News
ENLARGE
Looking to hike your first 14er?
Your timing couldn't have been better to stumble across this article.
It's time to try one — it might just lead to a whole new obsession.
“People talk about it and you think, ‘I gotta go do that,'” said Avon mountaineer Evan Johnson. “Then after you climb a couple, you're like, ‘How could I not do this?' There's nothing like the feeling of just standing at the top of one of the highest peaks in the continental U.S., and seeing for miles around.”
SUMMIT WITH SOMEONE
According to Johnson, one of the best ways to start is to go with more experienced hikers. He said he began hiking “14ers,” or peaks with an elevation higher than 14,000 feet, last summer with a group of ski mountaineers.
The group climbed Snowmass in Aspen, hiking up and skiing down — it didn't take Johnson long to get hooked.
“I was really nervous the whole time because I'd never hiked with skis, and I'd just started skiing a few months before,” he said. “Also, there were some sticky situations I wasn't used to, like when we were scrambling over dirt, or climbing over boulders bigger than me, but it ended up being one of the best experiences.”
In fact, Kim Siedlaczek of Edwards said she has met some of her closest friends while hiking 14ers.
“I've taken people of all abilities, and it's a great way to get to know someone,” she said.
GET PACKING
Eric Alexander, an Eagle-Vail based climber who has summited mountains around the world, said one of the most common mistakes is going out on a hike unprepared. Even the most in-shape of hikers can get into trouble on an excursion without proper equipment or without being sure of their route, he said.
Water and extra water is always an essential, as well as a good pair of hiking boots, he said.
On a day hike or other short trip, his “10 essential items” include a map, compass, headlamp, food, extra layer, sunglasses, first-aid kit, knife, lighter or matches and a fire-starter (such as a cotton-ball soaked in Vaseline). As extras, he also packs a small 99-cent poncho, a reflective blanket the size of a deck of cards, a hat, light-weight glove liners, and iodine tabs for water purification.
Johnson finds it better to over pack than under pack, and to make sure to bring clothes for every kind of weather.
“It's Colorado, so you can expect any kind of conditions,” he said.
BE PREPARED
If ascending a peak sounds daunting, most hikers will assure you that anyone can do it.
“If you live in Grand Junction go hit (Mount) Garfield with a 20-pound pack to get a good idea of the challenge ahead. The Liberty Cap trail is another good steep trail to get you ready for a 14er,” said Eric Wilson, of Grand Junction, who's done four Colorado 14ers.
Wilson also recommends acclimating to high elevations.
“I like to go camp the weekend before over 10,000 feet and spend the night before the hike as high up as I can,” Wilson said.
And don't think about sleeping in on the morning of the hike.
“Start your hike early to avoid the mid-afternoon lightning,” Wilson said.
“If you start early and on a good day, anyone can do it,” Siedlazcek said. “With any hike, it's one step at a time. I know it can look intimidating because it's a big mountain, but the truth is that your body can accomplish more than you realize.”
Aside from being mentally and physically prepared, experienced hikers will tell you that you should know your route. Guidebooks and fourteener websites (try www.14ers.com) can give you detailed descriptions, conditions and class ratings for the peaks. Peaks are classified class I (being the easiest) through class V (being the most technical or difficult).
Johnson said it's also important to check the weather the day before and the morning that you leave. If there's a chance of storms later in the day, plan to be off the mountain before the afternoon, even if it means not summiting, Johnson said.
Regardless of the route, the peak or how long it takes to summit, mountaineers will tell you that it's all about the challenge.
“Fourteeners can get you out in a variety of ways, whether it's pushing your boundaries, challenging you physically or as a way to meet other people,” Alexander said. “I really encourage anyone who's interested to just go out and try it.”
— Free Press contributed to this report
Your timing couldn't have been better to stumble across this article.
It's time to try one — it might just lead to a whole new obsession.
“People talk about it and you think, ‘I gotta go do that,'” said Avon mountaineer Evan Johnson. “Then after you climb a couple, you're like, ‘How could I not do this?' There's nothing like the feeling of just standing at the top of one of the highest peaks in the continental U.S., and seeing for miles around.”
SUMMIT WITH SOMEONE
According to Johnson, one of the best ways to start is to go with more experienced hikers. He said he began hiking “14ers,” or peaks with an elevation higher than 14,000 feet, last summer with a group of ski mountaineers.
The group climbed Snowmass in Aspen, hiking up and skiing down — it didn't take Johnson long to get hooked.
“I was really nervous the whole time because I'd never hiked with skis, and I'd just started skiing a few months before,” he said. “Also, there were some sticky situations I wasn't used to, like when we were scrambling over dirt, or climbing over boulders bigger than me, but it ended up being one of the best experiences.”
In fact, Kim Siedlaczek of Edwards said she has met some of her closest friends while hiking 14ers.
“I've taken people of all abilities, and it's a great way to get to know someone,” she said.
GET PACKING
Eric Alexander, an Eagle-Vail based climber who has summited mountains around the world, said one of the most common mistakes is going out on a hike unprepared. Even the most in-shape of hikers can get into trouble on an excursion without proper equipment or without being sure of their route, he said.
Water and extra water is always an essential, as well as a good pair of hiking boots, he said.
On a day hike or other short trip, his “10 essential items” include a map, compass, headlamp, food, extra layer, sunglasses, first-aid kit, knife, lighter or matches and a fire-starter (such as a cotton-ball soaked in Vaseline). As extras, he also packs a small 99-cent poncho, a reflective blanket the size of a deck of cards, a hat, light-weight glove liners, and iodine tabs for water purification.
Johnson finds it better to over pack than under pack, and to make sure to bring clothes for every kind of weather.
“It's Colorado, so you can expect any kind of conditions,” he said.
BE PREPARED
If ascending a peak sounds daunting, most hikers will assure you that anyone can do it.
“If you live in Grand Junction go hit (Mount) Garfield with a 20-pound pack to get a good idea of the challenge ahead. The Liberty Cap trail is another good steep trail to get you ready for a 14er,” said Eric Wilson, of Grand Junction, who's done four Colorado 14ers.
Wilson also recommends acclimating to high elevations.
“I like to go camp the weekend before over 10,000 feet and spend the night before the hike as high up as I can,” Wilson said.
And don't think about sleeping in on the morning of the hike.
“Start your hike early to avoid the mid-afternoon lightning,” Wilson said.
“If you start early and on a good day, anyone can do it,” Siedlazcek said. “With any hike, it's one step at a time. I know it can look intimidating because it's a big mountain, but the truth is that your body can accomplish more than you realize.”
Aside from being mentally and physically prepared, experienced hikers will tell you that you should know your route. Guidebooks and fourteener websites (try www.14ers.com) can give you detailed descriptions, conditions and class ratings for the peaks. Peaks are classified class I (being the easiest) through class V (being the most technical or difficult).
Johnson said it's also important to check the weather the day before and the morning that you leave. If there's a chance of storms later in the day, plan to be off the mountain before the afternoon, even if it means not summiting, Johnson said.
Regardless of the route, the peak or how long it takes to summit, mountaineers will tell you that it's all about the challenge.
“Fourteeners can get you out in a variety of ways, whether it's pushing your boundaries, challenging you physically or as a way to meet other people,” Alexander said. “I really encourage anyone who's interested to just go out and try it.”
— Free Press contributed to this report
BEGINNER'S TIPS
• Start early, not only so you have time to make the trip, but also to avoid afternoon storms.
• Bring an experienced friend and stay together. • Know the weather and route before you hit the trail. • Pack light, but bring the 10 essentials: Map, compass, headlamp, food/water, extra layer, sunglasses, first-aid kit, knife, lighter/matches and fire-starter (a cotton-ball soaked in Vaseline works great). • Always leave a detailed description of your plan with someone at home. • Oh, it doesn't hurt to purchase a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card — $3 for one year; $12 for five years. For the cost of the card, you will ensure that trained and well-equipped search and rescue teams will respond should you become lost or in need of rescue. Furthermore, volunteers will not have to incur undue expense due to your emergency. |
