2014 14er Speed Record Attempt

[zinj]

We need to send some 14ers.com ninjas to the ranch and have them alter the watches/clocks of the staff to buy Andrew a little more time to get to the gate.

[mountaingoat-G]

I don't see Bad Dad making Culebra by 6:00 am tomorrow. Does he do Blanca group instead?

Culebra tickets for 6/20 and 6/21 only, correct? That's gonna be a problem.

That's what it looks like to me as of right now.. (11:15 AM 6/20)
Edit: current GPS position is all I have to make a guess.

[San Juan Ron]

I see he's decided to go off the standard route and take a more direct line at Handies' summit ridge

The route up Handies that Bad Dad took was basically straight up. He had challenges going up and was not able to glissade down. My guess is that he could of done the standard route at least as quick. He stated as we came down from AB to S/R that Handies "kicked his butt". Of all peaks to kick your butt, Handies would probably be the least likely. SJ Ron

[John Prater]

Posting from lower S. Colony TH. Waiting for Andrew and crew.

Hope that the Crestones will go a little faster from this side than my traverse but unsure.

Since Andrew thinks Blanca group is shorter than Crestones, makes sense to do the Blanca group after Culebra tomorrow rather than Crestones to be moving on to Pikes earlier.

[Phill the Thrill]

We need to send some 14ers.com ninjas to the ranch and have them alter the watches/clocks of the staff to buy Andrew a little more time to get to the gate.

In all seriousness, can something not be done about this? How much inconvenience is it to hold the gate open an hour or two to allow a record attempt to proceed on time? Even if he starts two hours later he will probably finish earlier than most.

[Phill the Thrill]

Posting from lower S. Colony TH. Waiting for Andrew and crew.

Hope that the Crestones will go a little faster from this side than my traverse but unsure.

Since Andrew thinks Blanca group is shorter than Crestones, makes sense to do the Blanca group after Culebra tomorrow rather than Crestones to be moving on to Pikes earlier.

Great to see Homie joining Andrew for the Crestones! Wishing you fabulous weather and strong legs.

[its_not_a_tuba]

Well I guess I will be going to bed with the iPad on the bedside table tonight since I will surly be waking up every hour to see where he is at.

[Steve Knapp]

Posting from lower S. Colony TH. Waiting for Andrew and crew.

Hope that the Crestones will go a little faster from this side than my traverse but unsure.

Since Andrew thinks Blanca group is shorter than Crestones, makes sense to do the Blanca group after Culebra tomorrow rather than Crestones to be moving on to Pikes earlier.

Great to see Homie joining Andrew for the Crestones! Wishing you fabulous weather and strong legs.

My thoughts exactly! How cool is that if they can join up for this section. Andrew and Homie take on the Crestones. I was just wondering if he's had anyone with him on the peaks done so far, or has been solo. Companionship might be welcome by now, especially someone of Homie's caliber.

[kansas]

We need to send some 14ers.com ninjas to the ranch and have them alter the watches/clocks of the staff to buy Andrew a little more time to get to the gate.

In all seriousness, can something not be done about this? How much inconvenience is it to hold the gate open an hour or two to allow a record attempt to proceed on time? Even if he starts two hours later he will probably finish earlier than most.

The strict time component of Culebra is something everyone before him had to deal with, IMO it would taint the record if he got special treatment there when the others didn't. It keeps the playing field level.

[rocky_mtn_high]

The strict time component of Culebra is something everyone before him had to deal with, IMO it would taint the record if he got special treatment there when the others didn't. It keeps the playing field level.

I disagree, as the 6am start time is an arbitrary rule set by the owner of the ranch, and is subject to change. More power to the climbers if they can negotiate an alternate start. I know when my wife and I did it, we had an alarm clock mishap and called the ranchowner to beg for mercy; they were kind enough to have someone meet us at the gate a bit late. So definitely worth a try if Bad Dad is running behind schedule.

[crossfitter]

I disagree, as the 6am start time is an arbitrary rule set by the owner of the ranch, and is subject to change. More power to the climbers if they can negotiate an alternate start. I know when my wife and I did it, we had an alarm clock mishap and called the ranchowner to beg for mercy; they were kind enough to have someone meet us at the gate a bit late. So definitely worth a try if Bad Dad is running behind schedule.

But then it becomes more of a game of who can play politics the best to receive an edge. If you start allowing special treatment, where do you draw the line? Convince the train operator to wait for you at Needleton so you don't lose time? Have the state patrol provide an escort so you don't get stuck in traffic?

[fahixson]

The strict time component of Culebra is something everyone before him had to deal with, IMO it would taint the record if he got special treatment there when the others didn't. It keeps the playing field level.

IMO the playing field is constantly adjusted with innovations in technology, roads, and particularly the support crew concept. To me, working out special arrangements with the ranch would just be another potential logistical improvement. It feels different than taking helicopters between THs and such. Just my opinion though, understand others may see it differently. Never competed in any sort of individual sport like this where much of the judging is left up to the competitor him/herself.