The state of Colorado holds over 50 peaks with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet, otherwise known as fourteeners. For the past four years I, along with some great friends, have made an annual road trip to Colorado with the sole purpose of summiting a one of these mountains. If you have been wanting to challenge yourself physically and mentally, and you’re interested in taking your first trip to climb one of these 14ers, there are some items you will need.
It’s a little overwhelming every time I go to pack up my gear for a climb. Surprisingly there are a lot of factors that go into bringing the right gear, so you have what you need, but aren’t lugging the extra weight of things you can get by without. Here I will walk you through what I pack on a typical trip to Colorado, and what you might need in special situations.
CLOTHING
I try to plan my climbs in spring or early fall, so it’s not super warm or cold. This makes selecting my wardrobe a bit easier. No matter the time of year, the key to remember is LAYERS! 1// My boots are one of the most critical pieces of my gear. The are super comfy, give me adequate ankle support, and are waterproof. 2// I typically bring a couple pairs of pants for climbing/hiking. These are light, wind-resistant and and typically unzip at the knee, if the weather calls for shorts. I also throw in warmer pair for sleeping through the cold Colorado nights. 3// I tend to go for long-sleeve shirts made from a synthetic blend; ones that will wick the moisture and help block the wind. I also throw in a couple of long sleeved thicker shirts for layering at night. 4// Wool socks are the way to go for climbing. Wool wicks the moisture and helps prevent wear and blisters on your feet. 5// A hoodie and 6// warm hat for staying warm at camp or on summit. 7// I always pack a cheap rain poncho and 8// some sunglasses I don’t mind getting scuffed up. On certain 14ers there is the danger of falling rock. So for those mountains, I bring my Black Diamond Half Dome helmet.
CAMPING GEAR
To keep the weight of my pack down, I try to camp as light as possible. 1// My sleeping bag is light and packs down to a small little package. 2// My preferred method of camping is by hammock. It’s way comfier than sleeping on the ground, and you don’t have to have flat ground. I have an Eno, but there’s a bunch of cheaper options out there now. One thing you absolutely need, that isn’t pictured, is a tarp or rain fly. I recommend the Bear Butt rain fly. 3// A small pillow and 4// eye cover can help with sleep. 5// I also pack a knife and multi tool, 6// some paracord, 7// an emergency blanket when I didn’t bring enough warm clothes, and 8// some playing cards. I recommend getting a microfiber camping towel, and I know it’s a no-brainer, but make sure you bring a flashlight.
FOOD + COOKING
Food is very important to me, and it’s important to bring the right kind of food when climbing. I need high protein and a lot of calories, but not something that’s gonna weigh me down. There are a lot of different options out there, but here’s what I brought: 1// I just bought this stove kit, and man I love it! Whether you want coffee, to boil water, or need to cook food, this little stove will get the job done. 2// Another necessity is a water filtration system. There are a lot of options out there, but I use the Sawyer Mini. It is tiny, can be used as a straw, or screwed on the end of any plastic water bottle. The 0.1-micron filter physically removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, and it filters up to 100,000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced! 3// A collapsable cup and 4// enamel bowl come in handy, and 5// multi-purpose utensil has got you covered no matter what your eating.
Now for food. 6// A great options for dinners (and campsite lunches) is a dehydrated meal. There are different brands out there, but I especially like those made by Mountain House. Add 2 cups of boiling water to the pouch, let it sit for a few minutes and you have a good, hot meal to keep you going. For lunches on the go, I usually bring 7// pouches of flavored tuna and crackers. If I need a snack while hiking or for summit day, I tend to go for 8// Epic bars or 9// LARABAR’s. 10// I’m also a coffee drinker, so if I don’t bring my Aeropress, I bring some instant coffee. I recommend G7 Instant Coffee (I found this in Vietnam). I do NOT recommend NesCafe.
MY PACKS
Finally, here are the packs I use; and like everything else, there are different brands, variations, at different price points. I do recommend that you pay attention to quality, as the last thing you want is your pack to fail when you are miles from civilization.
My main pack is a Mountainsmith Lookout. It is a 45 liter backpack with load dispersion system and lumbar support. Many of the climbs I do are between 10-20 miles over rugged terrain, so with a pack weighing 30-50 pounds, it’s vital that it is as comfortable as possible. There’s also a space for a hydration bladder inside.
I realize this post isn’t for everyone, but for those who might want the challenge of climbing a 14er, or doing any extended outdoor excursion, I hope this was helpful.
-Dustin
