The Steps to Successfully Hike a 14er

Photo Credit: Zach Zahorik

How to Successfully Hike a 14er

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Table of Contents
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Introduction___________________________________________________________________3 Training______________________________________________________________________3 Choosing a 14er_______________________________________________________________4 Preparing Equipment________________________________________________________4 The Day of_____________________________________________________________________5 On the trail____________________________________________________________________5 Resources____________________________________________________________________8

VIII. Works Cited________________________________________________________________9

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In the United States, there are approximately 88 mountain peaks that achieve a height of at least 14,000 ft. This distinction has given these mountains the title of 14ers in the United States and some have taken it upon themselves to hike to the top of these peaks. This is a challenging aspiration, but with hard work and preparation, is an achievable goal. In striving for this goal, always be aware of your personal limitations, as thinner air and ascending a mountain will be taxing on everyone. If you are not relatively fit this will be more challenging, and though not unobtainable, you will have a better chance of success if you train prior to attempting the ascent. This manual will provide you with the knowledge needed to attempt such a hike, while also going over safety information, and what to expect while hiking. If you follow this guide, you and your friends can succeed in hiking up a 14,000 foot peak. ______________________________________________________________________

II. Training
This is by far the most subjective part of the manual because everyone has different limits. The most critical thing is to know your limits. Do not push yourself too hard the day before the hike. Training will be different for each person, depending on their existing level of fitness. We recommend that you start training a month before your hike. The higher altitude you train at the easier the hike will be. Below is a potential training schedule for an eight mile hike, broken down by week: 1. 2. 3. 4. Walk a distance of three miles once. Walk two miles, twice a week and five miles once. Walk three miles, three times a week, and seven miles once. Walk four miles, three times a week, and eight miles once.

The intent of this style of training is to improve the hikers endurance at distance, while maintaining the muscle endurance between long walks. If you would prefer the hike to be even more attainable, travel more than the distance of the chosen 14er hike. Doing this training will not give you the strength to sprint to the peak, but it will make getting to the peak that much more attainable. Something often ignored is the change in altitude you will be experiencing. As you rise in altitude, the air becomes thinner. In common terms, this means you will get winded more quickly. Do not be afraid to step off the trail for a moment to catch your breath.

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III. Choosing a 14er

WARNING When looking at the 14ers, consider Know your limits! Once you hike up the actual distance (miles), but also the mountain, you still have to hike note the vertical distance (gain in feet). back down. Often the parking lot at This does not mean you will be scaling the base of the mountain is the a rock face vertically, but it means how closest a car can get. much higher the summit is compared to your starting location. The final height of the mountain does not change; however, ascending a staircase (a mountain) is more tiring then walking across the same distance on a flat surface (a city sidewalk). To obtain details on the hike and other general information, we recommend visiting sites like 14ers.com (Colorado) or asking your local Ranger department for information. Please see the resources section for more information.

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IV. Preparing Equipment

What is a hiker without his or her equipment? There is no equipment standard but below are the essential items you should bring: Water Food Pack Hiking Boots Comfortable clothing to wear in layers Sunscreen Hat First Aid kit Raingear

Food and Water: Some things like food and water may seem obvious, but there is no running water on the mountain so if you do not have enough you will pay for it. Alternatively, bringing too much will make your backpack heavier than it needs to be, making you tire more quickly. Recommended foods are protein and fiber based foods, which can take plenty of abuse and not go bad for months. Some examples of this are dried fruit, beef jerky, trail mix, and tuna and crackers. Some of these can be found at a local grocer, or at outdooring retailers.

Photo Credit: life123.com

Clothing: Understand the nature of the clothing you are wearing. Cotton is great and comfortable, but if it gets wet then it will never dry. Synthetics often are not as cheap as cotton, however the quick drying and warmth they provide. Typical hiking socks are synthetics or wool, this way moisture is drawn away from your feet to keep them dry. Not only that, but additionally these two fabrics will keep you warm even if you get wet. Layers should also be worn as before the sun is up, it is cool, and after it is usually
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pretty warm. It will be helpful to be able to shed a sweatshirt instead of toughing it out in the heat. We have covered a lot about staying dry, and it is also advisable to bring a poncho or similar light weight rain gear. The benefit of the disposable ponchos is often they are a vibrant color like red, allowing for a rescue crew to easily spot you if need be.

V. The Day Of
Tell someone: Let someone know when you will leave and plan to return, along with where you are going. If you get lost this persons information will guide rescue to you. This is critical; cell service is inconsistent on the mountains so you cannot count on phoning a friend if During Thunderstorms, being on or something goes wrong. Telling someone could be the near a mountain is extremely difference between being found in hours compared to hazardous. No matter how close weeks. you are to summiting the peak; turn Arrive Early: To provide the best chance of success on a 14er, it is ideal to start on the trail at about 7am or sunrise. This gives you five hours to get to the summit before the noon deadline. Additionally, distance is covered while it is still cool, but hikers can still easily see the trail once the sun has risen just a little. ______________________________________________________________________
back at noon or if the weather becomes dangerous. Hiking 14ers can be fun, but hikers have died because of lightning strikes.

VI. On the Trail

While on the trail, there is basic etiquette to follow:

Frequently there are animals present on these mountains. Be alert so you can both be respectful of their home and avoid provoking them.

Pack it in, pack it outThis refers to trash and all other wastes. These mountains are part of nature and there are not cleaning crews that periodically pick up trash or anything left behind. So in the interest of allowing others the chance to enjoy the mountain; do not leave anything you brought with you on the mountain. The saying to help remember that is, Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time. Stay on the trail- It is there for a reason, to keep the natural beauty of the mountain present for the next hiker.

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Yield to uphill travelers- When you are traveling down the mountain, you are exerting significantly less energy, and you are on your way out. Those still ascending should have priority and keep their momentum moving. Call out when passing- Just like driving, let someone know when you are passing them. For example, on your left.

Say hello- It is great for others to know they are around friendly people, even if you are just saying hey. It makes hiking that much more enjoyable. If nothing else, if you get hurt, the kindness of strangers will get you to safety.

Trail Markers: While on the hike, the trail is typically well defined in the trees or while other vegetation is present. However it becomes problematic for there to be a worn path when there is little plant life above tree line. Tree line is the point that trees can no longer grow due to inhospitable conditions. On a mountain, this is typically near the peak and in Colorado is at about 11,000 feet. After tree line, there is only stone to mark the trail, typically stacked similarly to Figure 1. Once above tree line you must keep your eyes open for Figure 1- Photo Credit: iStock Photo these important trail guides. Lost? If you lose the trail and you cannot see other hikers there are a few steps you should take: Attempt to retrace your steps but if unsuccessful, keep heading up the mountain until you can see the trail. If you are injured or it is likely a search is being performed to find you, stay put and try and signal where you are with clothing of non-natural colors. If you have to move, mark your path and what direction you are going to aid rescuers. Altitude Sickness: Above 8,000 feet is when signs of altitude sickness commonly appear. Note that often, the parking lot for the 14er is at or above this height. Be sure to drink plenty of water and if you become ill, descend to a better altitude as quickly as possible. Drinking water helps with altitude sickness; staying hydrated can keep you on the hike. Some signs of altitude sickness are: Light headedness Fatigue Headache Nausea/Vomiting

Confusion

If caught early, descending will eliminate the sickness. However there is the possibility of liquid in the lungs and a swelling of the brain, both due to inadequate oxygen. If you show signs of Altitude Sickness (also known as Mountain Sickness), you should return

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to the base of the mountain. Trying again in the future is better than dying on the mountain. Past Tree Line: When the trees stop the terrain turns to rocks that get larger as you ascend, BE CAREFUL OF LOOSE ROCKS. Additionally, be sure of your footing as some gaps in the rocks could cause you to injure your ankle (breaking it) if you try to move while it is trapped. Summiting: Once you have reached the summit, look for a white PVC tube that has a paper with the name of the mountain and its elevation. Be sure to take a photo with it and take in the view, before heading back down. Descending is significantly easier, and allows you to really enjoy all you struggled to asend. You now know everything necessary to attempt to hike a 14er.

Photo Credit: Zach Zahorik

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VII. Resources
For 14er information: 14ers.com NPS.gov (National Park Service)

For Equipment Purchases: REI (www.rei.com) Bass Pro Shop (www.basspro.com) Sports Authority (www.sportsauthority.com) Other Outdoor or Sports retailers ______________________________________________________________________ Contact with any Questions or Concerns: email@14ers.com (720)-505-1414 M-F 8am-5pm

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Works Cited "14ers." 14ers.com Home of Colorado's Fourteeners and High Peaks. 14ers Inc., 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "Acute Mountain Sickness." PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Hiking Dude. "Hiking Etiquette." Hiking Dude. Hiking Dude, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "Inukshuk Trail Marker." IStock Photo: Royalty Free Stock Photography, Vector Art Images, Music & Video Stock Footage. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Ireland, Jae. "The Best Foods for Hiking." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG, 2 May 2010. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Rich, Maeve. "Hiking Equipment Guide." Life123. Life123, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.

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