Hiking and Climbing 14ers
Whether you enjoy trail hikes and day hikes or are a little more adventurous and you want to scale sheer cliffs, hiking and climbing fourteeners or mountains that are over fourteen thousand feet in height is exhilarating. The term fourteeners (14ers) is used in the US and it is particularly pertinent in the Colorado area, where there are more than fifty such peaks .
Hiking and climbing fourteeners can be very strenuous at times but is very rewarding. With over fifty 14ers in Colorado there is a mountain to climb for every technical skill level. If you want a climb thats good for a beginner, Mt. Bierstadt West Slope trailhead is a great hike. If you are looking for a good challenge try Little Bear Peak, the climb to the summit is loose and dangerous.
Before climbing a 14er you should plan and prepare.
Your basic planning and preparing should consist of:
-Being in proper physical shape to make the trip
-Researching the route
-Checking the weather forecast
-Letting someone know when you are leaving and where you are hiking.
-Acquiring appropriate maps and info on the area.
-Knowing the risks and symptoms of altitude sickness
-Packing the proper gear for the hike.
Climbing equipment of various kinds is required for scaling some of the fourteeners in North America. Hiking through mountainous terrain can take its toll, as oxygen is less prevalent in areas of high altitude. Acclimatising yourself to the higher altitudes before attempting to scale a mountain is often at the very least encouraged.
Remember climbing 14ers can be very dangerous and many people have lost their lives on the mountains. Whether you are hiking a mountain with a prominent trail or one that requires climbing gear, all 14ers have exposure and areas to fall, so always watch your step.