Anyone thought about taking on the 14er challenge? There is a fair amount of wheeling involved in getting to some of those trailheads, and working toward the 14er goal would give me a reason to hit some less wheeled trails.
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Anyone thought about taking on the 14er challenge? There is a fair amount of wheeling involved in getting to some of those trailheads, and working toward the 14er goal would give me a reason to hit some less wheeled trails.
What isit Jared?
That is pretty cool. A goal to climb/hike all 54 of Colorado's 14k ft peaks. I have found that hiking and elevation don't work well for me, might be different once I quit smoking and get in better shape though. I am up for attempting one of the easier ones and seeing where it goes from there.
[QUOTE=Chris;226512]What isit Jared?[/QUOTE]
Climb every 14,000'+ peak in Colorado. A few even have roads to the top (i.e. Mt Evans and Pikes Peak). I am imagining that once I actually get started, then I am probably looking at several years to complete the challenge. Some of the peaks are apparently really tough climbs. As in you will need belaying equipment to reach the top.
Ah, I remember now. Yeah, I'm not ready for that!
After 45 years of smoking and numerous (100's?) of attempts I finally quit smoking Cliff. Next week will make 3 months which astounds me. I even treadmill a couple miles every day to help my old lungs keep working. Maybe in another year hiking will be in my plan.
[QUOTE=Brad;226477]I was surfing trail damage and just realized, I have barely touched the trails that are available in Colorado. I need to get out more![/QUOTE]
X2 Id love to extend my trail list, I just need to find more time...
[QUOTE=Chris;226531]Ah, I remember now. Yeah, I'm not ready for that!
After 45 years of smoking and numerous (100's?) of attempts I finally quit smoking Cliff. Next week will make 3 months which astounds me. I even treadmill a couple miles every day to help my old lungs keep working. Maybe in another year hiking will be in my plan.[/QUOTE]
As of may 1st its been 10 years.... Stop smoking at 2 packs a day
So for my 55th B day I gave myself a climb up Mt Sherman.....
[QUOTE=offroadwonder;226511]Anyone thought about taking on the 14er challenge? There is a fair amount of wheeling involved in getting to some of those trailheads, and working toward the 14er goal would give me a reason to hit some less wheeled trails.[/QUOTE]
After close to 50 years of being " rode hard & stored wet" my brain is screamin
Let do this......
My body's sayin "" REALY dude,,,, think about it .....
Haha, well no reason to start with the crazy peaks. I haven't put a ton of research into it yet, but I bet there are many that have roads to within 1000' elevation of the peak.
[QUOTE=Chris;226531]Ah, I remember now. Yeah, I'm not ready for that!
After 45 years of smoking and numerous (100's?) of attempts I finally quit smoking Cliff. Next week will make 3 months which astounds me. I even treadmill a couple miles every day to help my old lungs keep working. Maybe in another year hiking will be in my plan.[/QUOTE]
that's awesome!!! :thumb: And impressive. Congratulations, 3 months is no joke.
Maybe I'll just go or the "flat fourteeners" that the grade schoolers do!
[QUOTE=offroadwonder;226585]Haha, well no reason to start with the crazy peaks. I haven't put a ton of research into it yet, but I bet there are many that have roads to within 1000' elevation of the peak.[/QUOTE]
Chief Mountain off Mt. Evans rd is a popular training hike for 14ers. It's a 13er, I guess, but it's close to Denver and can give you a feel for hiking that high up. Plus it's gorgeous. Square Top Lakes is up there too, it's another good one that isn't quite a 14er.
Chief mountain was the 1 hike we went on last year. Beautiful views, short hike. We had to take one breather on the way up, were good on way down. Had my Rotty Chief with us on his first hiking trip. He was so tired he barely moved for 3 days afterward. Come to think of it...we were smoking cigars that day. I still have the hiking flyers from that area.
Ive hiked a ton of 14ers my only warning is [U][B]DON'T[/B][/U] hike Grizzly Peak its like 13,995ft and it's an alternate route to Torreys peak. It's something like at 4 out of 5 star hike I believe and it's not even technically a 14er. I hiked it when I was around 9 it was terrible! If you want any easy hike I would start with Mt. Bierstadt easy hike and you can drive most of the way up, the only down side is when I went there were a ton of people many of whom thought being loud was okay. Just don't ever hike Grizzly Peak it may have been worse cause it was my first real hike but still don't do it!
[QUOTE=offroadwonder;226585]Haha, well no reason to start with the crazy peaks. I haven't put a ton of research into it yet, but I bet there are many that have roads to within 1000' elevation of the peak.[/QUOTE]
Body dont wana work above 12k
Close youre eyes,,, think....
1000 feet of steep, stares with loose carpet
And no air !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[QUOTE=dscowell;226592]Ive hiked a ton of 14ers my only warning is [U][B]DON'T[/B][/U] hike Grizzly Peak its like 13,995ft and it's an alternate route to Torreys peak. It's something like at 4 out of 5 star hike I believe and it's not even technically a 14er. I hiked it when I was around 9 it was terrible! If you want any easy hike I would start with Mt. Bierstadt easy hike and you can drive most of the way up, the only down side is when I went there were a ton of people many of whom thought being loud was okay. Just don't ever hike Grizzly Peak it may have been worse cause it was my first real hike but still don't do it![/QUOTE]
My first was Centennial Peak (13,300'-ish) when I was around the same age. And my memory of it was just like yours... TERRIBLE! Then I hiked it again last year with my dad and it was nothing like I remembered. It was beautiful (maybe a little scary), and I can't wait for my boys to be old enough to climb it with me.
[quote=Paul;226588]training hike for 14ers[/quote]
Try Estes Cone first as a warm-up. (I succeeded at that twice). Then try Longs Peak. (I failed at that twice. Only made it to the key hole both times, but Britton has made the summit 2 or 3 times). My Longs Peak attempts were both 12-hour+ hiking. Very tiring. Going up is hard on the lungs, but coming down is hard on the knees. Use hiking poles and save your body some damage. Really pretty no matter how far you make it!
Britton has also made two attempts on Rainier. Got close, but no cigar...
My youngest is 30....
And all the older grandkids are in other states..
Plethora of options up here by me. No 14ers, but definitely one of the best training areas in the state.(hiking, snowshoeing, crampons, glacier traverse, couliors, glissading, skiing, boarding, sledding, trekking, did I forget anything, fishing, climbing, rescue practice, camping....) Hike the glacier on up to James Peak or on over to Bancroft and Parry Peak. All year practice routes. Just come prepared any time of year! Oh, and bring $5 :) Edit: I have done Elbert as a kid, and also rode up Mt. Evans Rd. to the top on my bmx bike at 13, from Evergreen.
I can tell you I have no interest in hiking the 14ers, but I actually think a fun goal would be to drive every one of the vehicle accessible passes in Colorado. If memory serves me right ( I didn't bother looking this up) there are 54 passes that can be accessed by motor vehicle. A lot of these are highway and county road accessible, but there is still a large number that require four wheel drive. I plan to try to get all of the motorcycle accessible ones this summer and then see where that leaves me for getting the rest of them.