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Safe mountain climbing requires good judgement and plain, old-fashioned common sense. The information on this site may be not be accurate
and/or current; it is merely intended as a general reference for those interested in taking up the challenge of climbing some of America's
highest peaks. This author provides no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided on this site is accurate or
reliable. No climber should reach a trailhead without being properly prepared, including being properly conditioned, experienced,
supplied, and equipped. Equipment should include a comprehensive guide in book form complete with local maps, etc. One fine example of
such a guide, which is frequently cited on this website, is Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners (available below through
Amazon.com). Note that Dawson's Guide is two separate volumes, one for Colorado's northern peaks and one for Colorado's southern
peaks. A book on mountaineering safety which includes detailed discussions on altitude sickness and weather reading wouldn't be a bad
investment either.
Climb with care and use your best judgement; if in doubt about any of the information provided on this site, consult multiple additional
sources and, at the end of the day, err on the side of caution when judging local conditions (including erosion, human interference,
weather, and other factors) for yourself. Also, please respect private property rights and be aware that crossing private property under
any circumstances without permission is trespassing; it is your responsibility to determine if land is privately owned and to obtain
the necessary permissions.
And here are a few tips to make your first Fourteener all that much more safe and enjoyable:
Be sure you're in good physical condition; if you're not, maybe a drive up
Mt. Evans or
Pikes Peak isn't such a bad idea
Before you start climbing Fourteeners, consider taking a mountaineering class
Before you head out of town, tell at least one person when you're leaving, where you're staying or camping, when and where you'll be
hiking (including specific trail), and when you plan on getting back
Check the weather forecast (though be aware that the weather in the Rockies can be a fickle affair)
Check with the US Forest Service for road and trailhead closures and other information
If climbing in winter, check for current avalanche danger (avalanches are one good reason to save mountain climbing for the summer)
Consider packing the following for a summer hike, which is by no means a complete list (especially for a winter hike):
Food and plenty of water (consider a water filter if you're out for a multi-day hike)
Hat which shades the back of your neck (the sun is very powerful at high altitudes)
Gloves (it gets cool at higher elevations, even in the middle of summer)
Long underwear
Waterproof outer jacket
Hiking boots
Thick hiking socks
Sturdy waterproof watch (plan on not getting cellular service, and your cell phone could easily get wet)
Local and detailed topographic maps, and be sure to study those maps before you leave for the trailhead
Backpack
Headlamp (be prepared for all contingencies, including being stuck out after dark)
At least two pairs of sunglasses (the high-altitude sun is as bright as it is powerful; losing a pair of sunglasses can lead to retinal
damage)
Swiss Army knife
Compass and/or GPS (preferrably one that provides barometric information - rapidly dropping pressure usually means bad weather is on its way)
Matches and lighter
Sunblock (SPF 30)
Toilet paper in ziplock bag (plan on anything and everything getting wet)
Cell phone for when you can get service (if you've got a satellite phone, bring it)
First aid kit
Climbing helmet
Trekking poles
And don't forget the following if you're planning on camping overnight:
Tent
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag
When you do start, start early to avoid possible afternoon thunderstorms and to give yourself as much daylight as possible in the event that something
goes wrong: a 6am start up the trail isn't a bad idea, and plan on being down off the summit and below treeline before noon
Be sure you're familiar with the symptoms of altitude sickness before you get to higher elevations, and get to a lower elevation
ASAP if they appear
Understand if your body is giving you other signals that it's time to turn back
Understand if your route and/or the weather is giving you signals that it's time to turn back
Keep a safe distance between you and other hikers (falling rock from those climbing above is a danger)
Be respectful of your surroundings and hike quietly (and if you need to be told to leave the headphones at home, you might want to
consider the fact that mountain climbing is not for you)
Keep an eye out for, and stay away from, wildlife, not all of it necessarily friendly: bears, bighorn sheep, cougars, deer, elk,
marmots, mountain goats, etc.
Stick to the trails; you might be injured and never be found (at least by humans)
Stay off frozen rivers and lakes
Remember that dark, brewing clouds are bad (head back down ASAP - lightning is the biggest danger during summer hiking)
Remember that high altitudes can impair your memory and judgement
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