Winter Hike-Best Mountain

[jstak]

So my buddy and I are trying to decide which mountain would be the most ideal to climb in early February. I do know its not a typical time people climb but I would like to hear of some places people have tried as long as conditions are good for it too.

[Scott P]

It depends on what you mean by best. Quandary, Bierstadt, and Sherman are typically the easiest 14ers to climb in the winter.

[Exiled Michigander]

What do you mean by "most ideal"? Safest? Shortest? Most technically challenging? "Ideal" can mean a lot of different things. Also, what is your level of experience? Have you been above 12 K before? Do you know how to use an ice axe to self-arrest? Do you plan on postholing, using snowshoes, or skiing?

Quandary, Sherman, Bierstadt, and Pikes are generally considered safe-ish winter routes (low avalanche risk, not too demanding from an endurance perspective, and very little technical skill required). Stepping up from that in terms of avalanche risk, endurance, and skill would be Torreys from Loveland Pass, Yale's East Ridge, and La Plata. I'd probably recommend reading some trip reports from winter climbs on these peaks to learn about what you may be in for.

Good luck, though. Climbing 14ers in the winter can be a fantastic experience if you do so prepared and safely.

[jstak]

What do you mean by "most ideal"? Safest? Shortest? Most technically challenging? "Ideal" can mean a lot of different things. Also, what is your level of experience? Have you been above 12 K before? Do you know how to use an ice axe to self-arrest? Do you plan on postholing, using snowshoes, or skiing?

Quandary, Sherman, Bierstadt, and Pikes are generally considered safe-ish winter routes (low avalanche risk, not too demanding from an endurance perspective, and very little technical skill required). Stepping up from that in terms of avalanche risk, endurance, and skill would be Torreys from Loveland Pass, Yale's East Ridge, and La Plata. I'd probably recommend reading some trip reports from winter climbs on these peaks to learn about what you may be in for.

Good luck, though. Climbing 14ers in the winter can be a fantastic experience if you do so prepared and safely.

I would say safest and medium climbing difficulty. I have climbed only 2 14ers, so I have been above 12k but I was looking at Sherman, Bierstadt or La Plata. One buddy coming with is not in as good as shape as me and has never climbed a 14er (Probably should do summer but hes coming with in winter for first one haha). I do not live in CO but my other buddy does (going with 3 total) and he is the one ive climbed with. I was also possibly thinkning about boarding down but sounds like that is a no go during February from what i've been reading. I do not have a lot of experience with an Ice Axe so that will be one thing I will have to look into and practice some. I have snowshoes too.

[Scott P]

La Plata is a lot harder in winter than Bierstadt, Sherman, or Quandary. It's not technical, but it's much longer and more strenuous. This is especially true if the trail isn't broken.

[SurfNTurf]

I wrote a blog post on easier winter 14ers a few years back. It’s in need of a refresh, but here it is anyway:

https://iceandtrail.com/2015/11/11/5-wi ... beginners/

[jstak]

I wrote a blog post on easier winter 14ers a few years back. It’s in need of a refresh, but here it is anyway:

https://iceandtrail.com/2015/11/11/5-wi ... beginners/

Awesome Thanks I'll go take a look at it.

[CheapCigarMan]

https://www.summitpost.org/colorado-14e ... ter/337648