Welcome to the Motel Colorado

[seannunn]

The last line really resonates.
I have 10 more 14ers and am hoping to finish them this coming summer.
The thought is already in my mind: "if I could somehow knock out Jagged, Dallas, Teakettle, & Pigeon in the next few years, then the rest of the centennials are relatively easy."
When I told my wife about that thought, she said: "this isn't really every going to end, is it?"

Sean Nunn

[greenonion]

The last line really resonates.
I have 10 more 14ers and am hoping to finish them this coming summer.
The thought is already in my mind: "if I could somehow knock out Jagged, Dallas, Teakettle, & Pigeon in the next few years, then the rest of the centennials are relatively easy."
When I told my wife about that thought, she said: "this isn't really every going to end, is it?"

Sean Nunn

That is so funny Sean! We’re rowing the same boat!

Let’s not forget the oars and compass next summer

[JROSKA]

Nice writing, and very creative. I do think there are definite connections to the real “Hotel California” and peakbagging. Like others my mind immediately goes to the closing, “you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”.

As I apply this to my own life, I try not to have this cynicism about it. As I say in my profile I look at peakbagging as a “season of life” thing, nothing more, nothing less. I wasn’t really any type of outdoors type in my young adult years and certainly didn’t climb mountains. Once I moved out here around 40 the 14er list suited me well in terms of learning about Colorado, developing a skill, staying active, dealing with fear issues and meeting new people, over a long period of time. Along the way I did decide that I enjoy the process of prioritizing summiting a peak but in no way do I view it as any type of permanent thing, or “it’s who I am” etc. Not to say I’ll never reach another summit after the 14er list, but the priority will strictly be about interesting hikes and staying active. Some people make climbing peaks a lifelong passion, and that’s great. But for others (like me) I don’t think it needs to be viewed as something we can’t escape from. At the end of the day it’s just a leisure activity and there are thousands of those.

That said, I can see that it’s not an easy thing to set aside. If it was, I’d just stop where I am at 51 and not really care if I get the last 7 on the checklist. But I know that I won’t do that.

[JChitwood]

The last line really resonates.
I have 10 more 14ers and am hoping to finish them this coming summer.
The thought is already in my mind: "if I could somehow knock out Jagged, Dallas, Teakettle, & Pigeon in the next few years, then the rest of the centennials are relatively easy."
When I told my wife about that thought, she said: "this isn't really every going to end, is it?"

Sean Nunn

Don’t need Dallas and Teakettle.

And not sure Gladstone, Thunder, Ice, Cathedral, Vestal and Arrow are “relatively easy” though I guess all things are relative.

[seannunn]

And not sure Gladstone, Thunder, Ice, Cathedral, Vestal and Arrow are “relatively easy” though I guess all things are relative.

Relatively easy = not significantly beyond anything I have already done (Wilson, Maroon, N. Maroon, Capitol, Pyramid, etc.)
Don't worry, I wouldn't take any of the mountains that you list above lightly. I just mean they aren't Lizard Head.


Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO

[FireOnTheMountain]

long hikes with weighted packs and good vert don't help you ride harder/faster?