How Online Content and Social Media are Changing 14er Climbing

[Marcos]

New video from CFI about the changing demographics on the 14ers:

https://youtu.be/wSwuhkDnR28

There are definitely pros and cons to the increased availability of detailed beta. CFI argues that it has caused a demographic shift among 14er hikers.

[Lioness]

New video from CFI about the changing demographics on the 14ers:

https://youtu.be/wSwuhkDnR28

There are definitely pros and cons to the increased availability of detailed beta. CFI argues that it has caused a demographic shift among 14er hikers.

The downside is that there is the loss of wonder.

Even today, wherever you want to travel in the world there is a video about it. That adds to safety but it also takes away the sense of awe, surprise and discovery.

[Conor]

New video from CFI about the changing demographics on the 14ers:

https://youtu.be/wSwuhkDnR28

There are definitely pros and cons to the increased availability of detailed beta. CFI argues that it has caused a demographic shift among 14er hikers.

The downside is that there is the loss of wonder.

Even today, wherever you want to travel in the world there is a video about it. That adds to safety but it also takes away the sense of awe, surprise and discovery.

I agree, which is why I tend to use more of the guide book perspective. It's the right level of detail for me.

One thing I think should be part of the conversation is the excellent access we enjoy in Colorado. Try some of the other western state high points like granite or gannett, access is a beast. And that keeps a lot of people away. Think about the main knock on the gores - access. If I wrote a guide book about it today, would more people access it? sure, but it will never be at the level which many of the peaks higher colorado peaks are at. Long days, overnights etc are skillsets many colorado peak hikers lack. Not to mention the chief protector of the gores, a beatout.