how to climb a 14er

In fact many people climb because of the challenge – we relish it! Winter 14ers are not easy, but the solitude they provide is well worth the effort. Learn more... A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). This article has been viewed 73,781 times. Here’s an overview of how to plan, pack and prepare for your trip! You probably don’t need a helmet, or ice axe. Enjoy This Post? If you begin to feel tired above tree line, consider turning back. A: Go climb a mountain! This only gets tougher in whiteout conditions, which can occur at pretty much anytime there is snow. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. 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. Class 2 includes a wide range of hiking and a route may have exposure, loose rock … How To Climb Your First 14er; Have you ever climbed a 14er? I created The Next Summit to share stories, advice, history and reflections about America’s Mountain Ranges! They provide a good breakdown on the mountains and rank them by difficulty. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. Hiking and climbing one of Colorado's 14er peaks is a thrill! Check the forecast and pick a peak and route accordingly. The trail is very straightforward and it's a short climb up. 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. That is just how I have chosen to eat right now for various reasons, which I will get into later. But it isn't a walk in the park! Bring along maps and GPS to navigate in the snow. I use something very similar to this jacket. ; how to climb in balance using specialized equipment like crampons and ice axes; how to avoid objective hazards like rockfall and avalanche; how to know when conditions are becoming dangerous, etc., etc. While it may sound pretty horrible, there are many good reasons to climb the 14ers in this time of year. Experts encourage newcomers to train for two to four months to build up their cardiovascular endurance, core and leg strength, and flexibility. Assess Avalanche conditions and be ready to turn around. If you plan to drive after the hike, be sure you are not tired and can remain alert! He is working to climb Colorado’s highest 100 peaks, and the 20 tallest peaks in California. When that’s not possible, see if you can bring along someone who has been on the route before. Ideally, this will be a training hike. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. 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. You will want to wear gaiters in any winter conditions, to keep ice and snow out of your socks and boots. There are far less people, providing ideal solitude experiences. But it could also be hard as ice, requiring an ice axe and full crampons. He created The Next Summit to share advice, stories, history & reflections from the Colorado Rockies & Sierra Nevada. How to climb a 14er. How to Prepare for your First Fourteener. Thankfully the risk is low on these beginner peaks, but it is not non-existent. 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. Make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated! % of people told us that this article helped them. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. BEFORE YOU LEAVE, decide on an turn-around time, based on weather reports and sunset. (See more tips on planning these below.) Whitney (14,491') in California. Four Great 14ers for your first Overnight Climb! People have died on even “easy” peaks in the winter in the past, so don’t get complacent. And you”ll want to bring solid gloves, hat, facemask and goggles. When not climbing, he is managing the Communications strategy at Visible Network Labs. 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. Finding a base. Elbert, CO (14,433'). Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do short heights and activities in the surrounding areas. A lot of people chose to do Grays and Torreys together - I'd say don't be too ambitious on your first 14er. However most peaks involve around twice that (10 miles and 4,000 feet of gain). Part 2: Packing for your Climb. Shorter routes may only be 5 miles round-trip with 2,000 or so feet of elevation gain. I use this undershirt.Then add a light insulation layer, like a polyester pull-over or light jacket. How to Climb a 14er ... Join us at Finkel & Garf Brewing Co. to learn the basics of climbing 14er's! Rainier, WA (14,410'); and Mt. Be sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Activity location Finkel & Garf Brewing Company Get directions More directions and information. Acclimate to Altitude. I would start with a pair of these from Kahtoola. Part 3: Going on your Climb. If you appreciate my work, consider becoming a Patron with a small monthly gift. However, given the many risks, you have to know a few things to hike a 14er in the winter safely. 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 … Check for conditions and be ready for snow and ice with the right gear. Go on a short training hike a day or two before climbing a 14er and drink plenty of water. While these can occur at any time, they are most prevalent between 1 and 4pm. Take your family to new heights while attempting a quintessential Colorado adventure. You should be ready to cancel or change plans at a moment’s notice. on How to Climb a 14er in Winter | Tips for Safe Ascents, RELATED READ: THE TEN ESSENTIALS FOR WINTER 14ERS, RELATED: "WHY SELF DOUBT CAN BE CRITICAL ON A CLIMB". Summiting a 14er can take up to 10 hours of hiking in some cases. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Wear proper attire (hiking boots or trail running shoes with good traction), layers including a water proof jacket and pack extra layers, hat, gloves, socks, etc. The snow also helps provide unlimited route options, while cushioning your steps. Learn more about the risks here. Even when avalanche risk ratings are low, you should remain on guard. Your biggest tool, in the beginning, is patience. In a perfect world, I wouldn’t climb difficult 14ers in the winter until I’ve first gone on the route during the summer. 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. Copyright 2019 - 2020 The Next Summit | All Rights Reserved, How to Climb a 14er in Winter | Tips for Safe Ascents. And it’s still a very do-able 14er to start with too. 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. 14er Fitness - How to Prep for Top-Notch Climb. Anytime you’re on more than ten inches of snow, on slopes between 35 and 35 degrees, there’s a chance of a slide. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I would not recommend doing any other peaks than these for your first 14er in winter conditions unless you have someone experienced with you. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. 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 … The 14ers are much more dangerous in the winter. You shouldn’t have any skin left exposed. Avoid being caught in open areas during a lightning storm! Don’t … Be prepared and bring appropriate gear. Thank you for visiting! One of the less obvious challenges of winter 14ers is navigating. Features; Climbing a 14er With Kids. 14er Beginner Online Course. Winter weather is generally more fickle than the summer. Part 5: Practicing Leave No Trace. There are many places to look – the best sources are guide books (I recommend Gerry Roach’s classic 14er book). 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. “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 . Each of these routes is relatively short, contains very little avalanche risk, and have generally accessible trailheads. A: Some ideas: Torreys/Grays - … There is a large deal of variation for elevation gain and mileage when climbing 14ers. You should always bring one extra layer, or an emergency bivy to use if you have to spend a night outdoors unplanned. There’s a few steep sections, but for the most part it’s a gentle climb. These are the joys of winter 14ers in Colorado. Finally, the temperature forecast should drive your packing decisions. This week I’m excited to share this guest post by Ben and Jenna Thomas – Colorado natives, photographers, and authors of international travel blog Wild Imagining.As experienced hikers, they share with us their best tips for preparing to trek up Colorado’s highest peaks. Avoid cotton, which does not wick away moisture effectively. 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. Beginner’s Guide to 14ers. If you are experienced but want to go higher or harder, link up with an experienced party or buddy. There are many great mountains in Colorado that require very little or no technical climbing and can easily be completed in a single day. In fact many people climb because of the challenge – we relish it! How to Climb a 14er: The Complete Beginner's Course. 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. Ok, so before I get into everything…I am not suggesting you eat only low sugar foods and no nuts. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Go into the climbs with this mindset, and it will be easier to adjust things if you come to it. The most difficult include up to 20 miles or more with 6,000-7,000 feet of gain. How to Climb a 14er while eating low sugar and no nuts…What! Nov 30, 2018 - Get cardio training tips and strength exercises to prepare you for a high-altitude hike or climb to the summit of a 14er mountain. 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. You must be able to navigate blind (that is, without any visual aids like landmarks or trail markers). A 14er is a mountain with a summit above (4267m). Climb a Lesser-Known Breckenridge 12er or 13er The ascent up Peak 8 in the summertime offers incredible views above treeline. Anytime the risk is higher than Moderate, you probably want to stay home, unless you have more experience or training. Not fun, trust me. This is very important on a mountain, where the temperature may change 15-25 degrees from trailhead to summit. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Snow and ice are the most obvious challenges of winter 14er climbing. This is not a formula for summit success — and could even put you in danger. 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. This helps is evaporate, preventing wet clothes (which would get cold, fast). You should also consider bringing a GPS navigation unit with you, in addition to maps. 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. The advice in this article is dangerous because every mountain is different, especially mountains of this size. Here's how to prepare your body for the grueling task of climbing a 14,000-plus-foot peak. This article has been viewed 73,781 times. Plus, the view from the top is great. For most winter 14ers, those layers should cut it. How to Climb a 14er on Jun 10, 2010 in Fort Collins, CO at REI - Fort Collins. First, you should look up the current avalanche report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Avoid alcohol and let your body adjust to the thin air. Check the Weather forecast repeatedly and plan accordingly. Most trails become snow-covered for all or most of their length, making route-finding extremely difficult. Grays, by itself, is a good climb. Keep these tips in mind whether you’re preparing for your first 14er or just tagging another. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,781 times. On the trail, be prepared to turn around earlier if weather, a medical condition, or water dictate. It’s 7 miles round trip and you’ll climb 2,850 feet in elevation. It’s bitterly cold, the wind is howling, and the snow is up to your knees. Going straight from Denver to above 14,000 feet is a lot to ask of your body, even if you live here. So when you climb your first Colorado 14er (or 58th, to be honest), it's important to start super early. Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks in the snow, or a “wallop” sound. Wind can also be a significant factor, impacting avy conditions or even causing whiteout conditions when there is no falling snow. Read up on and be aware of High Altitude Sickness symptoms and remedies. Take many short rests and breathe steadily. However if you’re not looking to buy something, visit the Summitpost page on Winter 14ers here. 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. At high altitudes (above 10,000ft), there is less oxygen. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Great Mountain Quotes | 30 of my Favoritees. Lastly, add a shell exterior jacket that is rain and wind proof, to keep the elements out! By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Always turn back if you are concerned about the level of risk – the mountain will be there next year. Neither is a replacement for the other, but in whiteout conditions they may be the best way to safely get down the mountain. Weather in the mountains can change very rapidly. 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. If you plan to do this more than once, you really should take an Avalanche Class. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Find more classes. 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. Climbing a 14er is an adventure accessible to many people. You should plan for the forecast, but always be prepared for temperatures up to 10 degrees warmer or colder than predicted. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). For our purposes, you probably want to climb one of the easiest ranked mountains. By using our site, you agree to our. If you have bad knees, hiking in the snow is far more comfortable than talus-hopping in the summer. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 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. Pack high-ener­gy foods like PB & J sand­wich­es, ener­gy bars, dried fruit, and can­dy bars. Click the links below for route info on each…. Mountaineering Resources. My name is Alex Derr. Things change fast so you need to be ready for anything. Make sure your water doesn’t freeze, and that you can get more in an emergency. Now you know how to climb a 14er in October! 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. Arrive at your base camp/area a couple of days in advance. 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. How To Climb a 14er: The Beginner's Guide | The Next Summit. The mountain will be there tomorrow. It can make a huge difference. Some people are tempted to save energy on their Colorado 14er climb by packing ultralight. Have the proper gear for snow and ice trail conditions. You first need to choice a 14er to climb. The Denver/Boulder/Golden metro area is a great place to get used to … Bring extra water and leave it in your vehicle to drink on the drive home. Your 14er Training Plan. {"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":"