Climbing Your First 14er
Colorado has 58 peaks above 14,000 feet, and climbing one is a bucket-list experience for many hikers. Here is how to prepare for success.
Choose Your Peak
Easiest 14ers (Class 1 — hiking)
- Quandary Peak (14,265 ft, 7 miles RT, 3,450 ft gain): The most popular first 14er. Well-marked trail, straightforward route, beautiful views.
- Mt. Bierstadt (14,060 ft, 7 miles RT, 2,850 ft gain): Shorter approach through a willowed valley. Can be windy above treeline.
- Grays Peak (14,278 ft, 8 miles RT, 3,000 ft gain): The highest point on the Continental Divide accessible by trail. Often combined with Torreys Peak.
Moderate 14ers (Class 1–2)
- Mt. Elbert (14,439 ft, 9.5 miles RT, 4,700 ft gain): Colorado's highest point. Long but non-technical.
- Handies Peak (14,048 ft, 7.5 miles RT, 2,600 ft gain): Remote San Juan location, moderate difficulty.
Avoid for First-Timers
- Any peak rated Class 3 or higher (Capitol, Pyramid, Crestone Needle)
- Long approaches with significant exposure
- Peaks requiring route-finding skills
Training
8-Week Program
- Weeks 1–2: Build a base. Hike 5–8 miles with 1,500 ft elevation gain twice weekly.
- Weeks 3–4: Increase to 8–10 miles with 2,000 ft gain. Add a loaded pack (20 lbs).
- Weeks 5–6: Peak training. Hike 10+ miles with 2,500+ ft gain. Do one long day per week.
- Weeks 7–8: Taper. Reduce volume but maintain intensity. Rest before summit day.
Supplemental Training
- Stair climbing or stadium bleachers (mimics elevation gain)
- Squats and lunges (build quad endurance for descent)
- Cardio: running, cycling, or swimming for cardiovascular fitness
Altitude Preparation
- Arrive in Colorado 1–2 days early to acclimatize
- Spend a night at 9,000–10,000 feet before your summit attempt
- Hydrate aggressively (3–4 liters/day) starting 24 hours before
- Avoid alcohol the night before
- Recognize AMS symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness
Summit Day
Timeline
- 2:00–4:00 AM: Wake up, eat, prepare gear
- 3:00–5:00 AM: Start hiking by headlamp
- 8:00–10:00 AM: Target summit time (before noon)
- By noon: Be descending — afternoon thunderstorms are nearly guaranteed in summer
Gear Checklist
- Layers: base, mid, hardshell, warm hat, gloves
- Rain jacket and pants (storms come fast)
- 2–3 liters of water
- 1,500–2,000 calories of food
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (UV is intense at 14,000 ft)
- Trekking poles
- Map and/or GPS
- Emergency blanket
Turn-Around Time
Set a strict turn-around time (typically noon). If you have not summited by then, descend. The mountain will be there next time. Afternoon lightning above treeline is genuinely life-threatening.
Recommended Gear
Based on the topics covered in this guide, here are some top-rated products to consider:
- Patagonia Boulder Fork Rain Jacket - Men's ($229, 0.9 lbs)
- PEARL iZUMi Canyon 2.5L WXB Rain Jacket - Men's ($135, 0.6 lbs)
- SealLine Black Canyon 115L Dry Bag ($290, 4.6 lbs)
- Mackage Adali No-Fur Down Jacket - Women's ($1050, 2.1 lbs)
- Sea To Summit Big River Dry Bag ($50, 5 oz)
- Thule Accent 26L Backpack ($150, 2.7 lbs)
Common Mistakes
- Starting too late
- Underestimating the descent (it takes nearly as long as the ascent and is harder on the knees)
- Not carrying enough water
- Ignoring weather changes
- Pushing through AMS symptoms instead of descending