Personally I do hike alone from time to time. I actually enjoy it. The time alone in the wilderness just seems to feed my soul and recharge my batteries. However, I only do this on terrain that I am comfortable with. I know my skills and I wouldn't go on a long scramble alone. This being said, it is always a good idea to have a partner.
Being in the wilderness puts yourself susceptible to certain risks. It is always safer to have a partner to help out in case something does go wrong. It really doesn't take much to sprain an ankle on loose rock or have something worse happen. Besides, a companion is always fun to chat with. I always seem to learn fascinating things about people when in the wilderness. There is none of that city B.S. People tend to open up and be real in the mountains.
If you don't have a friend who is into hiking mountains there are many other ways to get in touch with others who share your love for the mountains. Post a message on14ers.com or any other online place where fellow climbers hang out. Chances are you will find someone into hiking with you. Or ask around the local outdoor store. They may have ideas about local people who are looking to hook up for a hike.
Check it out and stay safe.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Risks and Dangers of Hiking Mountains
Overall mountain climbing is not a very dangerous sport. Thousands of people climb one or more of the Colorado 14ers each year with no problems. However, it is also important to point out that people do die each year in the Colorado back country. Death and serious injury can be caused by lightning, exposure to the elements, and falling from rocks and ledges.
While I don't consider climbing a 14,000 foot peak to be putting my life at risk, it is important to understand the risks that are involved. You may encounter a bear or mountain lion but the chance of being attacked by an animal in the Colorado wilderness is much less likely than people in the city would like to believe.
Lightning is a serious risk. Being up above the tree line makes you susceptible to being struck directly by lightning. Lightning kills people each year in Colorado and a direct hit is almost always fatal. The best advice to avoid being caught in a lightning storm is to start early. Thunderstorms roll in in the afternoons. It is best to summit in the morning and be headed down shortly after noon. Also, it is important to keep an eye on the clouds. If a storm is moving in get down. Anytime you see lightning or hear thunder it is important to get down to lower elevation immediately. There is too much risk in standing on top of a 14er in a thunderstorm.
Exposure to the elements takes lives every year too. Usually this happens when someone becomes lost in the wilderness and is forced to spend the night outside. Often day hikers with light jackets get caught out all night without a sleeping bag or jacket warm enough for the freezing night temperatures. Obviously, you can carry a sleeping bag and tent with you on every hike. The key is to know where you are, where you are going, and make sure someone knows where you went if you don't make it out. Bring a map and know how to read it. I always study the map the night before so I know what other mountains are around the one I'm climbing. This gives me the ability to recognize mountain features and keep me headed in the right direction. GPS unit are also very helpful but be sure to have plenty of batteries.
Falls from rocks and ledges. People die every year in the Colorado back country from slipping off rocks. If you are rock climbing know the dangers and bring a rope. If you are hiking, don't climb a rock. Some scrambling is fun but know what you are doing and don't put yourself at risk.
Be smart out there. Don't get yourself into more than you can handle and know when to turn around.
While I don't consider climbing a 14,000 foot peak to be putting my life at risk, it is important to understand the risks that are involved. You may encounter a bear or mountain lion but the chance of being attacked by an animal in the Colorado wilderness is much less likely than people in the city would like to believe.
Lightning is a serious risk. Being up above the tree line makes you susceptible to being struck directly by lightning. Lightning kills people each year in Colorado and a direct hit is almost always fatal. The best advice to avoid being caught in a lightning storm is to start early. Thunderstorms roll in in the afternoons. It is best to summit in the morning and be headed down shortly after noon. Also, it is important to keep an eye on the clouds. If a storm is moving in get down. Anytime you see lightning or hear thunder it is important to get down to lower elevation immediately. There is too much risk in standing on top of a 14er in a thunderstorm.
Exposure to the elements takes lives every year too. Usually this happens when someone becomes lost in the wilderness and is forced to spend the night outside. Often day hikers with light jackets get caught out all night without a sleeping bag or jacket warm enough for the freezing night temperatures. Obviously, you can carry a sleeping bag and tent with you on every hike. The key is to know where you are, where you are going, and make sure someone knows where you went if you don't make it out. Bring a map and know how to read it. I always study the map the night before so I know what other mountains are around the one I'm climbing. This gives me the ability to recognize mountain features and keep me headed in the right direction. GPS unit are also very helpful but be sure to have plenty of batteries.
Falls from rocks and ledges. People die every year in the Colorado back country from slipping off rocks. If you are rock climbing know the dangers and bring a rope. If you are hiking, don't climb a rock. Some scrambling is fun but know what you are doing and don't put yourself at risk.
Be smart out there. Don't get yourself into more than you can handle and know when to turn around.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace (LNT) Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national and international designed to help outdoor enthusiasts reduce their impact on the environment while they are hiking, camping, or doing any other activity in the outdoors. The program promotes responsible use of recreational site and educates lovers of the outdoors to make conscious decisions when pursuing their passions. It is not a set of rules and regulations but an overall awareness program for those that enjoy the outdoors.
There are seven principles in the LNT program:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize Campfire impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of other visitors
You can find out more details about these 7 principles at the LNT site. I recommend you make yourself away of these principles so you can reduce your impact on these wonderful areas so that other, including your children and grandchildren can enjoy them in the same beautiful state that you have.
There are seven principles in the LNT program:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize Campfire impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of other visitors
You can find out more details about these 7 principles at the LNT site. I recommend you make yourself away of these principles so you can reduce your impact on these wonderful areas so that other, including your children and grandchildren can enjoy them in the same beautiful state that you have.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness also known as Acute Mountain Sickness is an illness that can affect hikers, climbers, skiers, and travelers. The symptoms of Altitude Sickness occur at high Altitudes generally above 8,000 feet above sea level.
The sickness is caused by a combination of reduced air pressure and lower oxygen concentration present at high altitude. Seriousness can range from very mild headaches to life threatening. The risk increases with the speed in which the individual has gained the elevation. It is generally recommended the someone from sea level not fly into Colorado and climb a 14ers the first day. You can reduce your risk by spending a night in a high elevation town before reaching 14,000 feet. It is a good idea to do a little hiking at elevations above 8,000 feet before you try a higher climb. You should also drink lots of liquids, avoid alcohol, and eat regular meals to reduce your risk.
Symptoms of a mild case include:
Difficulty sleeping
Dizziness or light-headedness
Fatigue
Headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Increased heart rate
Shortness of breath with exertion
Symptoms associated with severe altitude sickness include:
Bluish discoloration of the skin
Chest tightness or congestion
Confusion
Cough
Coughing up blood
Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
Gray or pale complexion
Inability to walk in a straight line, or to walk at all
Shortness of breath at rest
Treatment:
The best thing you can do if you or someone in your party is experiencing Altitude sickness is to get down to a lower elevation. If you are hiking turn around and lose as much elevation as possible. If you have bottled oxygen available use it.
The altitude affects everyone differently. Some people get sick right away and others never notice the difference. The key is to drink lots of water and be aware of how you and others in your group are feeling. Don't push on when you aren't feeling well. You don't want to put yourself at risk. Be smart. The mountain will be there tomorrow after you have acclimated.
The sickness is caused by a combination of reduced air pressure and lower oxygen concentration present at high altitude. Seriousness can range from very mild headaches to life threatening. The risk increases with the speed in which the individual has gained the elevation. It is generally recommended the someone from sea level not fly into Colorado and climb a 14ers the first day. You can reduce your risk by spending a night in a high elevation town before reaching 14,000 feet. It is a good idea to do a little hiking at elevations above 8,000 feet before you try a higher climb. You should also drink lots of liquids, avoid alcohol, and eat regular meals to reduce your risk.
Symptoms of a mild case include:
Difficulty sleeping
Dizziness or light-headedness
Fatigue
Headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Increased heart rate
Shortness of breath with exertion
Symptoms associated with severe altitude sickness include:
Bluish discoloration of the skin
Chest tightness or congestion
Confusion
Cough
Coughing up blood
Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
Gray or pale complexion
Inability to walk in a straight line, or to walk at all
Shortness of breath at rest
Treatment:
The best thing you can do if you or someone in your party is experiencing Altitude sickness is to get down to a lower elevation. If you are hiking turn around and lose as much elevation as possible. If you have bottled oxygen available use it.
The altitude affects everyone differently. Some people get sick right away and others never notice the difference. The key is to drink lots of water and be aware of how you and others in your group are feeling. Don't push on when you aren't feeling well. You don't want to put yourself at risk. Be smart. The mountain will be there tomorrow after you have acclimated.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Rating System
How hard is this mountain to climb? How do these two peaks compare in difficulty?
Difficulty is such a subjective matter. It depends on the skills of the climber. Something that seems very easy to one person may be nearly impossible to another less experience hiker. When someone talks about how easy or hard something is it is important to consider the differences in ability and experience.
The generally accepted rating system in the climbing community is known as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). A rating for a route has four parts: Grade, Class, Snow Steepness, and Length. Snow Steepness and Length are pretty self explanatory so I will focus on Grade and Class in this post. Grade rates the overall difficulty of the entire route while Class rates the hardest part of the route.
Grade is expressed in roman numerals from I to VII. The higher the number the harder the overall route. For example a Grade I is a short day hike up to 3,000 feet of elevation gain and little or no technical climbing. A Grade II is a Day Hike with over 3,000 feet of elevation gained and possibly some technical climbing required. A Grade III is a long day climb with over 6,000 feet gained, a fair amount of technical climbing required or a considerable amount of scrambling possibly with some exposure. A Grade IV is a very long day. It would require a great deal of elevation gain and/or considerable technical climbing and scrambling.
Class is classified by numbers 1 through 5.14. Classes 1 to 4 are rated in whole numbers only. At 5 a decimal place is used to denote each bit of increased difficulty. Class 1 is hiking on a defined trail or or in open country which is as easy as hiking on a trail. Class 2 is hiking off the trail usually requiring some bushwhacking or climbing on a talus slope. In Class 2 you are not yet using your hands. Class 3 is the easiest category of climbing. People generally call Class 3 climbing 'scrambling'. You are now using basic climbing including the use of your hands. Class 4 is for even more climbing. Not only are you using your hands but you may have to search for and select handholds. You are using your upper body to continuing gaining elevation not just your legs. Class 5 is technical climbing. Most people prefer to use a rope as exposure is present. You are not not hiking but definitely climbing.
Difficulty is such a subjective matter. It depends on the skills of the climber. Something that seems very easy to one person may be nearly impossible to another less experience hiker. When someone talks about how easy or hard something is it is important to consider the differences in ability and experience.
The generally accepted rating system in the climbing community is known as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). A rating for a route has four parts: Grade, Class, Snow Steepness, and Length. Snow Steepness and Length are pretty self explanatory so I will focus on Grade and Class in this post. Grade rates the overall difficulty of the entire route while Class rates the hardest part of the route.
Grade is expressed in roman numerals from I to VII. The higher the number the harder the overall route. For example a Grade I is a short day hike up to 3,000 feet of elevation gain and little or no technical climbing. A Grade II is a Day Hike with over 3,000 feet of elevation gained and possibly some technical climbing required. A Grade III is a long day climb with over 6,000 feet gained, a fair amount of technical climbing required or a considerable amount of scrambling possibly with some exposure. A Grade IV is a very long day. It would require a great deal of elevation gain and/or considerable technical climbing and scrambling.
Class is classified by numbers 1 through 5.14. Classes 1 to 4 are rated in whole numbers only. At 5 a decimal place is used to denote each bit of increased difficulty. Class 1 is hiking on a defined trail or or in open country which is as easy as hiking on a trail. Class 2 is hiking off the trail usually requiring some bushwhacking or climbing on a talus slope. In Class 2 you are not yet using your hands. Class 3 is the easiest category of climbing. People generally call Class 3 climbing 'scrambling'. You are now using basic climbing including the use of your hands. Class 4 is for even more climbing. Not only are you using your hands but you may have to search for and select handholds. You are using your upper body to continuing gaining elevation not just your legs. Class 5 is technical climbing. Most people prefer to use a rope as exposure is present. You are not not hiking but definitely climbing.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Easiest 14ers Near the Front Range
One of the most common questions on message boards is always: What is the easiest 14er? Or Which 14er is a good first climb for a beginner? Or What 14er is close to Denver?
The two 14ers that I suggest a beginner start with to get a taste of altitude on their first 14er hike is Quandary or Bierstadt.
The Quandary standard route up the east ridge is a nice hike. It is a semi gradual slope all the way up the ridge to the top. You can follow a trail (and often a line of people) all the way to the summit. The trail head is located south of Breckenridge just off of highway 9. More info available here.
Mount Bierstadt is an easy climb from the West Slopes accessible from Guanella Pass. This is a nice easy hike with no exposure. The trail is good and the terrain is easy for most beginners. The trail head is on Guanella Pass Road south of Georgetown. More info available here.
I would suggest either of these two to get a taste of climbing Fourteeners. Other easy peaks include Mount Sherman, Mount Elbert, Handies Peak, Grays, and Torreys.
The two 14ers that I suggest a beginner start with to get a taste of altitude on their first 14er hike is Quandary or Bierstadt.
The Quandary standard route up the east ridge is a nice hike. It is a semi gradual slope all the way up the ridge to the top. You can follow a trail (and often a line of people) all the way to the summit. The trail head is located south of Breckenridge just off of highway 9. More info available here.
Mount Bierstadt is an easy climb from the West Slopes accessible from Guanella Pass. This is a nice easy hike with no exposure. The trail is good and the terrain is easy for most beginners. The trail head is on Guanella Pass Road south of Georgetown. More info available here.
I would suggest either of these two to get a taste of climbing Fourteeners. Other easy peaks include Mount Sherman, Mount Elbert, Handies Peak, Grays, and Torreys.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Hiking Poles
Are Hiking Poles useful and worth them money? Absolutely.
When I first started hiking I noticed a lot of people using hiking poles. I thought it was just a phase. I thought these were just one more thing that people bought just to feel like they were real hikers. When I hiked my first 14er, my friend had brought poles with him. He was a few years older than me so I teased him about needing a cane to get up the hill. But I tried them out and I actually saw a big advantage in using them.
Some of the advantages of using hiking poles is that they help you keep good balance and posture. Many people begin to lean forward after hours of hiking especially with a heavy backpack. The poles keep you standing straight and keep you away from aggravating back ache.
The poles are also very helpful on loose gravel to help support you when your feet slip out from under you. They also come in very handy when rock hopping through talus and small boulders. By using the poles you can keep your balance. They are like hand extensions to help you climb down from one boulder to another (not rock climbing, just light scrambling).
Some people even like having poles in their hands to feel save in case of an attack by human or animal in the wild. They give you something easily available to scare off any critters or the rare human attack.
I never hike without them. They are a very valuable addition to my necessary gear. I highly recommend you purchase poles. There are poles of all price ranges and honestly the functionality doesn't change much so a lower end pole may be all you need to get started.
When I first started hiking I noticed a lot of people using hiking poles. I thought it was just a phase. I thought these were just one more thing that people bought just to feel like they were real hikers. When I hiked my first 14er, my friend had brought poles with him. He was a few years older than me so I teased him about needing a cane to get up the hill. But I tried them out and I actually saw a big advantage in using them.
Some of the advantages of using hiking poles is that they help you keep good balance and posture. Many people begin to lean forward after hours of hiking especially with a heavy backpack. The poles keep you standing straight and keep you away from aggravating back ache.
The poles are also very helpful on loose gravel to help support you when your feet slip out from under you. They also come in very handy when rock hopping through talus and small boulders. By using the poles you can keep your balance. They are like hand extensions to help you climb down from one boulder to another (not rock climbing, just light scrambling).
Some people even like having poles in their hands to feel save in case of an attack by human or animal in the wild. They give you something easily available to scare off any critters or the rare human attack.
I never hike without them. They are a very valuable addition to my necessary gear. I highly recommend you purchase poles. There are poles of all price ranges and honestly the functionality doesn't change much so a lower end pole may be all you need to get started.
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