how to climb a 14er

However, if you already have them, you might as well bring them. Craggy summit in sight, my exhausted seven-year-old son collapsed on a gray rock and rested his head in his hands. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do short heights and activities in the surrounding areas. How to Climb a 14er ... Join us at Finkel & Garf Brewing Co. to learn the basics of climbing 14er's! He is working to climb Colorado’s highest 100 peaks, and the 20 tallest peaks in California. Some people are tempted to save energy on their Colorado 14er climb by packing ultralight. Look for other evidence of recent avalanche activity – if you see slide paths have run, it suggests others could too. You first need to choice a 14er to climb. You will want to wear gaiters in any winter conditions, to keep ice and snow out of your socks and boots. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Not fun, trust me. If you are traveling from an altitude near sea level give yourself at least 24 hours to acclimate to an elevation of 5,000 feet (1,524.0 m) or more. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. Abort the climb if hazardous conditions arise. Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks in the snow, or a “wallop” sound. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. While I don’t live in Colorado I do live close enough and have climbed enough 14ers to know what … Although many 14ers can be climbed in one day, it is important to have a basic understanding of survival techniques and always BE PREPARED. You should plan for the forecast, but always be prepared for temperatures up to 10 degrees warmer or colder than predicted. They give daily updates on avalanche risk in various parts of the state. There are far less people, providing ideal solitude experiences. Start and summit as early as possible as thunderstorms are more likely to occur later in the day (typically 1-4pm). My name is Alex Derr. Summiting a 14er can take up to 10 hours of hiking in some cases. Q: Any suggestions for a first 14er close to Denver? Instead of wearing one or two very heavy coats, layers let you add or shed clothing to adjust to changing temperature conditions. Don’t … BEFORE YOU LEAVE, decide on an turn-around time, based on weather reports and sunset. Wear the right clothing layers to stay warm. For our purposes, you probably want to climb one of the easiest ranked mountains. Depending on where you are from, it will be harder to breathe. Arrive at your base camp/area a couple of days in advance. Hiking and climbing one of Colorado's 14er peaks is a thrill! 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. Click the links below for route info on each…. 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. 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. I created The Next Summit to share stories, advice, history and reflections about America’s Mountain Ranges! It’s the only real way to gain skill at assessing avalanche terrain. Have the proper gear for snow and ice trail conditions. This helps is evaporate, preventing wet clothes (which would get cold, fast). The snow also helps provide unlimited route options, while cushioning your steps. Each of these routes is relatively short, contains very little avalanche risk, and have generally accessible trailheads. You should always bring one extra layer, or an emergency bivy to use if you have to spend a night outdoors unplanned. Check the Weather forecast repeatedly and plan accordingly. How To Climb a 14er: The Beginner's Guide | The Next Summit. 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. – Cardiovascular fitness: Running and cycling build endurance. Whitney (14,491') in California. Anytime you’re on more than ten inches of snow, on slopes between 35 and 35 degrees, there’s a chance of a slide. If you plan to do this more than once, you really should take an Avalanche Class. This article has been viewed 73,781 times. The trail is very straightforward and it's a short climb up. You shouldn’t have any skin left exposed. It’s better to have trained and learned what to expect than to start hiking up the mountain only to realize not only is it harder than you thought but carrying a pack with some essentials sucks. Remember that it can be 70 degrees at the trailhead but windy below freezing at the top. Finding a base. Even when avalanche risk ratings are low, you should remain on guard. This is very important on a mountain, where the temperature may change 15-25 degrees from trailhead to summit. 14ers.com, the go-to website for everything 14er-related, has grouped each of the state’s peaks according to difficulty, making it easy for you to choose a mountain to climb. If you have bad knees, hiking in the snow is far more comfortable than talus-hopping in the summer. If you begin to feel tired above tree line, consider turning back. A: Some ideas: Torreys/Grays - … (See more tips on planning these below.) There’s a few steep sections, but for the most part it’s a gentle climb. They provide a good breakdown on the mountains and rank them by difficulty. Thank you for visiting! There is less atmosphere to block UV rays at 14,000' and you will burn much more easily. Whitney (14,491') in California. Copyright 2019 - 2020 The Next Summit | All Rights Reserved, How to Climb a 14er in Winter | Tips for Safe Ascents. The mountain will be there tomorrow. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. On the trail, be prepared to turn around earlier if weather, a medical condition, or water dictate. Find more classes. By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. If you’re not already adjusted to alpine altitudes, make sure you give your body time to acclimate before you attempt to ascend a 14er. By using our site, you agree to our. If you’re going to attempt the climb yourself, remember all these key points: Alex Derr is a mountaineer and blogger based in Denver Colorado. Elbert is the highest of Colorado’s 14er, reaching 14,433 feet. Keep these tips in mind whether you’re preparing for your first 14er or just tagging another. Hiking a 14er is not a race however you will need to start your descent by noon at the absolute latest to avoid the severe thunderstorms that typically roll in mid day. 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. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. How to Climb a 14er: The Complete Beginner's Course. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. Avoid being caught in open areas during a lightning storm! According to the USGS there are 59 “named points” in the state of Colorado that reach14,000 feet or more. I would not recommend doing any other peaks than these for your first 14er in winter conditions unless you have someone experienced with you. Quandary Peak; Just south of Breckenridge, Quandary is very accessible and a relatively easy climb. If you appreciate my work, consider becoming a Patron with a small monthly gift. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. “To climb a 14er is to experience all CO has to offer,” says Aspen’s Darcy Conover, Corbeaux founder and a skier and mountaineer who has climbed or skied all of the state’s 14ers and 94 of the Colorado’s 100 highest peaks . Pack high-ener­gy foods like PB & J sand­wich­es, ener­gy bars, dried fruit, and can­dy bars. People have died on even “easy” peaks in the winter in the past, so don’t get complacent. Expect to feel the effects of altitude and plan accordingly. So now that you've picked your goal climb and reviewed the endurance training rules, here's how to get in shape for climbing a 14er: Aerobic Endurance (3–4x a week) At least once a week, do one long aerobic workout. % of people told us that this article helped them. Part 4: Planning for the Worst. 14er Fitness - How to Prep for Top-Notch Climb. The 14ers are much more dangerous in the winter. However, given the many risks, you have to know a few things to hike a 14er in the winter safely. At high altitudes (above 10,000ft), there is less oxygen. You need to consider the weather on the day of the climb, but also the days leading up to it, to consider snow conditions. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Part 1: Preparing for your Climb. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. For your safety and enjoyment, you'll want to pack extra clothing layers, at least 2 liters of water, plenty of food, and the 10 essentials of survival gear. That is just how I have chosen to eat right now for various reasons, which I will get into later. Check the forecast and pick a peak and route accordingly. Mountaineering Resources. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,781 times. I use this undershirt.Then add a light insulation layer, like a polyester pull-over or light jacket. Your 14er Training Plan. Winter 14ers are not easy, but the solitude they provide is well worth the effort. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Checking the weather becomes even more important in the winter. For conditions in-between, microspikes provide grip without being as aggressive as crampons. A lot of people chose to do Grays and Torreys together - I'd say don't be too ambitious on your first 14er. First, you should look up the current avalanche report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. But it isn't a walk in the park! A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). Be sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. I use something very similar to this jacket. The advice in this article is dangerous because every mountain is different, especially mountains of this size. How to Climb a 14er while eating low sugar and no nuts…What! You should also consider bringing a GPS navigation unit with you, in addition to maps. However, nothing is ever as simple as it seems in the winter. In preparing to tackle a 14er, aim to work out at least five days per week, with at least one day of active rest that includes light walking or a stretching/foam-rolling session. There is a large deal of variation for elevation gain and mileage when climbing 14ers. Check for conditions and be ready for snow and ice with the right gear. A weather radio will be useful to check the weather that morning if you decide to do this. Activity location Finkel & Garf Brewing Company Get directions More directions and information. You may need to know a LOT that isn't discussed here in order to safely climb a big mountain, such as how to protect yourself with rope, harness, climbing gear, anchors etc. However if you’re not looking to buy something, visit the Summitpost page on Winter 14ers here. The Denver/Boulder/Golden metro area is a great place to get used to … Going straight from Denver to above 14,000 feet is a lot to ask of your body, even if you live here. Enjoy This Post? Make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated! Ideally, this will be a training hike. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. CO 14er FAQ: This list of FAQ’s put together by the legendary climber Alan Arnette includes great information and answers to many of the most common questions people have about how to climb a 14er. Here's how to prepare your body for the grueling task of climbing a 14,000-plus-foot peak. The majority of visitors arrive through Denver International Airport – flights from the UK take about 10 hours direct, but you may find it cheaper to fly with a change. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. Here are the proper steps to minimize the existing risk. Class 2 includes a wide range of hiking and a route may have exposure, loose rock … Anytime the risk is higher than Moderate, you probably want to stay home, unless you have more experience or training. Bring along maps and GPS to navigate in the snow. Neither is a replacement for the other, but in whiteout conditions they may be the best way to safely get down the mountain. Do not push yourself too hard. Most 14er’s that can be climbed in one day don’t require exten­sive food pack­ing, how­ev­er, a nice lunch makes a climb a lot more fun and keeps ener­gy lev­els high. Part 3: Going on your Climb. Go into the climbs with this mindset, and it will be easier to adjust things if you come to it. However most peaks involve around twice that (10 miles and 4,000 feet of gain). 14er Beginner Online Course. Peak bagging is a total-body experience, as you'll need cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and strength in your legs and core to carry your body and gear to the top. Take many short rests and breathe steadily. I recommend using https://www.mountain-forecast.com/. Food and drinks available for purchase! The second easiest way to to increase your lung capacity - while also building muscle and getting in a great workout - is to find your nearest steep trail and spend ample time going up and down it at a great clip, preferably with a full backpack. This is not a formula for summit success — and could even put you in danger. Zip-offs, or shorts under long pants are a great way to keep cool while hiking and stay warm at the top. Most trails become snow-covered for all or most of their length, making route-finding extremely difficult. Bring extra water and leave it in your vehicle to drink on the drive home. When that’s not possible, see if you can bring along someone who has been on the route before. Be prepared and bring appropriate gear. If you are really new, take a course through your local club, REI, EMS other other organization. Plus, the view from the top is great. 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. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Depending on where you are in your fitness, getting in shape to climb a 14er can take up to 6 months. Climbing a 14er is an adventure accessible to many people. Grays, by itself, is a good climb. {"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":"