Hi all!
This past fall break (around mid-October) I bagged my first 14er, Mt. Bierstadt, and I have been psyched to continue my quest of climbing more this summer.
I am looking for some advice for what/how many I should try to bag this summer. I'm from Nebraska, and it's about an 8 hour drive to Denver from my house.
Right now, I'm thinking these six, on two different week-long trips.
Early May:
Grays/Torreys
Mt. Evans
Quandary Peak
Late July/Early August:
Mt. Lincoln
Mt. Bross
Mt. Democrat
Is this realistic? Or am I crazy?
Thanks all!
S
Summer Goals for a Noob
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SBaker2
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
Seems reasonable, if not slightly conservative. Good luck and have fun!
A man has got to know his limitations.-Dr. Jonathan Hemlock or Harry Callahan or something F' it: http://youtu.be/lpzqQst-Sg8
'Life is too short to ski groomers'
"That man's only desire was to stand, once only, on the summit of that glorious wedge of rock...I think anyone who loves the mountains as much as that can claim to be a mountaineer, too."-Hermann Buhl, Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage
'Life is too short to ski groomers'
"That man's only desire was to stand, once only, on the summit of that glorious wedge of rock...I think anyone who loves the mountains as much as that can claim to be a mountaineer, too."-Hermann Buhl, Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage
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DoctorBreaks
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
Hi there. Congrats on your first 14er! Always a fun time. Mine was Grays then I went back for Torreys.SBaker2 wrote:Hi all!
This past fall break (around mid-October) I bagged my first 14er, Mt. Bierstadt, and I have been psyched to continue my quest of climbing more this summer.
I am looking for some advice for what/how many I should try to bag this summer. I'm from Nebraska, and it's about an 8 hour drive to Denver from my house.
Right now, I'm thinking these six, on two different week-long trips.
Early May:
Grays/Torreys
Mt. Evans
Quandary Peak
Late July/Early August:
Mt. Lincoln
Mt. Bross
Mt. Democrat
Is this realistic? Or am I crazy?
Thanks all!
S
To answer your question, your plans are pretty reasonable. The one suggestion I might make is to split Quandary and do it with Dem, Lin, and Bross. (You also get Cameron as it is literally unavoidable in between L&D). Quandary is around 6 miles and the other three are similar. These can be done in a weekend as they are roughly in the same area as well.
Grays/Torreys would be good to do with Evans because they are very close to each other as well.
Hope this helps!
-John
"Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion."
-Anatoli Boukreev
Be humble enough to respect the mountain, but confident enough to climb it.
Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.
-Anatoli Boukreev
Be humble enough to respect the mountain, but confident enough to climb it.
Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.
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SurfNTurf
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
Yeah, Lincoln/Bross/Democrat can be done together in one (easy) day. I'd add on some other goals to your second trip. Mt. Sherman is nearby. If you want to stick with the Front Range, there's also Pikes -- or you can drive a bit farther to the Sawatch and its abundance of options.
“There are two kinds of climbers: those who climb because their heart sings when they’re in the mountains, and all the rest.” - Alex Lowe
"There have been joys too great to describe in words, and there have been griefs upon which I cannot dare to dwell; and with those in mind I say, 'Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end.'" - Edward Whymper
"There have been joys too great to describe in words, and there have been griefs upon which I cannot dare to dwell; and with those in mind I say, 'Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end.'" - Edward Whymper
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SBaker2
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
Wow, I misspoke a bit. I'm planning on coming to Colorado for a week both times, and I didn't realize Lincoln/Democrat/Bross could be done in one day.
I was looking for three separate options per trip that aren't necessarily impossible for a noob, but still challenging. Hope that makes more sense haha.
I was looking for three separate options per trip that aren't necessarily impossible for a noob, but still challenging. Hope that makes more sense haha.
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HULKHIKEGOOD
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
Very reasonable goals, I knocked out Huron, DECALIBRON, and Quandary(plus a failed attempt at Massive) in just 5 days. You could probably add a peak or two if you are really motivated.
Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
So, SurfNTurf is right on, you could do the Dem-Lin-Bros group one day, Sherman another day then Elbert or Massive or Pikes another day.SBaker2 wrote:I was looking for three separate options per trip that aren't necessarily impossible for a noob, but still challenging. Hope that makes more sense haha.
A man has got to know his limitations.-Dr. Jonathan Hemlock or Harry Callahan or something F' it: http://youtu.be/lpzqQst-Sg8
'Life is too short to ski groomers'
"That man's only desire was to stand, once only, on the summit of that glorious wedge of rock...I think anyone who loves the mountains as much as that can claim to be a mountaineer, too."-Hermann Buhl, Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage
'Life is too short to ski groomers'
"That man's only desire was to stand, once only, on the summit of that glorious wedge of rock...I think anyone who loves the mountains as much as that can claim to be a mountaineer, too."-Hermann Buhl, Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage
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Tornadoman
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
No one has mentioned it yet, but there will probably be quite a bit of snow on those peaks in early May. Don't know what your experience/comfort is with that, but just wanted to throw it out there.
Otherwise, for each trip being a week long, I would certainly say your plans are conservative and you could probably fit in another peak or 2 easily enough.
Otherwise, for each trip being a week long, I would certainly say your plans are conservative and you could probably fit in another peak or 2 easily enough.
Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.
Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
The plan is certainly not unreasonable, and as other have said, might even be a little conservative.
However, as noted by Tornadoman, early May will still have a bunch of snow. This would mean some of the summer trailheads will not be accessible. There is also a chance for new snow to fall as well. You will probably want snowshoes. Generally in the morning the snow is frozen solid, but it will soften up during the day.
You might want to adjust your plans for May to be Quandary and the Democrat/Lincoln/Bross loop; maybe Sherman. Those winter trailheads do not add much from summer, and may be starting to melt out enough by then to get at least part way to the summer trailhead.
Then your summer trip would be Evans, Grays/Torreys and anything you missed in May or maybe add Pikes or an "easier" Sawatch like Elbert.
However, as noted by Tornadoman, early May will still have a bunch of snow. This would mean some of the summer trailheads will not be accessible. There is also a chance for new snow to fall as well. You will probably want snowshoes. Generally in the morning the snow is frozen solid, but it will soften up during the day.
You might want to adjust your plans for May to be Quandary and the Democrat/Lincoln/Bross loop; maybe Sherman. Those winter trailheads do not add much from summer, and may be starting to melt out enough by then to get at least part way to the summer trailhead.
Then your summer trip would be Evans, Grays/Torreys and anything you missed in May or maybe add Pikes or an "easier" Sawatch like Elbert.
"We want the unpopular challenge. We want to test our intellect!" - Snapcase
"You are not what you own" - Fugazi
"Life's a mountain not a beach" - Fortune Cookie I got at lunch the other day
"You are not what you own" - Fugazi
"Life's a mountain not a beach" - Fortune Cookie I got at lunch the other day
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Jim Davies
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
For variety, you could go to the San Juans for the second trip. Redcloud+Sunshine, Handies, Uncompahgre, San Luis would probably be enough to keep you busy for a week.
Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall — it's great when you stop. -- Chris Darwin
I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now. -- Forrest Gump
I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now. -- Forrest Gump
Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
You're probably going to run into snow in early May. Like others have said your plan is definitely doable. We have had a decent snow year, not great but not bad by any means either. Rent snowshoes and start early as you'll be post holing after the sun warms up the snow. Grays/Torrey's will still have a super highway of a trail so you might just get away with microspikes. If you do Evans alone, I would assume you'll be going up the Western Slopes. The willows will be your biggest hurdle, and they have turned many people back. Pikes is a great alternative via the western slopes as well.
I'd echo Jim's advice and head to the San Juan's, the best mountain range in the state in my opinion. The whole Decalibron is kind of a let down in mid summer. If you can't make it to the SJ's then head to Huron, Missouri or Elbert. Those are head over heals better than the Decalibron.
I'd echo Jim's advice and head to the San Juan's, the best mountain range in the state in my opinion. The whole Decalibron is kind of a let down in mid summer. If you can't make it to the SJ's then head to Huron, Missouri or Elbert. Those are head over heals better than the Decalibron.
"In our youths our hearts were touched with fire" - Oliver Wendell Holmes
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linuxsurfer
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Re: Summer Goals for a Noob
Definitely go for Mt. Elbert if you can - class 1, but it's the highest one in CO, and a great view! (I may be biased as it was my first 14er). I hope your trip(s) go well. I have heard that May and even June can be pretty snowy as far as the peaks, but I'm from NC so I can't say for sure. I have only been in late July and early Aug and have had great trips each time.
