how to climb a 14er

By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. Anytime the risk is higher than Moderate, you probably want to stay home, unless you have more experience or training. For our purposes, you probably want to climb one of the easiest ranked mountains. How To Climb a 14er: The Beginner's Guide | The Next Summit. Climbing a 14er is an adventure accessible to many people. Be prepared and bring appropriate gear. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Always turn back if you are concerned about the level of risk – the mountain will be there next year. BEFORE YOU LEAVE, decide on an turn-around time, based on weather reports and sunset. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do short heights and activities in the surrounding areas. Click the links below for route info on each…. A: Some ideas: Torreys/Grays - … And you”ll want to bring solid gloves, hat, facemask and goggles. This helps is evaporate, preventing wet clothes (which would get cold, fast). I use this undershirt.Then add a light insulation layer, like a polyester pull-over or light jacket. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. Activity location Finkel & Garf Brewing Company Get directions More directions and information. Keep these tips in mind whether you’re preparing for your first 14er or just tagging another. You should be ready to cancel or change plans at a moment’s notice. 14er Beginner Online Course. He created The Next Summit to share advice, stories, history & reflections from the Colorado Rockies & Sierra Nevada. Here’s an overview of how to plan, pack and prepare for your trip! 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. Thankfully the risk is low on these beginner peaks, but it is not non-existent. Go on a short training hike a day or two before climbing a 14er and drink plenty of water. They can be incredibly helpful if you go off-route or come across someone else in need. If you are experienced but want to go higher or harder, link up with an experienced party or buddy. Even when avalanche risk ratings are low, you should remain on guard. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. Neither is a replacement for the other, but in whiteout conditions they may be the best way to safely get down the mountain. It’s the only real way to gain skill at assessing avalanche terrain. However most peaks involve around twice that (10 miles and 4,000 feet of gain). 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. Wind can also be a significant factor, impacting avy conditions or even causing whiteout conditions when there is no falling snow. It’s bitterly cold, the wind is howling, and the snow is up to your knees. In fact many people climb because of the challenge – we relish it! If you appreciate my work, consider becoming a Patron with a small monthly gift. This article has been viewed 73,781 times. Each of these routes is relatively short, contains very little avalanche risk, and have generally accessible trailheads. Have the proper gear for snow and ice trail conditions. But it isn't a walk in the park! Winter weather is generally more fickle than the summer. A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). Look for other evidence of recent avalanche activity – if you see slide paths have run, it suggests others could too. There’s a few steep sections, but for the most part it’s a gentle climb. Elbert, CO (14,433'). If you are really new, take a course through your local club, REI, EMS other other organization. You will want to wear gaiters in any winter conditions, to keep ice and snow out of your socks and boots. They give daily updates on avalanche risk in various parts of the state. If you plan to drive after the hike, be sure you are not tired and can remain alert! 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. Learn more... A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). 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. According to the USGS there are 59 “named points” in the state of Colorado that reach14,000 feet or more. Check the Weather forecast repeatedly and plan accordingly. Pack light but be sure you have all essentials. Instead of wearing one or two very heavy coats, layers let you add or shed clothing to adjust to changing temperature conditions. While I don’t live in Colorado I do live close enough and have climbed enough 14ers to know what … There are many places to look – the best sources are guide books (I recommend Gerry Roach’s classic 14er book). 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. Each of Colorado’s 54 mountain peaks above 14,000 feet is graded based on how difficult it is to make the ascent. Features; Climbing a 14er With Kids. 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. Thank you for visiting! How To Climb Your First 14er; Have you ever climbed a 14er? Here's how to prepare your body for the grueling task of climbing a 14,000-plus-foot peak. Depending on where you are in your fitness, getting in shape to climb a 14er can take up to 6 months. Learn more about the risks here. Assess Avalanche conditions and be ready to turn around. It is best to additionally wear a brimmed hat and long sleeves. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. At high altitudes (above 10,000ft), there is less oxygen. Start and summit as early as possible as thunderstorms are more likely to occur later in the day (typically 1-4pm). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. NEVER continue towards the summit after your predetermined turnaround time. Ok, so before I get into everything…I am not suggesting you eat only low sugar foods and no nuts. There is a large deal of variation for elevation gain and mileage when climbing 14ers. It’s 7 miles round trip and you’ll climb 2,850 feet in elevation. For most winter 14ers, those layers should cut it. Arrive at your base camp/area a couple of days in advance. Experts encourage newcomers to train for two to four months to build up their cardiovascular endurance, core and leg strength, and flexibility. Weather in the mountains can change very rapidly. Wear the right clothing layers to stay warm. Part 2: Packing for your Climb. Snow and ice are the most obvious challenges of winter 14er climbing. Although many 14ers can be climbed in one day, it is important to have a basic understanding of survival techniques and always BE PREPARED. Part 1: Preparing for your Climb. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Bring along maps and GPS to navigate in the snow. Join The Next Summit Newsletter to get advice, news & stories! 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. I created The Next Summit to share stories, advice, history and reflections about America’s Mountain Ranges! % of people told us that this article helped them. {"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":"