1st 14er for me today!

[glenmiz]

No, it doesn't get old.

Enjoy them all - congratulations on the first of many.

[Rollie Free]

Congratulations.

Bierstadt was my first a few years ago after 2 unsuccessful attempts at others.
It was a great feeling.
One thing I've found being a flatlander is that the elevation bothers me less and less each year to where I don't really feel it much anymore. Even though I am contained to one week a year. It's like muscle memory for me. Hope it works the same for you. I am certainly not quick but I actually pass some people up now. I still hate the braggy trip reports ( started Capitol Peak at 8am, summitted at 8:15 all backwards and barefoot, knocked away a lightening bolt with my bare hands and literally leaped from the peak to my car, was home at 8:45.)
But have actually ran into some pretty amazing athletes up there and know I am not one of them in that way. Here is one piece of advice. Don't get into finishing numbers. Last month I was coming down Shavano and was hurrying and it occurred to me this was foolish. I get to do this once a year and decided to enjoy it, not get back in a time to impress myself. It started to rain and the wet pine and mountain air smelled so good. I just lollygagged and took it all in.
Sounds like you get it to me though.

[giarcd]

Hooray , congrats---you have begun what can be a lifetime pursuit---GAIN THE SUMMIT

[amnicola]

As a fellow St. Louis native, I congratulate you! I started seven years ago at age 47, only able to make it out to Colorado once or twice a year from Missouri, and have met some AMAZING life-long friends. We keep in touch even when we are not climbing. I am up to 37 fourteeners as well, so keep on with this healthy addiction--it inspires me to live my best. Good to start easy with Bierstadt--next you can think about Gray's and Torrey's (two in one day!) and you'll be even more hooked.

Even though I moved from St. Louis area eighteen months ago to another "Flatland" (Plano, TX is my post office and Plano means flat), I still think of myself as more of a vertical person than a horizontal person. You are right to revel in your accomplishment, and this is even more fun and safer when shared with friends out on the slope, so keep on networking.

[benlen]

Congratulations Curtis! Funny, but I also summited my first 14er today, another of the "easy" ones, Quandary Peak! My experience was similarly positive, thanks for making this post!

[snowypeaks]

As many have already said, well done Curtis and congrats! Your enthusiasm is contagious. You were wise to start early to give yourself the extra time to see what your first one would be like. Being above treeline, especially on tundra, has always been magical for me. Best wishes on your your future climbs.

[Curtis Stoll]

Thank you all for the congrats! Like I said, this is a great group of people on here.

I got greedy today and did the loop of Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross. Mission accomplished! It was very windy on D, C and L, but not so much on B. I'm definitely not passing anyone, but it doesn't matter to me. Couldn't ask for a better day though! I am beat, but I am determined to get one more in Sunday morning before I fly back to STL.

To JChitwood and tjmartn1 - every heard of Red Bud? That's where I was born and raised.

[unclegar]

Congrats! Quandary would be a great one to finish with tomorrow. I am also from the STL area originally (about an hour from there in So. IL.) Did my first 14er when I was 46 and then started working on them all when I was 48. Sounds like you already have some good principles in place like an early start. That should serve you well as you go forward.

[Melissa_M]

Congratulations! Doing my first 14er on Tuesday! WoooHoo!!

[greenonion]

ain't it fun?! way to go.

[ulvetano]

May you enjoy many days of wonderful dehydration, sunburns, scorched retinas, sprained ankles, and malnourishment, and getting lost a time or three! I kid. Well not really. Welcome to the club.

[Jay521]

Mega-congrats, Curtis. Hiking 14ers certainly is an addiction. Supposedly, there is a 58 step program that will cure it but I really don't think it works...