The Ten Essentials for Climbing a Fourteener

The key to enjoying climbing a fourteener is preparation. “Peak bagging” is relatively safe, but fourteeners are big mountains and can turn on you.

No matter the season or weather at THE TRAILHEAD, carry the following ten essentials. I didn’t prioritize; each is essential. Carry them all with the hope you won’t need them. I’ve added some comments beside each one, and listed some products I’ve found to be the best. All are available at THE TRAILHEAD:

• Plenty of drinking water. Climbing a Colorado fourteener is hard work in a dry climate. You’ll need lots of water. Consider a pack with internal hydration. The Peak Bagger from CamelBak is an excellent choice. You can also buy a pack with a slot for a hydration reservoir, or perhaps add a reservoir to your current pack. CamelBak and Platypus offer such reservoirs. You can fill water containers (up to five gallons) at THE TRAILHEAD for no charge.
• Extra, warm clothing and a waterproof shell. Temperatures change dramatically above timberline, and whenever a shower passes. If you are caught out, good clothing can prevent hypothermia. Carry a fleece insulating layer and a waterproof shell - - not a lightweight water resistant or repellant shell. I strongly recommend a breathable waterproof shell made of Gore-Tex (any number of manufacturers), MemBrain or PreCip from Marmot, Conduit from Mountain Hardwear, H2No from Patagonia, or HyVent from The North Face. These products 5are light and breathable, so you can pack light, move fast, and stay dry inside and out.
• Extra, high-energy food. Trail mix, GORP (Good Ol’ Raisins & Peanuts), energy bars, peanut-butter burritos, and variety of others are lightweight, non-perishable, and withstand the rigors of the trail. If you want to Buy it Buenie, THE TRAILHEAD offers energy snacks from Alpine Aire, Clif, Gu, Luna, and Mojo, and Gatorade beverage mix.
• Emergency shelter such as a poncho, tarp, or bivy sack. This does not need to be expensive because you’ll want to rig it or hunker down under it. We have several options from a variety of manufacturers
• Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Radiated energy from the sun saps yours and is tremendous at elevation. I recommend Tilley hats, but if brims aren’t your style, we have a variety caps, some with removable Sahara flaps. I recommend sunglasses from Smith, Oakley, or Julbo (Julbo especially in snowy conditions), and a sweatproof sunscreen.
• Fire starter, candle, or chemical fuel. You may need to start a warming fire, even in summer. A small stove such as MSR’s Pocket Rocket, an MSR Alpine Kettle, and an insulated mug, or the fantastic new Jet Boil stove that eliminates the need for a kettle and mug, and packs of freeze-dried food and tea or cocoa are good ideas.
• Waterproof matches. Ditto.
• Multi-tool or versatile knife. A Gerber or Victorinox multi-tool or knife could be a lifesaver.
• Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries. Not just to see where you’re going, but to help you rig an emergency shelter if you’re benighted and for signaling at night.
• Map of area and compass. An eternal verity that needs no explanation. Even a well-traveled trail can through you curves.
• First aid kit. You WILL encounter talus and scree that can cause you to lose your footing and suffer a nasty gash. And that’s a good-case scenario. We have first-aid kits and products from Atwater-Carey, the specialists in wilderness medicine.
• Signaling devices. A two-sided mirror, one red and one plain, with small observation port; a plastic signaling whistle (metal can stick to your lips in the cold - - not good); flares, etc. We have them.

THE TRAILHEAD has the Colorado Search and Rescue cards. Stop by the shop for details. Don’t leave THE TRAILHEAD without it!