, two Idaho Falls climbers were swept away and killed by an avalanche on the southwest ridge route. In the spring of 1987, a Boise climber died after losing control of his glissade and going over a cliff. The first ascent was probably by T.M. Bannon of the USGS in 1912.

NOTE: Mount Borah access information for the standard route on is found on pages 271 and 292 (B)(6). Recently, a new trail was built leading from the parking lot to the saddle just east of Point 8714. See Map. This trail work replaces a climbers route that climbed to the saddle via a gully. Needless to say, the trail makes the first part of the climb much easier. From the saddle, the standard climber's route continues up toward Chicken Out Ridge without any new improvements.