how to climb a 14er

Rainier, WA (14,410'); and Mt. It is best to additionally wear a brimmed hat and long sleeves. A weather radio will be useful to check the weather that morning if you decide to do this. He created The Next Summit to share advice, stories, history & reflections from the Colorado Rockies & Sierra Nevada. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative : The CFI is responsible for many, if not most of the trails that take us to the top of the fourteeners. And it’s still a very do-able 14er to start with too. Q: Any suggestions for a first 14er close to Denver? Check the Weather forecast repeatedly and plan accordingly. Not fun, trust me. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,781 times. Keep these tips in mind whether you’re preparing for your first 14er or just tagging another. Avalanche risks are heightened immediately following storms, and you may need special gear like snowshoes to navigate post-snow drifts. Features; Climbing a 14er With Kids. By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. There’s a few steep sections, but for the most part it’s a gentle climb. On the trail, be prepared to turn around earlier if weather, a medical condition, or water dictate. If you plan to drive after the hike, be sure you are not tired and can remain alert! If you are really new, take a course through your local club, REI, EMS other other organization. Learn more... A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). Take your family to new heights while attempting a quintessential Colorado adventure. Bring along maps and GPS to navigate in the snow. It can make a huge difference. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. Winter 14ers are not easy, but the solitude they provide is well worth the effort. This article has been viewed 73,781 times. While Quandary Peak is the only Breckenridge 14er, there are still a ton of other quad-crushing and jaw dropping hikes that’ll give you bragging rights without the crowds. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The Next Summit is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks in the snow, or a “wallop” sound. The most difficult include up to 20 miles or more with 6,000-7,000 feet of gain. Finding a base. Food and drinks available for purchase! There is less atmosphere to block UV rays at 14,000' and you will burn much more easily. Click the links below for route info on each…. NEVER continue towards the summit after your predetermined turnaround time. If your travels take you to central Colorado, Castle Peak (14,256ft) is roughly 30 minutes from the famous mountain town of Aspen and is an excellent, non-technical walk up. This helps is evaporate, preventing wet clothes (which would get cold, fast). Your 14er Training Plan. Things change fast so you need to be ready for anything. Checking the weather becomes even more important in the winter. Thankfully the risk is low on these beginner peaks, but it is not non-existent. People have died on even “easy” peaks in the winter in the past, so don’t get complacent. Part 5: Practicing Leave No Trace. One of the less obvious challenges of winter 14ers is navigating. They give daily updates on avalanche risk in various parts of the state. So when you climb your first Colorado 14er (or 58th, to be honest), it's important to start super early. You shouldn’t have any skin left exposed. Here’s an overview of how to plan, pack and prepare for your trip! This is very important on a mountain, where the temperature may change 15-25 degrees from trailhead to summit. Intro by Kristen Bor / Article by Ben and Jenna Thomas. Anytime the risk is higher than Moderate, you probably want to stay home, unless you have more experience or training. Whitney (14,491') in California. You want to slowly build your endurance, as climbing a 14er can take between 5 and 12 hours of intense hiking at higher and higher elevation. How to Climb a 14er: The Complete Beginner's Course. At high altitudes (above 10,000ft), there is less oxygen. Three of the days focus on interval training and full-body strength workouts, two days will include longer steady-state cardiac-output workouts, and one day can be designated as a training hike day or bonus steady-state … A: Go climb a mountain! BEFORE YOU LEAVE, decide on an turn-around time, based on weather reports and sunset. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. Start with a base layer of Merino Wool – this is a special, odor-resistant type of worm that will also wick away sweat from your body. Take many short rests and breathe steadily. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you are experienced but want to go higher or harder, link up with an experienced party or buddy. Craggy summit in sight, my exhausted seven-year-old son collapsed on a gray rock and rested his head in his hands. Bring extra water and leave it in your vehicle to drink on the drive home. There is a large deal of variation for elevation gain and mileage when climbing 14ers. If you’re going to attempt the climb yourself, remember all these key points: Pick a beginner’s peak to start; Check the Weather forecast repeatedly … This course will teach you everything you need for a safe and successful first ascent of one of Colorado's 50+ 14,000ft high peaks: From research and gear, to training and emergency prep, we'll cover it all. If you can spend the night at the trailhead, that will help to acclimate you and will eliminate driving the day of your ascent. – Cardiovascular fitness: Running and cycling build endurance. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. Abort the climb if hazardous conditions arise. Start and summit as early as possible as thunderstorms are more likely to occur later in the day (typically 1-4pm). Winter weather is generally more fickle than the summer. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Snow can be powdery and deep, requiring poles and snowshoes.

Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. But it could also be hard as ice, requiring an ice axe and full crampons. A: Some ideas: Torreys/Grays - … When that’s not possible, see if you can bring along someone who has been on the route before. We talked to Jeff Golden, experienced hiker and Colorado Mountain Club marketing manager, about preparing to climb a 14er — especially if it’s your first. Whitney (14,491') in California. Four Great 14ers for your first Overnight Climb! You should always bring one extra layer, or an emergency bivy to use if you have to spend a night outdoors unplanned. Beginner’s Guide to 14ers. The snow also helps provide unlimited route options, while cushioning your steps. Instead of wearing one or two very heavy coats, layers let you add or shed clothing to adjust to changing temperature conditions. Snow and ice are the most obvious challenges of winter 14er climbing. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Climb-a-14er-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Climb-a-14er-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Climb-a-14er-Step-1.jpg\/aid24299-v4-728px-Climb-a-14er-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"