Have you caught the insect yet? The wish to climb up a mountain with a top rising a minimum of 14,000 feet above water level has actually reached near-epidemic percentages in Colorado, with estimates of roughly 500,000 walkers and also mountain climbers making their method up a Fourteener each year.

The bright side is that a variety of Colorado's 54 Fourteeners can be climbed up by anyone with great stamina and also overall physical fitness. That's additionally the problem. People that recognize little concerning the special dangers of treking in the hills typically lay out along a well-marked and also well-traveled path up a Fourteener ill-equipped for the venture. Hypothermia and dehydration are two of the dangerous as well as all-too-common troubles that may wait for walkers who aren't https://www.pikes-peak.com/manitou-incline/ prepared.

It was the 4th of July weekend, and also we headed to the mountains, escaping Denver's 95 level heat. As we came close to the summit above tree-line (trees can't grow above a particular elevation; in Colorado that altitude is around 11,000 to 12,000 feet), it began to snow. Hard. As well as blow. Harder. We donned our wind trousers and warm coats, hats as well as handwear covers, as well as remained to the top.

There we discovered a walker that had passed us on the path earlier in the day. He was worn running shorts as well as a light t shirt, using tennis shoes (which were quite damp now), and lugging a tiny, vacant canteen. He was shivering strongly. People began bundling him up in their added warm apparel, giving him food and water, and after that assisted him back down the route.

Here are a few standard " policies" to bear in mind prior to directing that hill path (even when raising tops less than 14,000 feet):.

1. Bring along extra layers of apparel. Despite exactly how beautiful as well as warm the weather condition is when you start out, temperatures can plummet as well as you can get soaked if a electrical storm moves in.

2. Thunderstorms are very usual in Colorado's mountains during summer season afternoons. Plan your day so you can be leaving the summit and heading back down the route no behind midday. Watch the skies for cloud accumulation, and reverse earlier if a tornado seems to be creating early.

3. Carry a lot of water, and also drink frequently. Even in great weather, you'll probably need to drink a minimum of 2 quarts of water during your hike to and also from the top of one of the " simpler" Fourteeners. That amount of water gets on the reduced side for many people.

4. Several of the various other "essentials" to bring along: food ( treat regularly-- don't allow on your own run out of "fuel"), map & compass ( and also recognize exactly how to use them), fire starter, flashlight or headlamp, first Aid package, sunglasses, and also sunscreen.

5. Trek with a friend. That cool, damp individual was lucky that other https://www.frontrangeclimbing.com/ people came to assist him. Visualize what would have happened if he had actually been alone for one more 30 minutes!

These suggestions are just a begin to assist you hike more safely in the mountains. Consider joining a hiking club prior to dealing with greater peaks in Colorado. You'll find some brand-new hiking companions, discover more outdoor abilities, as well https://www.gobreck.com/trip-ideas/hiking/climb-your-first-colorado-14er/ as most likely have a good time too.

Allow's head for the hills!

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Numerous of the " simpler" Colorado Fourteeners are:.

Mount Sherman.

Quandary Peak.

Mount Elbert.

Mount Evans.

Mount Belford.