Moved to CO a few years ago from sea level, so effectively no experience with exposure. It's there a progressive "exposure therapy path" through the 14ers that anyone could recommend? I would love to be able to do something like Capital one day, but the exposure makes me say "nope".
Thinking about Mt Harvard this Saturday. No recent updates for trail conditions. 3 weeks ago there was snow, but it may be melted by then. If anyone has any updates I'd love to hear them!
The Highpointers Club is celebrating AMERICA 250 by taking an American flag to every state highpoint, taking a photo of the flag with the individual or group and uploading the photo to https://highpointers.org/flags-on-the-highpoints/
If your're climbing Elbert please consider carrying an American flag to the summit, take a photo of you and the flag at the summit, then upload your photo to https://highpointers.org/flags-on-the-highpoints/
If you have any questions, please contact me by e mailing, Lanny Wexler, Flags on the Highpoints Coordinator, flagsonthehighpoints@outlook.com at the Highpointers Club. Safe climbing!
Only can find a few trip reports. Looking to link the trinities with arrow and vestal and looking fkr beta
Will be arriving in Denver on 6/14 and will be attempting to hike Mt Elbert via the North Mount Elbert Trail. I’m tracking that I should take time to acclimate to the height but I unfortunately don’t have time. Looking for someone to hike up the trail with that is experienced and so that it’s more enjoyable. Thanks!!
Hiked the Mt. Sneffels standard route for my boyfriend’s first 14er during our trip to Ouray.
I have a 2000 jeep cherokee with about 8 inches of clearance but I do not want to risk messing anything up on it. I know the road is closed for the 1.5 miles? Happy parking further away and walking but how does the payment and parking work if I do not want to drive all the way to the trailhead? I do not want to double back and pay and then walk a mile back to my car to show the stub. I also want to make sure that the driving is extremely easy with no risk to my car.
I was thinking of doing Gray's Peak in 1st week of July as it's the best fit but it looks like I prob need to add 3 miles from the lower lot to get to the trail? Is this a good hike or would there be a better one to do for 14ers? Coming from Maroon Bell and then going up to RMNP
Staying in winter park this summer, I plan on eventually doing some 14ers but since I have all summer I want to start slow. Decided to give mt flora (13k) a shot this Sunday after spending 3 nights at 9k and doing a few shorter hikes Friday and Saturday.
For background, I’ve lived at sea level my whole life (26M) consider myself a strong sea level to 10k feet hiker. I’ve done 60+ mile backpacking loops averaging 3+mph moving pace, Grand Canyon r2r, other massive climb hikes, but haven’t spent much time at all above 11/12k.
While doing flora I got to about 12k feet and felt like I hit a massive wall. Taking 5 steps before totally winded, mild/moderate but not terrible headache despite being well hydrated and electrolyted (probably not a word). Ended up turning around at 12.5 as I just felt like shit and have all summer and didn’t feel like pushing it (I was solo as well).
Considering I’ve been at 9k feet since Wednesday, I know I’m already ahead of most sea level to 13/14k people from an acclimation standpoint, but still hit a wall that I’m curious as to whether it will go away or not. I will admit that I am not your typical peak bagger. I’m 6’8”, 230lbs, and spend most of the past year weight training and doing some but not a ton cardio, but I am definitely in decent shape.
So I guess my question is should I expect my wall to ease up as I do more hiking? Or should I assume I’m just more susceptible to AMS than most and might just have to level set my expectations this summer.
Didn’t need micros, but understand why people recommend them.
6/6 Wasn’t planning for summit but the snow was surprisingly solid. Hit Blue Sky summit and took the west ridge back to the car. Forecast called for afternoon thunderstorms but they started forming around 10:30, thankfully already down at the car :)
Quandary gets scoffed at because of how busy it gets but there are time windows every year when it is really nice. I got to the summit at 7:40 AM to find not a single person, and no wind! Almost everyone I encountered was a Summit County resident and awesome to talk to. There was less snow on this day than the other two times I’ve done it in mid to late June.
Planning a Colorado trip and I’m trying to make sure I don’t accidentally overdo it with altitude sickness.
I’m coming from basically sea level, and I’ve got this stacked itinerary in Colorado Springs:
Day 1 — Arrival
Land in Denver, drive to Colorado Springs
Take it easy, maybe a short walk at Red Rock Canyon
Day 2 — Incline
Early morning Manitou Incline
Afternoon at Garden of the Gods (assuming I’m still functional lol)
Day 3 — Pikes Peak
Drive up Pikes Peak Highway
A few scenic stops, nothing crazy
Maybe Cheyenne Canyon / Helen Hunt Falls if energy is there
Day 4 — 14er attempt
4:30am start
One mountain attempt
Back down by midday, full recovery mode after
Day 5 — Leave
Check out
Quick stop at Red Rocks on the way to Denver
Fly home
Here’s what I’m unsure about and honestly a little nervous about:
I’m doing the manitou Incline, Pikes Peak, 14er all within a few days after coming from sea level. My friend and I are in good shape but I know altitude sickness can hit randomly with anyone.
Is this too aggressive for acclimation?
Is doing the Incline that early a bad idea or actually fine?
What are the “this is going sideways” signs I shouldn’t ignore?
Right now I think keep everything planned.
What would you actually change if the goal is still pushing ourselves, but not gambling the whole trip on altitude luck?
Thank you all in advance for tips!
Did this one as a day trip and wow was that painful yet rewarding choice! Definitely need crampons for the ascent and if you wait too long the snow becomes too mushy to effectively climb. Glissading back down after a slog up the snowmass was the highlight of the day, yet the hike is the most beautiful one I've done by far. There's some slick ice up on the ridge, so be careful traversing the class III section. It'll take more time than you expect. An amazing day all around, although I would recommend to camp before ascending for sure!
Hello everyone. I am planning on doing a snow route this upcoming week but want some help on where. I am getting really starting to backpack a lot and all my favorite snow routes are in non-wilderness areas where you can't really backpack to a base. My question is, is there a cool moderate to low steepness snow route, where I can backpack in from the trailhead, spend the night, summit, and then pack up and head to my car. I am super curious if there is anything like I am describing. If what I am saying is too good to be true, are there similar options. Thanks in advance and happy mountaineering!
Climbing longs in just under a week. I know there wasn’t much snow this year but I’m still wondering if the loft will be safe. Have cramp ons and ice axe but don’t want to get into anything too hairy.
Lucky #13. After doing some longer peaks last year (la plata, bel/ox) it feels so nice to do a short easy one!! We flew up the mountain and felt so good. Talked to lots of first-timers and also saw so so many underprepared people 😳😳. Couple snow patches, one was a little spicy on the way down, but nothing too crazy. Weather was perfect!!!! Beautiful morning on the mountain.
Road isn’t bad, just bumpy in spots. I don’t think I’d take a 2WD sedan type vehicle up it though. Started up Fall Creek trail just after 5a. Some significant tree fall in the first half-mile or so. One spot in particular looks like a twister ripped through! There’s a social trail forming off to the left to get around. I took Halo ridge up. This way was totally dry except for one firm snowfield in between the summit of Halo and the final push up HC. I was surprised how nice the scrambling was, most of the bigger boulders stayed put. It’s a long way to boulder hop though, took me almost 6 hours to summit from the car. I had my fill and decided to take the standard route down. This way had more snow, but no need for traction. The ridgeline approach was snowy, but you could stay off to the side of it most of the time. Some small mounds to deal with right near treeline. I was fine in trail runners.
Vail is looking lush right now, get over there if you need some green in your life. My 100th summit today! 🎉 Can’t wait for the next 100.
Sorry if not allowed! I didn't see anything in the rules.
Second pic: the mountain goat in question. Zoomed in of course. I know they saw it and had plenty of time to leash it since they were standing there taking photos of it when the dog ran towards it.
There's was also a kid throwing giant rocks down the edge and another guy that wouldn't let me get around him on the way down.
Is Quandry officially cooked? Today was my 5th summit on it and it was the worst trail etiquette I've seen so far on any trail, ever. I figured the circus wasn't going to arrive for another month. Boy, was I wrong.
Edit: no I did not say anything to any of them and yeah I should have but I was going for a PR and wasnt trying to stick around and play park ranger all day with the kiddos. Aside from the 3 encounters already described above, there were also multiple groups of teenagers without bags, proper footwear, or anything remotely resembling proper hiking prep. It wasn't even particularly busy. I know it's just quandry but come on.
TO BE FAIR there were also plenty of very friendly people and they were all giving mad respect to the mountain goats aside from the two pictured. It being June there were a bunch as usual.