Coloradoans love measuring altitude. We all know how many feet are in a mile (5,280), which is the elevation of Denver, the capital. Another benchmark is 14,000 feet, since Colorado is home to 53 peaks that reach 14,000 feet or higher. These peaks have special “14er” status, and climbing a 14er is a Centennial State rite of passage.
I’m a latecomer to hiking and mountaineering in Colorado. My first 14er happened in the summer of 2012, when I put world travel on hold to spend some time in my home state. Now, a year and a half later, I’ve reached the peaks of fourteen 14ers. Here they are, in the order I climbed them:
Mt. Elbert (14,433’)
I started big. My first 14er was the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert. The standard route is easy and non-technical (Class 1), with an elevation gain of 4,700’ and a round-trip distance of 9 miles. It was an incredible “first” and once I’d sampled the feeling of it, I was hooked.
Mt. Yale (14,420’)
My second 14er ascent was Mt. Yale, also a good starting place for novice summit hikers. We took the standard route, with an elevation gain of 4,300’ and total trip distance of 10 miles.
Sunshine Peak (14,001’), Redcloud Peak (14,034’), and Handies Peak (14,048’)
My third 14er trip was a three-day excursion to the distant San Juan mountain range, on a triple 14er mission. After camping out, we reached Sunshine and Redcloud on day 2 and Handies on day 3.
Mt. Sherman (14,036’)
This was a very memorable ascent, since it was the first I completed at night under the light of a full moon. We reached the summit right at sunrise. Amazing.
Mt. Bierstadt (14,060’)
Mt. Beirstadt is a popular first 14er, given its close proximity to Denver in the Front Range and its relatively low level of difficulty. I shared this hike with my French couch surfer on the day after Thanksgiving. It was my first non-summer ascent, and the fresh snow-dusting was gorgeous.
Mt. Bross (14,172’)
This October ascent gave me a new understanding of wind. As per tradition, my hiking friend and I brought signs with the peak’s name and elevation for a summit photo. The wind was blowing so hard that, in the photos, the signs are sticking to our chests.
Torreys Peak (14,267’) and Grays Peak (14,270’)
This double ascent merits a snowflake asterisk by it, since it was my first winter season summit. The weather smiled in our favor, and I got to try out my awesome new microspikes a few times over the course of the 16 miles.
Longs Peak (14,255’)
Until Longs Peak, all my ascents had been easier Class 1 or Class 2 (less technical and difficult). Longs Peak was a breakthrough hike, upping my game to Class 3. I couldn’t have asked for better company or a more fun dance party and photo session on its famously flat summit. One epic day.
Torreys Peak (14,267’) via Kelso Ridge
With new-found confidence from Longs Peak, I signed up to revisit Torreys, this time via an alternate route called Kelso Ridge (Class 3). The most harrowing part is the “knife’s edge”, a ridge that requires maneuvering across some serious exposure on either side. Survived!
Mt. Belford (14,197’) and Mt. Oxford (14,153’)
The day after Kelso Ridge, we set out on an a double peak trip which started out rainy and ended up with the narrow dodging of dark thunderstorms. The ride home was very happy, however — we stopped for a well-earned dip in nearby Cottonwood hot springs near Buena Vista.
Mt Bierstadt (14,060’) via Abyss Route and Mt. Evans (14,264’) via Sawtooth
Most recently, I revisited Bierstadt via an alternate more technical route, then finally made it to Mt. Evans (one of only two Colorado 14er summits that are reachable by car) via rough-looking but not-so-bad Sawtooth Ridge. Evans was my 14th 14er.
Some people take on the challenge of completing all of Colorado’s 53 14ers. For me, it would take many years to become a “completer.” I get too distracted. Some of my favorite peaks have been 13ers, which I find to be equally satisfying and often less crowded. Either way, I’m always up for the next summit hiking adventure as long as the company is good and the forecast is sunny.
This post is October’s addition to my Ambassador series for VacationRoost.com
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