Hiking 14-ers in Breckenridge

You can summit most 14-ers in the state with the right combination of fitness, clothing, food and water. However, some of the more technical peaks require the use of ropes and climbing gear. Whatever the case, you want to make sure you are prepared with basic safety necessities, because while hiking a 14-er can give you the most picturesque views you've ever seen, it can also be deadly. If you're thinking of hiking a 14-er for a little something different on your Breckenridge vacation, here are some tips on how to make it to the top and back down to the bottom safely:

Do Your Homework!
Before you even start our on your journey, familiarize yourself with the trail. Most 14-ers have multiple ascent routes, which range from hiking trails to sheer rock faces. Identify the trail that's appropriate for your levels of fitness and expertise, and determine where to park in order to start on the right one. Your best bet is to use a topographical map and a compass (provided you know how to use them), but you should also refer to a hiking guidebook for practical advice. Keep all of that with you on the hike. 14ers.com is a good resource for checking the most up-to-date trail and weather conditions. You should do all this research in your Breckenridge condo at least a day before your hike.

Start Early!
Colorado is notorious for afternoon storms in the summer, and at an elevation of 14,000 feet, the storms come in quickly! Above tree line, you are fully exposed to the elements and an easy target for lightning. Plus, the trail to the summit often consists of large rocks instead of the dirt hiking trails you find at lower elevations. When it rains, those rocks get slippery and dangerous. Plan to summit the mountain no later than noon so you can be down in safer elevations if an afternoon storm does roll in.

Dress in Layers!
If you follow the advice above, you'll be starting your hike at around 6am, and you'll probably be somewhere around 10,000 feet in elevation, so it'll be chilly. However, once the sun comes up and you're hiking along, you'll start to sweat. The most important thing is to NOT WEAR COTTON! Cotton absorbs the moisture and keeps it close to you, so when you reach the cold air of 14,000 feet, you'll feel worse if your clothes are wet. Instead, find base layers that consist of nylon or are specially formulated to wick the moisture away from your body. At the summit it'll be cold, so have a hat and gloves in your backpack, and bring rain gear just in case.

Bring Plenty of Food and Water!
Because of the physical exertion, you'll need to constantly refuel. Bring several bottles of water and keep them handy so it's not a hassle to grab a drink. Or if you have a backpack hydration system, such as a camelback, you'll be sure to have easy access to your water. Above 13,000 feet some people feel nauseous in the thin air but a little food usually cures that. A good rule of thumb is to take a couple bites of food every 30 minutes. Spending a few nights in Breckenridge first will help your body acclimate to the high elevation better, thereby reducing altitude sickness. Most people enjoy a full lunch at the summit while taking in the spectacular views, but during the hike keep trail mix or candy in your pocket to nibble on and keep you going. Your body needs quick-release sugars, so this is one time you don't have to feel guilty about eating that Snickers bar!

Load Your Backpack!
So now you know you'll need extra clothing, a trail map with compass and plenty of food and water in your backpack. But don't forget the various miscellaneous items, such as sunscreen, Chap Stick, a small first aid kit, Kleenex, and of course a camera to capture the scenery and document that you made it! All Colorado 14-ers have a scroll at the summit for hikers to sign and thereby prove that they conquered the mountain, but a picture is a great memento!

Have fun! Whether your motivation for climbing a 14-er is spiritual, health-related, or competitive, remember that you're doing something that not everyone is willing or able to do, and you're doing it in a beautiful location! So when you're wheezing and gasping for your breath in the thin mountain air, take a moment to look around and congratulate yourself for doing it!