Grays Peak (14,270ft) and Torreys Peak (14,267ft) are often climbed as a pair and are an excellent choice for those short on time thanks to their well-travelled trails and close proximity to Colorado’s largest city, Denver (about an hour away).
Eat a solid breakfast and snack frequently (many experts say every hour). I found it much easier to have a good breakfast at basecamp than to try and snack my way up. Take your time, sit down and take frequent breaks to adjust and enjoy the scenery. When planning your first attempt to summit a 14er, I would advise planning for mountains with specific traits. The 14ers website can give you more information relative to the mountain of your choice (only one 14er, Culebra Peak, is on private land and requires a fee to hike).

See our privacy policy for details on how we manage your data. Be sure to use at least two sources: a few examples include Mountain Forecast and Weather.com. That said, any reasonably fit individual with a love of hiking should be able to enjoy a day on the 14ers. Your biggest tool, in the beginning, is patience. The hikes in the book are detailed with maps, GPS descriptions and accurate driving directions. Don’t commit yourself to climb that mountain and making it through to a remote destination. Usually avalanches are not a significant problem in October… however, that isn’t always the case. If you rely on your endurance alone, you’ll likely tire out very quickly, or at least wake up the next day very sore. Class 2 includes a wide range of hiking and a route may have exposure, loose rock and steep scree, while Class 3 requires crambling or un-roped climbing. Some are renowned for their scrambling, others for their mining ruins and still others for aeroplane wrecks. Quandary Peak (14,265ft) and Mount Sherman (14,036ft) are two of the least difficult summits that are about a two-hour drive from the Denver area.

Drink plenty of water, eat water-rich foods (think fruits and veggies), and don’t drink alcohol the day before your big hike (yes, even one strong beer at altitude can make a big difference).

Synthetic fleece is more breathable than cotton and will help you keep dry and warm. If you’re looking for an amazing hike, lots of wildlife and views you will never forget, Quandary is a great first summit. Even a small slide can take you off your feet and toss you over dangerous rocks or cliffs.

To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Make sure everything you’re researching is as current as can be – every season can bring new terrain, trail closures and massive changes to these mountains. Colorado boasts 58 of these prestigious peaks, or more than 80 percent of the 14ers in the contiguous United States. How Many Fourteeners Are In Colorado: 53 or 58? Skies can be blue and next thing you know its a winter storm. Bring your water in nalgenes or other wide-rim bottles, or bring an insulated water bottle. Thanks. Along with all these layers, you should bring very warm gloves, a hat, facemask and goggles, along with two layers of socks.

Whitney (14,491') in California. With the wind that is usually present above treeline, it is very easy to become hypothermic. There are many great mountains in Colorado that require very little or no technical climbing and can easily be completed in a single day.

Check 14ers.com to see if there are recent condition reports for your route and peak. Mount Bierstadt (14,060ft) has a tidy six-mile round trail and is also roughly an hour from Denver. Copyright 2012 - 2020 Avada | All Rights Reserved | Powered by, 14er Packing Checklist | The Complete Guide. If you really want to take it a step further, pack a cooler full of fresh fruit, tasty sandwiches, celebratory beers, and maybe some chocolate to leave in the car for the day.

Unless there is a large snowfall before you climb, you probably do not need snowshoes either. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.

Never try to eat snow – you will lose more energy than you gain.

While it may be hot and humid summer in the heart of Texas by early June, it could still be snowing up in the mountains. In your case, spending even just a minute or two a day visualizing yourself successfully navigating the challenging terrain, overcoming fatigue, and reaching the summit can help ensure that that actually happens. Note: hiking any mountain has inherent risk, including serious injury or death. Leave as early as you can! If you’ve submitted a Colorado 14er in the summer, you probably weren’t alone.

Even many of the “easiest” 14ers are six or seven miles round-trip. There are shops in both Denver and Boulder. Never climb above another climber and stick to the main routes where the rubble has been cleared. I consent to allow Wired for Adventure to collect my contact information (required) I’m a 40 something father of two girls who loves the mountains, still plays in the sand and enjoys being in the great outdoors. The burning radiation of high-altitude sunlight can quickly toast bare skin and scorch exposed eyeballs. The Class 3 (scrambling or unroped climbing) South Ridge Route is a strenuous exercise in navigation and determination. In the southwest, Red Cloud Peak (14,034ft) and Sunshine Peak (14,001ft) are a nice duo that can be hiked in a day and highlight the iron-rich, red rock that makes up many of the western mountains. Don’t tackle a 14er the first day you get to Aspen; practice exercising and sleeping at altitude. Things get colder and snowier, driving away crowds.

At 10,000ft (3,050m), it’s one of the highest towns in Colorado yet features modern lodging, stores and restaurants. on How to Climb a 14er in October Without Getting Rescued. If you are truly concerned about altitude sickness, there are prescription medicines, such as Diamox, that can help your body adapt – a good thing to know if you are short on time. Pikes Peak 14,110 FT. How to Climb a 14er: The Complete Beginner's Course. So you’re in great shape and feel good at elevation, but does the thought of staring up a 14,000+ foot tall peak give you anxiety?

Standard route length: Up to 10 miles round-trip On top of a Colorado 14er is NOT where you want to be when lightning is striking all around! If you can’t have a trail buddy be sure to use a two-way radio with someone who is staying back. How to train for a long hike? Training for a high peak should be motivation to get outside, have fun, and get even more fit in the process - it shouldn’t be about slaving away in the gym for hours every day. Warning: hiking a 14er or 13er may result in jaw-dropping views, a strong hunger that only plentiful snacks can satiate, and a lifelong addiction to summiting peaks. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together.

Make sure you have a balance of complex carbs (you actually burn more carbs at altitude, so don’t shy away from them on this day), healthy fats (this is what keeps your long-lasting energy burning so that you don’t feel like you’re constantly hitting a wall), and protein (this will help your muscles stay fresh and strong throughout the day). Remember, no matter what kind of training you opt to do to prepare for your hike, it’s all about enjoying the process! The community at the 14ers website has a wealth of information about each of the 14ers. But make no mistake: hiking a peak that tops out at almost three full miles above sea level is no cake walk.

It’s far better to turn around and stay safe than to risk your life for a summit shot. 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.

Hiking a 14er is a stressful proposition for many people regardless of fitness levels.

So when you climb your first Colorado 14er (or 58th, to be honest), it's important to start super early. Don’t forget that the days are extremely short during the winter and you should plan accordingly. Plus, what better excuse to daydream at work than picturing yourself on top of a jaw-droppingly beautiful mountain? If there is any snow or ice on the trail, consider bringing traction like microspikes and trekking poles to avoid slips and falls.
Layering your clothing is the key to staying warm, by trapping numerous pockets of warmer air around you. Make sure to spend ample time on rougher trails so that the stabilization muscles in your legs can build strength, and you can get a feel for what it will be like to spend hours on rough, uneven terrain. I would avoid making any plans where you are committed to summit a mountain in order to get to a destination other than your starting point.

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. If you plan to drive after the hike, be sure you are not tired and can remain alert! I start with a wicking base layer – think of something like under armor that is elastic and hugs your skin.

I created The Next Summit to share stories, advice, history and reflections about America’s Mountain Ranges! Make sure you pack plenty of water for the big day!


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