Training on the Colorado 14ers

I have the opportunity to do a Colorado 14er just about any time I want. Within an hour drive of where I live in Summit County there are a half dozen Fourteeners to choose from. I encourage my friends, including those I coach, to climb them whenever they can for training and building a base of acclimatization.

13 year old son on winter ascent of Quandary - summit pole

Last year I wrote the first draft of a training manual designed for the first-timer at hiking a 14er in Colorado.

Couch to Colorado 14er

I let over 100 people download and review it, and offer suggestions. I sorted through those and have recently finished the final draft. I'm making it available as an ebook and in print, and with supplementary email, Skype, and Hangouts coaching and support, as well as members-only audio and video enhancement.

If you're curious, check it out HERE to pre-register to be notified first when it's available.

Do a 14er in '14!

I want 1000 people to commit to climb a 14er this year. Take the challenge.

I had someone respond to this with a statement about environmental responsibility. I can see the potential for confusion, since it's maybe not 100% clear that I don't mean all 1000 at once, on the same trail at the same time.

In regards to Pikes Peak:

More than 500,000 people reach the summit house every year by the Pikes Peak Highway, Barr Trail or the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

And of that number:

About 15,000 people a year attempt to climb Pikes Peak on foot. The 13-mile trail begins at the base of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs.

These numbers are from the respected WWF [Article] and I generally believe them to be conservative. On my hikes in the mountains around me, I have seen various Colorado climbing groups having as many as 100 members hanging out on top at the same time. I have passed twice as many as that on Grays and Quandary on a weekday in the summer.

Summit of Torreys with Todd Gilles and about 100 others

I feel safe to say that in any given year some number between 100,000 to 200,000 hikers are on a Colorado 14er trail over the course of any given summer. 1000 extra hikers over the course of that same summer is .5-1.0% additional hikers. It's almost insignificant.

If you're ready to get a 14er summit this summer, go check out my Seven Summits Body blog  HERE and register now to receive a free download of my ebook "Planning Your Home Cardio Theater" and learn how to train in the comfort and convenience of your own home. I'll let you know when pre-orders are available for the books and training programs.

Do a 14er in '14!