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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Anytime you’re on more than ten inches of snow, on slopes between 35 and 35 degrees, there’s a chance of a slide. Class 2 includes a wide range of hiking and a route may have exposure, loose rock … It’s bitterly cold, the wind is howling, and the snow is up to your knees. Instead of wearing one or two very heavy coats, layers let you add or shed clothing to adjust to changing temperature conditions. Lastly, add a shell exterior jacket that is rain and wind proof, to keep the elements out! My name is Alex Derr. Check the forecast and pick a peak and route accordingly. You first need to choice a 14er to climb. Copyright 2019 - 2020 The Next Summit | All Rights Reserved, How to Climb a 14er in Winter | Tips for Safe Ascents. While these can occur at any time, they are most prevalent between 1 and 4pm. You probably don’t need a helmet, or ice axe. Go on a short training hike a day or two before climbing a 14er and drink plenty of water. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. Thankfully the risk is low on these beginner peaks, but it is not non-existent. You will want to wear gaiters in any winter conditions, to keep ice and snow out of your socks and boots. Part 4: Planning for the Worst. However most peaks involve around twice that (10 miles and 4,000 feet of gain). Pack light but be sure you have all essentials. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. Intro by Kristen Bor / Article by Ben and Jenna Thomas. This is very important on a mountain, where the temperature may change 15-25 degrees from trailhead to summit. 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. In a perfect world, I wouldn’t climb difficult 14ers in the winter until I’ve first gone on the route during the summer. 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. 14er Beginner Online Course. Now you know how to climb a 14er in October! Winter 14ers are not easy, but the solitude they provide is well worth the effort. 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. 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. While it may sound pretty horrible, there are many good reasons to climb the 14ers in this time of year. Abort the climb if hazardous conditions arise. Wear the right clothing layers to stay warm. Weather in the mountains can change very rapidly. It can make a huge difference. There is a large deal of variation for elevation gain and mileage when climbing 14ers. If you begin to feel tired above tree line, consider turning back. Whoever invented the idea of layered clothing, was a genius. This article has been viewed 73,781 times. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Check the Weather forecast repeatedly and plan accordingly. A: Go climb a mountain! 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. 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. For most winter 14ers, those layers should cut it. You should also consider bringing a GPS navigation unit with you, in addition to maps. 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. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Third, wear a puffy-style insulating jacket, or something equivalent, as your main insulation layer. Join The Next Summit Newsletter to get advice, news & stories! At high altitudes (above 10,000ft), there is less oxygen. 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. You should always bring one extra layer, or an emergency bivy to use if you have to spend a night outdoors unplanned. For these starter peaks, more advanced snow and ice climbing isn’t necessary. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. This helps is evaporate, preventing wet clothes (which would get cold, fast). Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks in the snow, or a “wallop” sound. By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. Click the links below for route info on each…. However if you’re not looking to buy something, visit the Summitpost page on Winter 14ers here. Here's how to prepare your body for the grueling task of climbing a 14,000-plus-foot peak. Part 2: Packing for your Climb. You should plan for the forecast, but always be prepared for temperatures up to 10 degrees warmer or colder than predicted. Experts encourage newcomers to train for two to four months to build up their cardiovascular endurance, core and leg strength, and flexibility. Some people are tempted to save energy on their Colorado 14er climb by packing ultralight. Ok, so before I get into everything…I am not suggesting you eat only low sugar foods and no nuts. I would not recommend doing any other peaks than these for your first 14er in winter conditions unless you have someone experienced with you. 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 … Elbert is the highest of Colorado’s 14er, reaching 14,433 feet. Assess Avalanche conditions and be ready to turn around. Whitney (14,491') in California. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. According to the USGS there are 59 “named points” in the state of Colorado that reach14,000 feet or more. One of the less obvious challenges of winter 14ers is navigating. 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. A 14er is a mountain with a summit above (4267m). Depending on where you are from, it will be harder to breathe. Learn more... A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). How To Climb Your First 14er; Have you ever climbed a 14er? Neither is a replacement for the other, but in whiteout conditions they may be the best way to safely get down the mountain. There’s a few steep sections, but for the most part it’s a gentle climb. And it’s still a very do-able 14er to start with too. The 14ers are much more dangerous in the winter. You must be able to navigate blind (that is, without any visual aids like landmarks or trail markers). When not climbing, he is managing the Communications strategy at Visible Network Labs. Grays, by itself, is a good climb. Zip-offs, or shorts under long pants are a great way to keep cool while hiking and stay warm at the top. If you plan to do this more than once, you really should take an Avalanche Class. 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. Have the proper gear for snow and ice trail conditions. 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. Checking the weather becomes even more important in the winter. Here’s an overview of how to plan, pack and prepare for your trip! For conditions in-between, microspikes provide grip without being as aggressive as crampons. Here are the proper steps to minimize the existing risk. While I don’t live in Colorado I do live close enough and have climbed enough 14ers to know what … 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. NEVER continue towards the summit after your predetermined turnaround time. Climbing a 14er is an adventure accessible to many people. It’s the only real way to gain skill at assessing avalanche terrain. 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. Look for other evidence of recent avalanche activity – if you see slide paths have run, it suggests others could too. 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. The Denver/Boulder/Golden metro area is a great place to get used to … Take extra care preparing if you're new to winter conditions, and bring someone experienced. Plus, the view from the top is great. Start and summit as early as possible as thunderstorms are more likely to occur later in the day (typically 1-4pm). First, you should look up the current avalanche report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The advice in this article is dangerous because every mountain is different, especially mountains of this size. How to Climb a 14er while eating low sugar and no nuts…What! Arrive at your base camp/area a couple of days in advance. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do short heights and activities in the surrounding areas. The most difficult include up to 20 miles or more with 6,000-7,000 feet of gain. Finding a base. Take many short rests and breathe steadily. In fact many people climb because of the challenge – we relish it! Snow and ice are the most obvious challenges of winter 14er climbing. Check for conditions and be ready for snow and ice with the right gear. Rainier, WA (14,410'); and Mt. Each of Colorado’s 54 mountain peaks above 14,000 feet is graded based on how difficult it is to make the ascent. 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. Wind can also be a significant factor, impacting avy conditions or even causing whiteout conditions when there is no falling snow. The mountain will be there tomorrow. Keep these tips in mind whether you’re preparing for your first 14er or just tagging another. “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 . If you plan to drive after the hike, be sure you are not tired and can remain alert! Do not push yourself too hard. If you are experienced but want to go higher or harder, link up with an experienced party or buddy.
Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 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. Summiting a 14er can take up to 10 hours of hiking in some cases. Things change fast so you need to be ready for anything. A weather radio will be useful to check the weather that morning if you decide to do this. Enjoy This Post? Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. I use this undershirt.Then add a light insulation layer, like a polyester pull-over or light jacket. Remember that it can be 70 degrees at the trailhead but windy below freezing at the top. Find more classes. Anytime the risk is higher than Moderate, you probably want to stay home, unless you have more experience or training. If you are really new, take a course through your local club, REI, EMS other other organization. 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. Q: Any suggestions for a first 14er close to Denver? You shouldn’t have any skin left exposed. These are the joys of winter 14ers in Colorado. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. Whitney (14,491') in California. Your biggest tool, in the beginning, is patience. How to Climb a 14er: The Complete Beginner's Course. 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. Take your family to new heights while attempting a quintessential Colorado adventure. % of people told us that this article helped them. A: Some ideas: Torreys/Grays - … It’s 7 miles round trip and you’ll climb 2,850 feet in elevation. In fact many people climb because of the challenge – we relish it! wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Part 5: Practicing Leave No Trace. Be sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. A lot of people chose to do Grays and Torreys together - I'd say don't be too ambitious on your first 14er.
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