how to climb a 14er

It’s bitterly cold, the wind is howling, and the snow is up to your knees. The trail is very straightforward and it's a short climb up. It can make a huge difference. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Depending on where you are from, it will be harder to breathe. At high altitudes (above 10,000ft), there is less oxygen. There are far less people, providing ideal solitude experiences. (See more tips on planning these below.) There is less atmosphere to block UV rays at 14,000' and you will burn much more easily. I would not recommend doing any other peaks than these for your first 14er in winter conditions unless you have someone experienced with you. While these can occur at any time, they are most prevalent between 1 and 4pm. Zip-offs, or shorts under long pants are a great way to keep cool while hiking and stay warm at the top. 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". For these starter peaks, more advanced snow and ice climbing isn’t necessary. You first need to choice a 14er to climb. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A: Some ideas: Torreys/Grays - … Checking the weather becomes even more important in the winter. 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. 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. Anytime the risk is higher than Moderate, you probably want to stay home, unless you have more experience or training. It is best to additionally wear a brimmed hat and long sleeves. Q: Any suggestions for a first 14er close to Denver? Four Great 14ers for your first Overnight Climb! They provide a good breakdown on the mountains and rank them by difficulty. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do short heights and activities in the surrounding areas. Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks in the snow, or a “wallop” sound. This is not a formula for summit success — and could even put you in danger. ; 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. 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. Instead of wearing one or two very heavy coats, layers let you add or shed clothing to adjust to changing temperature conditions.

Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. % of people told us that this article helped them. Even when avalanche risk ratings are low, you should remain on guard. 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. 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. Craggy summit in sight, my exhausted seven-year-old son collapsed on a gray rock and rested his head in his hands. Plus, the view from the top is great. But it could also be hard as ice, requiring an ice axe and full crampons. Quandary Peak; Just south of Breckenridge, Quandary is very accessible and a relatively easy climb. 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. Go on a short training hike a day or two before climbing a 14er and drink plenty of water. 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 are many great mountains in Colorado that require very little or no technical climbing and can easily be completed in a single day. If you can spend the night at the trailhead, that will help to acclimate you and will eliminate driving the day of your ascent. 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. Not fun, trust me. However, given the many risks, you have to know a few things to hike a 14er in the winter safely. If you’re feeling ambitious, Mt. 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. Enjoy This Post? In fact many people climb because of the challenge – we relish it! They give daily updates on avalanche risk in various parts of the state. And you”ll want to bring solid gloves, hat, facemask and goggles. By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. The Denver/Boulder/Golden metro area is a great place to get used to … 14er Beginner Online Course. 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. Be sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. Find more classes. Check for conditions and be ready for snow and ice with the right gear. Whitney (14,491') in California. Go into the climbs with this mindset, and it will be easier to adjust things if you come to it. Here are the proper steps to minimize the existing risk. Elbert is the highest of Colorado’s 14er, reaching 14,433 feet. Here’s an overview of how to plan, pack and prepare for your trip! Rainier, WA (14,410'); and Mt. Neither is a replacement for the other, but in whiteout conditions they may be the best way to safely get down the mountain. However, if you already have them, you might as well bring them. There is a large deal of variation for elevation gain and mileage when climbing 14ers. Part 1: Preparing for your Climb. You must be able to navigate blind (that is, without any visual aids like landmarks or trail markers). You should also consider bringing a GPS navigation unit with you, in addition to maps. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You need to consider the weather on the day of the climb, but also the days leading up to it, to consider snow conditions. Make sure your water doesn’t freeze, and that you can get more in an emergency. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Elbert, CO (14,433'). Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. How to Prepare for your First Fourteener. 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. A 14er is a mountain with a summit above (4267m). Wear the right clothing layers to stay warm. These are the joys of winter 14ers in Colorado. Finally, the temperature forecast should drive your packing decisions. By using our site, you agree to our. Going straight from Denver to above 14,000 feet is a lot to ask of your body, even if you live here. A: Go climb a mountain! 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 … Activity location Finkel & Garf Brewing Company Get directions More directions and information. Click the links below for route info on each…. The advice in this article is dangerous because every mountain is different, especially mountains of this size. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 73,781 times. Start and summit as early as possible as thunderstorms are more likely to occur later in the day (typically 1-4pm). All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. BEFORE YOU LEAVE, decide on an turn-around time, based on weather reports and sunset. While it may sound pretty horrible, there are many good reasons to climb the 14ers in this time of year. 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. While I don’t live in Colorado I do live close enough and have climbed enough 14ers to know what … When not climbing, he is managing the Communications strategy at Visible Network Labs. 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. In a perfect world, I wouldn’t climb difficult 14ers in the winter until I’ve first gone on the route during the summer. Anytime you’re on more than ten inches of snow, on slopes between 35 and 35 degrees, there’s a chance of a slide. You probably don’t need a helmet, or ice axe. They can be incredibly helpful if you go off-route or come across someone else in need. Remember that it can be 70 degrees at the trailhead but windy below freezing at the top. Class 2 includes a wide range of hiking and a route may have exposure, loose rock … Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. Pack high-ener­gy foods like PB & J sand­wich­es, ener­gy bars, dried fruit, and can­dy bars. Read up on and be aware of High Altitude Sickness symptoms and remedies. {"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":"