mountain climbing

[Pantlegz]

I'm planning a vacation to Colorado this June and I expect to be climbing at least one 14er. I know it's going to be colder once I get up top but what kind of gear should I get? Just a heavy coat? Would some UA coldgear under my clothes and maybe a hoodie be enough?

 

[Deeko]

I'm not really familiar with the rating system you're using..."14er"....

What you need really depends on what you're climbing. If its something like Mt Rainier in WA, you need more than a coat and cold gear.

 

[conorvansmack]

14er = 14,000 feet

Collegiate peaks?

 

[Pantlegz]

14er = 14,000 feet

Collegiate peaks?

Yea for the most part, I know for sure we're doing huron peak. I have a friend up there that's suggested 2 more that I'm not sure about yet. I would like to but I'm not sure about everyone else.

 

[Deeko]

haha oh, I'm dumb.

This is the recommended equipment list for Mt Rainier - 14,414 ft: http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/recommended%20equipment.pdf

Granted, Ranier is a heavily glaciated peak.

 

[conorvansmack]

Ranier is wildly different. I'm pretty sure the collegiate peaks can be done without any climbing equipment at all. Lots of big rocks/boulders. Summitting just depends on the weather and visibility. My wife and some friends went a few years ago. I think they climbed Harvard.

 

[Deeko]

Yea Rainier is as difficult as it is due to the glacier and weather situations. I'll be climbing that sooner or later. Was going to be this summer, but my friend I'm doing it with can't make it to town, so we'll probably do it summer '11

 

[NuclearNed]

Yea Rainier is as difficult as it is due to the glacier and weather situations. I'll be climbing that sooner or later. Was going to be this summer, but my friend I'm doing it with can't make it to town, so we'll probably do it summer '11

I summited Rainier in 2007: http://picasaweb.google.com/rdpoling/Rainier#

I'm climbing it again this July. I can't freakin' wait!!!!!!!

 

[Deeko]

I summited Rainier in 2007: http://picasaweb.google.com/rdpoling/Rainier#

I'm climbing it again this July. I can't freakin' wait!!!!!!!

Looks fun. It looks like you guys went with guides and all that? What did that include? How much was it? Thanks

 

[NuclearNed]

Looks fun. It looks like you guys went with guides and all that? What did that include? How much was it? Thanks

www.rmiguides.com

The guide service this year is about $920 per person, which includes all national park fees, etc. Equipment rental is $400-$500 for most people, but I have some of my own stuff.

I highly recommend RMI; it is owned my Lou Whittaker, who is a mountain climbing legend.

We are doing the 4 day climb in July. What it involves:
day 1: orientation / meet and greet with the guides
day 2: climb school
day 3: hike to Camp Muir at 10,000'
day 4: attempt the summit, then do the entire descent

 

[SandInMyShoes]

I summitted Longs Peak in Colorado (14,259ft) on a warm, sunny Labor Day. Short sleeves were fine up until about 12.5k, after which a long-sleeve flannel shirt felt good. In the shade, I added a warm insulated hoodie. Several layers are better than one heavy coat.

Examine your route; if it's facing the sun, you will stay much warmer than if you have to climb through the shade when you're nearing the top. Take insulated gloves!

I'm not sure if conditions are similar at Huron, but at Longs it was extremely important to begin climbing long before dawn; thunderstorms tended to come in early afternoon, so leaving the summit in time to get below the treeline before lightning started striking was important!

It may be colder in June than my September climb was, so do your research about if you're taking enough clothes!

Edit: Coming from a fellow flatlander, do everything you can to get acclimated before you make the climb: go jogging in camp, kayaking, biking, whatever you can do. You'll appreciate it on the way up. Had I not already been acclimated, Longs would have kicked my butt, and I may not have made the summit. Even when you are acclimated, there's a world of difference between the oxygen available at 12kft and 14kft! This has a lot of bearing on your stamina.