• Jack-it Night: April 2024 RS Meeting Hey Guest: Wed. April 3rd is the next Rising Sun meeting, and you won't want to miss it. We're doing our annual offroad recovery equipment demonstration and trail skills training aka "Jack It Night." Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. (early) Click here for all the details.

Does anyone here like hiking 14ers? In the winter?

stusic

Land Use Coordinator
Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
577
Location
Denver, CO
I've hiked a few 14ers in the winter, but they've all been solo. Wouldn't mind having another buddy to go with. Was looking at Mt. Sherman this weekend, but the wind looks friggin terrible (-35° wind chill). Might pass, but only because I'd be doing it solo. Any other masochists here?
 

subzali

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
Messages
10,309
Location
Denver CO
I’ve done the decalibron in late November twice. Bierstadt in April. That’s the closest to winter I’ve gotten. More of a fair weather hiker now. Guess I’m getting soft
 

LARGEONE

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Messages
2,852
Location
Broomfield, CO
I used to, especially just prior to hiking (climbing) Rainier. Not any more, due to physical injuries.

…which reminds me that I have quite a bit of mountaineering gear in the basement that needs to be sold. Boots, crampons, harnesses, etc. I need to get on that.
 

stusic

Land Use Coordinator
Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
577
Location
Denver, CO
I used to, especially just prior to hiking (climbing) Rainier. Not any more, due to physical injuries.

…which reminds me that I have quite a bit of mountaineering gear in the basement that needs to be sold. Boots, crampons, harnesses, etc. I need to get on that.
Lemme know what you got bro
 

LARGEONE

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Messages
2,852
Location
Broomfield, CO
I’ll have to go through it when I run out of tractor projects! 😂
 

Cruisertrash

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
1,950
Location
Denver
I've hiked a few 14ers in the winter, but they've all been solo. Wouldn't mind having another buddy to go with. Was looking at Mt. Sherman this weekend, but the wind looks friggin terrible (-35° wind chill). Might pass, but only because I'd be doing it solo. Any other masochists here?
I've never hiked a 14er but f*** it I'll do one in the winter. Or at least try. I'm supposed to scout the eastern route up Antero for a boy scout trip I'm planning for Cass' troop this summer.....
 

ColoradoMntMan

Rising Sun Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
114
Location
Arvada
I'm your huckleberry! I just climbed Denali in Alaska in June...and right now I'm ice climbing in Ouray. So suffice it to say climbing mountains in the winter is my thing. I've used Sherman in the winter as training grounds for other hikes, it's a fun climb but can be very windy at the top of the ridge. DM me and let's see if we can figure out a time to hike.
 

stusic

Land Use Coordinator
Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
577
Location
Denver, CO
I've never hiked a 14er but f*** it I'll do one in the winter. Or at least try. I'm supposed to scout the eastern route up Antero for a boy scout trip I'm planning for Cass' troop this summer.....
I did Shivano last winter, Antero is right around the corner from it and a pretty easy jaunt afaik.
 

stusic

Land Use Coordinator
Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
577
Location
Denver, CO
I'm your huckleberry! I just climbed Denali in Alaska in June...and right now I'm ice climbing in Ouray. So suffice it to say climbing mountains in the winter is my thing. I've used Sherman in the winter as training grounds for other hikes, it's a fun climb but can be very windy at the top of the ridge. DM me and let's see if we can figure out a time to hike.
Nice! I did a couple winter attempts on Rainier. I was just down in Ouray over Thanksgiving, but it was spent getting fat and sitting in the hot springs. I've done 10 14ers out here in the winter. Sherman, La Plata, Massive are in my list for this winter.
 

stusic

Land Use Coordinator
Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
577
Location
Denver, CO
I’ve done the decalibron in late November twice. Bierstadt in April. That’s the closest to winter I’ve gotten. More of a fair weather hiker now. Guess I’m getting soft
Late November can easily be winter conditions
 

DaveInDenver

Rising Sun Ham Guru
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
12,948
Location
Grand Junction
Just yesterday I was tying up a new cowstail for my SRT rig in anticipation for a grotto training day at the gym that was unfortunately punted by the membership. That made me sad. Hearing of this makes me less sad.

So, well, I'm nowhere near the climber as Erik but happy to drag my old butt out for lighter mountaineering (call me open to probably class 2+ if pressed) if you're doing something on the western side.
 
Last edited:

KC Masterpiece

Hard Core 4+
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
1,291
I'm game. Depending on the peak.

Did Capitol in late November once. Snow on the route but I really would not consider that winter. I would consider winter conditions from Jan to March. It is a completely different game from a summer ascent. We just lost two snowshoes on Hoosier pass to a natural slide they didn't even trigger.

Even on some of the easy routes I would not want to attempt a winter ascent without avy gear. Maybe on Quandry.
 
Last edited:
Top