How to Climb a Fourteener

A lot of people want to say they have "bagged a fourteener" (climbed a fourteener) but are intimidated by the thought of spending an entire day fighting with a mountain. Well, worry no more! You're going to kill that fourteener after you read this.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Water (in bottles or a camelback)
• Hiking shoes (boots or tennis shoes)
• Layers of clothing
• Flip flops (for after the hike)
• Camera
• Sunglasses
• Sunblock
• Snacks
• Determination

1. Plan ahead of time!!! Not all fourteeners are the same and a quick google search will give you an idea of which fourteeners are considered beginner fourteeners and which fourteeners are for the more experienced.
2. Plan on getting their early. Really early. We've all heard those nightmare stories about people having to quit Mt. Everest when they are in spitting distance of the summit because of the weather. While your disapointment might not be as bad, you still don't want to have to quit three quarters of the way up the mountain because of weather. Storms arrive in the early afternoon, so plan on beginning your hike between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
3. Bring the appropriate clothing. Places with mountains have unpredictable weather. At a minimum you should have warm socks (not cotton), durable shoes, pants, shorts, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, a wind braker and a hat just in case.
4. Don't neglect your internal organs, skin and eyesight. This means bring plenty of water (either in a camelback or water bottles), snacks to keep you going, sun block and sunglasses.
5. Bring a camera and a little glory snack for the top! After that much work, you are going to want to eat and have proof that you did it.
6. Make your way down the mountain and into your waiting vehicle. Slip into your flipflops. Trust me, after hiking up the mountain and back, your feet will be ready for a little R&R which they can't get in heavy shoes and/or boots.