Last Sunday, 9/6/26, I "finished" the Colorado Centennials (are you ever "finished"?) after climbing Trinity Peak via Beartown/Stormy Gulch approach. What a joy! I never really expected to complete the Centennials, especially since I'm just a recreational hiker and going into 2025 I was 65 years old with no rock climbing experience. But then my niece's husband, Stephen, an avid rock climber, agreed to take me under his tutelage, and for a 6 months he literally "taught me the ropes" and proved that you can, indeed, teach an old dog new tricks. So in August 2025 we loaded our backpacks and climbing gear, headed up the Noname Creek drainage, and on a beautiful perfect weather day, summited Jagged Mountain on August 18, 2025, with Stephen leading the way. That was for me the biggest Thrill in this journey.
So, in 2026 I had a short list to complete, including Cathedral Peak (snow climb), Thunder Pyramid (another snow climb), Rio Grande Pyramid (longest dayhike ever), Pigeon Peak, and finally Trinity Peak. Many thanks to friends who've climbed with me, and the dozens I've met along the way. At 66 years old, perhaps I'm one of the older ones out there, but I'm not nearly "finished" yet. Looking forward to many more years of enjoying these beautiful Rocky Mountains!
Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
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Phill the Thrill
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Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
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"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
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CheapCigarMan
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
The thrill you must Phill! 
Super congrats! You really went for it at the end with some bodacious peaks! I bet you must be super proud and overjoyed with such an accomplishment and with all of the special memories you have of each climb.
Congratulations!
Do you prefer snow and couloir climbs?
Super congrats! You really went for it at the end with some bodacious peaks! I bet you must be super proud and overjoyed with such an accomplishment and with all of the special memories you have of each climb.
Congratulations!
Do you prefer snow and couloir climbs?
I should be on a mountain
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Mtnman200
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Congratulations, Phill! What were your favorites?
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner
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HikerGuy
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Congrats! It’s the season of finishers! Way to get a great list completed!
Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Congratulations, nice work and keeping at checking off the peaks. Also big thumbs up for getting some rock climbing practice before hitting the more technical peaks.
Consecutive months with at least one 13er or 14er: 102 months.
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JROSKA
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Congratulations! The Cents are no small task.
I’ve heard a little bit about your journey through Mark (psa954hiker) and I admire how you’ve stuck with it. I keep thinking I’m at the end of the road with the 14er chase but I love seeing how big things are possible at an older age with perseverance. You’re an inspiration to us all!
I’ve heard a little bit about your journey through Mark (psa954hiker) and I admire how you’ve stuck with it. I keep thinking I’m at the end of the road with the 14er chase but I love seeing how big things are possible at an older age with perseverance. You’re an inspiration to us all!
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” - Proverbs 18:2
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Phill the Thrill
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Yes, I'm PHILLing it! haha. Love a good snow climb, as long as conditions are good. Hate the sketchy stuff. I don't wanna die!CheapCigarMan wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2026 7:22 pm The thrill you must Phill!
Super congrats! You really went for it at the end with some bodacious peaks! I bet you must be super proud and overjoyed with such an accomplishment and with all of the special memories you have of each climb.
Congratulations!
Do you prefer snow and couloir climbs?
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
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Phill the Thrill
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Thank you! Favorites that immediately come to mind:
Jagged Mountain #1
Maroon Bells
Snowmass S Ridge
Capitol
El Diente/Wilson/Gladstone - epic day
Three Apostles
Crestones
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
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Phill the Thrill
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Thank you! Take a good break over the winter, and who knows, maybe you'll find renewed strength in 2027?!JROSKA wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2026 9:05 pm Congratulations! The Cents are no small task.
I’ve heard a little bit about your journey through Mark (psa954hiker) and I admire how you’ve stuck with it. I keep thinking I’m at the end of the road with the 14er chase but I love seeing how big things are possible at an older age with perseverance. You’re an inspiration to us all!
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
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Phill the Thrill
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
Thank you! Yeah, no way was I going to try Jagged without feeling comfortable with the rock climbing gear. Thankfully I had a great teacher/lead climber!climbingcue wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2026 7:55 pm Congratulations, nice work and keeping at checking off the peaks. Also big thumbs up for getting some rock climbing practice before hitting the more technical peaks.
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
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Mtnman200
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Re: Centennial Finisher - Phill the Thrill
That's a really nice list of favorites!Phill the Thrill wrote: ↑Sat Sep 12, 2026 9:38 pmThank you! Favorites that immediately come to mind:
Jagged Mountain #1
Maroon Bells
Snowmass S Ridge
Capitol
El Diente/Wilson/Gladstone - epic day
Three Apostles
Crestones
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner