Weather in the mountains can change very rapidly. By Jamie Siebrase • Ultimate Guide to Summer 2019. However, nothing is ever as simple as it seems in the winter. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. The Denver/Boulder/Golden metro area is a great place to get used to … Some other famous 14ers include Pikes Peak, CO (14,110'); Mt. By using our site, you agree to our. I would not recommend doing any other peaks than these for your first 14er in winter conditions unless you have someone experienced with you. Snow can be powdery and deep, requiring poles and snowshoes. Beginner’s Guide to 14ers. The 14ers are much more dangerous in the winter. If you begin to feel tired above tree line, consider turning back. 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. “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 . You should be ready to cancel or change plans at a moment’s notice. One of the less obvious challenges of winter 14ers is navigating. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. How to Climb a 14er while eating low sugar and no nuts…What! Going straight from Denver to above 14,000 feet is a lot to ask of your body, even if you live here. However if you’re not looking to buy something, visit the Summitpost page on Winter 14ers here. Go into the climbs with this mindset, and it will be easier to adjust things if you come to it. 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. You should also consider bringing a GPS navigation unit with you, in addition to maps. A lot of people chose to do Grays and Torreys together - I'd say don't be too ambitious on your first 14er. To create this article, 23 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. A 14er is a mountain with a summit above (4267m). While these can occur at any time, they are most prevalent between 1 and 4pm. A 14er is a mountain with a summit above 14,000 feet (4,000 m) (4267m). Third, wear a puffy-style insulating jacket, or something equivalent, as your main insulation layer. And it’s still a very do-able 14er to start with too. It is best to additionally wear a brimmed hat and long sleeves. The highest 14er in the contiguous United States is Mt. Colorado has over fifty 14ers, making it the highest state in the US. Acclimate to Altitude. 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". Learn more about the risks here. If you plan to drive after the hike, be sure you are not tired and can remain alert! 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. % of people told us that this article helped them. Part 2: Packing for your Climb. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. How to Climb a 14er on Jun 10, 2010 in Fort Collins, CO at REI - Fort Collins. Most trails become snow-covered for all or most of their length, making route-finding extremely difficult. Lastly, add a shell exterior jacket that is rain and wind proof, to keep the elements out! Bring extra water and leave it in your vehicle to drink on the drive home. 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. You will want to wear gaiters in any winter conditions, to keep ice and snow out of your socks and boots. Typically 1-4pm ) how to climb a 14er steep sections, but it is n't a walk in the summer of..., WA ( 14,410 ' ) ; and Mt at a moment ’ s miles! Guide | the Next summit | all Rights Reserved, how to Prep for climb. Sure you are agreeing to receive emails according how to climb a 14er the thin air when not climbing he..., then please consider supporting our work with a summit above 14,000 feet ( 4,000 m ) 4267m. 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