2014 the year of the fourteener

In Colorado it isn't about how many hikes you have done or how many miles you have packed. It is all about the fourteeners (14er). I had no clue about this when I moved to this beautiful state, but the longer you are on the trails and in REI you learn about "bagging" a 14er and how it is a right of passage.

First let me explain what this is. In our new home state we have the Rocky Mountain Range. This jaw dropping range spans from Alaska and Northern Canada down to central New Mexico. So why is it when you think of the Rockies you think of Colorado? That is because this range reaches its highest peaks in good old CO, and we have the Continental Divide as well. This divide decides where the water sheds go; either to the Pacific or Atlantic. It is interesting to know when it rains or snows it is going to both the coasts that G and I were raised on. Just another reason why CO seems to be a good happy medium for us.

Anyway depending on who you ask there are 55 or 53 mountain peaks that reach an elevation of 14,000 feet or higher. Hence the name a 14er. Our smallest 14er is 14,001 feet high and is called Sunshine Peak. Our tallest mountain stands at 14,433 feet, and is called Mount Elbert. While I know that Colorado does not have the highest mountain peak in the lower 48, we do have the most. The record for the tallest goes back to my home state of California, with Mount Whitney standing a an elevation of 14,505 feet. We aren't to far off though. So why the 55 or 53 difference? To be classified as a fourteener the general rule is that the summit (or top) must rise at least 300 feet from its connecting saddle (or the little dip of land between peaks) to a taller peak. However, there are a few that don't have this little dip of a saddle so therefore cannot technically be called a unique peak of over 14,000 feet.  "A rose by any other name smell as sweet." Being up that high on your own two feet is just as hard no matter if there is a 300ft saddle dip or not.

We felt it was poetic to do our first 14er in the year of 2014. So planning started with our friends newly married Mr and Mrs M. We started looking at the crazy long list of these peaks and thought that Mount Massive might be a good start. We had the idea of packing in and making camp  at the tree line (AKA where the trees stop growing on the mountain due to the elevation and harsh environment). This line is normally around 10,000-12,000 feet depending on how far north or south you are in the range. Once we were up and going the next morning we would summit and then come back down and break up camp, and then head off for a much deserved burger.

As with some group outings time ran away with us and our season of hiking was going to be coming to a close faster than we wanted. Also, some more wonderful friends moved to our state, and wanted to join our group up into the clouds. Once all schedules were decided the weekend of my birthday ended up fitting best. While Mount Massive might have to wait we decided to climb Quandary Peak.

We were up and moving super early in the morning. Not the best wake up call to my 32nd year of life, but it would prove to be worth it. We all met at a park and ride and then carpooled west to the base of the trailhead located just near Breckenridge. Not wanting to do any technical climbing that might require ropes or an ice pick axe we choose the Class 1 route. All trails have a ranking of class. Class 1 is considered the easiest and Class 5 considered the hardest and or most dangerous.

We were on the trail around 6ish and the climb started right away. Starting elevation for our hike was 10,850 feet. Even living in the mile high, you still feel the effects of elevation on your body. Now I should have paid attention to our elevation gain and our total miles. If I would have I would have noticed that we climb 1,000+ feet for every mile. The whole way was a climb with the last push being the most steep.

G and Mr. B enjoying the view on the way up.

I have found that it is not helpful for me to greet people who have already bagged a peak and are heading back down. They are happy and enjoying life since already being on the top and tend to tell you that you are almost there only 300, or 200 feet left to go. This doesn't help my burning lungs or legs move any more. I just want to put my head down and get to the top, but I do take the much needed breaks to stop and enjoy the view as I go. Yes I was the pokey little puppy of my group and I am ok with that. Because the people I was hiking with are amazing, and there is no other group I would have wanted to conquer Quandary with then them.

Mr. B standing tall. 

On the trail we ran into some mountain goats. They were so cute, but you could feel it would be best to keep your distance. They aren't stupid animals. The worn trail is the easiest route up and down and they had no problem taking the trail making some people go around. They moved so easily up so high, it was amazing to see them up there. Normally above the tree line I have only seen spiders, whistle pigs (aka marmots), deer mice, and western jumping mice.

One of the Mountain Goats on the trail. 

Mama and Baby.

The summit was beautiful. I don't know how to fully describe what it feels like to finally make up to the top of a mountain so tall. I guess it would be similar to the first time you ever stand in front of an ocean. You just have an awe for the enormity of nature before you. How it just goes on and on as far as you can see. Along with the ocean the mountains demand a supreme amount of respect and caution. Being up so high you have to pay attention to the weather forecast since it can change so fast up so high. That is one reason we started so early. The Denver area is known for its summer afternoon thunder storms. But while you are up there you can't help but sit, get a bite to eat and look at the different, fast changing, cloud formations. You also have to take advantage of the photo op to prove that you made it. We made all the way to a 14, 265 feet summit of Quandary!

G made it!

The Survey Mark for Quandary

32 years old and standing on top of the world

It is wonderful to make it to the top and down safely with wonderful people. But the best part for me is to get to the bottom and look back up to where you were standing. It is amazing to know that your own two feet got you all the way to the top and back down. Well, lets be honest the encouragement of lovely friends also helped. Plus it was an epic birthday. I don't think I will every be able to say that friends and random fellow hikers sang Happy Birthday to me 14,265 feet above sea level ever again.

We hope to do more and more 14ers with our stay here in Colorado. They are hard, you hurt for days after, but the memories and experience is nothing like I have ever done before.

The whole group. From SD to CO and on top of the world.