Is it safe?

[JessicaDNF]

Hello,

I am freshman in college (female, 19) and a guy from my school wants to take me to hike a 14er tomorrow. He's never done one this time of year in Colorado, but I am thinking we should be fine. I don't really have any gear beyond my snowboarding stuff. If we do an easy peak, do you think it's safe? The only 14er I've done is Bierstadt in the summer. My dad and brother think it may not be the safest, but I want to go and just want to make sure that they're just overreacting.

Thanks!

Jess

[BillMiddlebrook]

Jess,
Avalanche danger is high right now. Have you seen the forecast for tomorrow? Heavy snow on many of the "easier" 14ers. If you've never climbed a 14er in winter, it might be better to pick a day with better weather. If you go, make sure your party is comfortable and skilled enough to navigate in low-visiblity.

What peak were you considering?

Be safe.

[BaronVonBergschrund]

I am freshman in college (female, 19) and a guy from my school wants to take me to hike a 14er tomorrow.

Jessica, it is definitely NOT safe to go on this trip tomorrow.

I do not think that hiking a 14er tomorrow would be safe, either.

[BillMiddlebrook]

I am freshman in college (female, 19) and a guy from my school wants to take me to hike a 14er tomorrow.

Jessica, it is definitely NOT safe to go on this trip tomorrow.

I do not think that hiking a 14er tomorrow would be safe, either.

Ok, that was funny

[JessicaDNF]

Thanks guys, I have decided not to go. Another day...

Is it really important to have good boots when hiking before Aprilish?

Jess

[rijaca]

Is it really important to have good boots when hiking before Aprilish?

Jess

Only if you value your toes.

[MtHurd]

Thanks guys, I have decided not to go. Another day...

Is it really important to have good boots when hiking before Aprilish?

Jess

It depends on how cold it is. I've worn Gore-tex trail runners in winter but it was above 10 degrees. Boots will be better if it's below 10 degrees. Waterproof is a must and gaiters are a must.

[JB99]

Good decision on not going. Also lucky you aren't a guy because if a guy came on and posted a question with an answer that obvious they would have been ridiculed for the next 50 posts.

[ajkagy]

Hello,

I am freshman in college (female, 19) and a guy from my school wants to take me to hike a 14er tomorrow. He's never done one this time of year in Colorado, but I am thinking we should be fine. I don't really have any gear beyond my snowboarding stuff. If we do an easy peak, do you think it's safe? The only 14er I've done is Bierstadt in the summer. My dad and brother think it may not be the safest, but I want to go and just want to make sure that they're just overreacting.

Thanks!

Jess

If you need to make a post on an internet forum to get a decision from a bunch of arm chair climbers about whether something is safe enough then you probably already know the answer to your question...

[Chipper]

Jess - You made the right decision in not going today. However, in an alternate universe, a Jess made the wrong decision. Below, I am making fun of her, not you.

Top Ten Things heard today by alternate-universe Jess

10 - I think we must be close to the summit!
9 - Doesn't that cool snow formation jutting out from the ridge above look like an ocean wave?
8 - You'd think they could figure out some kind of boot attachment that would keep us from falling all the time.
7 - Don't worry, I think the wind will die down as we climb higher.
6 - Huh?!?! No, I can't see either - - - but I think the trail is just up ahead.
5 - I think we must be close to the summit!
4 - Wow, look how fast our footprints disappear in the wind behind us.
3 - Yeah it's getting kind of dark, but I have a stove and tent in the car.
2 - I think we must be close to the summit!
And the number thing heard today by alternate-universe Jess - - -
1 - You've got hypothermia - we have to maximize skin surface-to-surface contact inside one sleeping bag

Chipper

"For we find no keener truths, nor soul's reflection so sublime,
Than the maxims chosen for quoth, in a blog-post signature line."

[JohnWilliams]

Good decision on not going. Also lucky you aren't a guy because if a guy came on and posted a question with an answer that obvious they would have been ridiculed for the next 50 posts.

HaHa Amen Sir!

[wildlobo71]

If you need to make a post on an internet forum to get a decision from a bunch of arm chair climbers about whether something is safe enough then you probably already know the answer to your question...

I don't know where you were, perhaps in an armchair, but yesterday... I was out climbing. I think she came to the perfect place to ask the question; it reads and sounds so obvious when we aren't in her shoes...er boots (or did she have boots, let me scroll up and reread that part.) But doing a 14er in the middle of winter (dry or not, warmer than normal or not,) on what amounts to a date (it would be, even if it weren't insinuated, Jess,) is not smart at all. Thanks for asking the question.

Now, if you really want to hike a 14er in winter/spring conditions, look up the thread for the Spring Gathering around Mount Sherman in mid-April... a very easy (all 14ers make you work some, this one much less than others,) 14er to summit, and there are some 13ers right nearby that probably most people in this crowd will go hang out on. It'll be very safe, men and women and wives and boyfriends and dogs.