Gear for my first 14er?

[JeremyAlmarode]

I am heading to Colorado in two weeks to climb my first 14er. I live in New Hampshire and am used to packing for the inclement weather that takes place on Mount Washington. I need some advice as to the gear I should packing for the 14ers. Is the weather in August as unpredictable there as it is here in NH? Are light winter climbing clothes necessary? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Been_Jammin]

Pack, shoes, socks, pants, hoodie, rain jacket, sunglasses, water bottle, map, headlamp, trekking pole(s), sunscreen, snacks.

[dan0rama]

No matter where you go, you always pack for the worst case. Even if I told you it's on average warmer and drier here, it shouldn't impact what you pack. In the summer, I usually wear shorts and tshirt, but no matter what the forecast is I always have goretex shells and warm puffy jackets in my pack.

[mtree]

Flip flops, bikini, and sunglasses should do it.

And don't forget sunscreen.

[LetsGoMets]

I am heading to Colorado in two weeks to climb my first 14er. I live in New Hampshire and am used to packing for the inclement weather that takes place on Mount Washington. I need some advice as to the gear I should packing for the 14ers. Is the weather in August as unpredictable there as it is here in NH? Are light winter climbing clothes necessary? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You likely won't need winter climbing clothes out of the trailhead (though it may be cold in the AM), but keep an eye on the weather of course. However, I always pack a light puffy and emergency bivy in the case I do need to spend the night in the alpine cold overnight. The weather in August and into September is actually fairly stable, but afternoon lightning storms will continue to be something you want to watch out for. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

[JeremyAlmarode]

Pack, shoes, socks, pants, hoodie, rain jacket, sunglasses, water bottle, map, headlamp, trekking pole(s), sunscreen, snacks.

Thank you

[JeremyAlmarode]

I am heading to Colorado in two weeks to climb my first 14er. I live in New Hampshire and am used to packing for the inclement weather that takes place on Mount Washington. I need some advice as to the gear I should packing for the 14ers. Is the weather in August as unpredictable there as it is here in NH? Are light winter climbing clothes necessary? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You likely won't need winter climbing clothes out of the trailhead (though it may be cold in the AM), but keep an eye on the weather of course. However, I always pack a light puffy and emergency bivy in the case I do need to spend the night in the alpine cold overnight. The weather in August and into September is actually fairly stable, but afternoon lightning storms will continue to be something you want to watch out for. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

I appreciate it. Based on the responses it doesn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary from what I normally bring. Just never hiked CO before, so I figured no harm in asking. Thanks again!

[JChitwood]

You’ll be fine. Mt Washington has some of the worst weather in the world Colorado is a day at the beach by comparison. Rain gear and a warmer mid layer top is all I pack in August.

[jrbren_vt]

Prepare as if you were going hike Adams and Madison and you should be fine. For me that means an insulating layer top (prima-loft for me, fleece would work), rain/wind tops and bottoms, I usually wear shorts. I usually wear a thin short sleeve shirt when climbing and have a long sleeve shirt in my pack if its windy or chilly. Often its not. Many hikes all that stuff stays in my pack. Typical weather is clear mornings, really ideal for hiking, then afternoon thunderstorms, starting as early as late morning. Check the forecasts the day before. Going by what I read, expect crowds on 14ers within 2 hours of Denver, and associated parking cluster-cusses. Especially the Breckenridge and I-70 14ers. There is a crowd report somewhere on this site. If you hike 4000ers in the Whites you know the drill. For this reason I primarily seek out 12ers & 13ers. Think Sandwich Dome in NH (a very nice hike under 4000' that says a fraction of the crowds it would see if it were a few feet higher).

[JeremyAlmarode]

Prepare as if you were going hike Adams and Madison and you should be fine. For me that means an insulating layer top (prima-loft for me, fleece would work), rain/wind tops and bottoms, I usually wear shorts. I usually wear a thin short sleeve shirt when climbing and have a long sleeve shirt in my pack if its windy or chilly. Often its not. Many hikes all that stuff stays in my pack. Typical weather is clear mornings, really ideal for hiking, then afternoon thunderstorms, starting as early as late morning. Check the forecasts the day before. Going by what I read, expect crowds on 14ers within 2 hours of Denver, and associated parking cluster-cusses. Especially the Breckenridge and I-70 14ers. There is a crowd report somewhere on this site. If you hike 4000ers in the Whites you know the drill. For this reason I primarily seek out 12ers & 13ers. Think Sandwich Dome in NH (a very nice hike under 4000' that says a fraction of the crowds it would see if it were a few feet higher).

Understood... And thank you!

[JeremyAlmarode]

You’ll be fine. Mt Washington has some of the worst weather in the world Colorado is a day at the beach by comparison. Rain gear and a warmer mid layer top is all I pack in August.

I appreciate it... Mt. Washington is my "little" mountain playground, though sometimes it has a "BIG" mountain attitude...

[HikerGuy]

The only item I did not see mentioned is a pair of lightweight gloves. They are nice to have for chilly early morning starts and/or windy conditions above treeline.