K2 and Capitol Peak (“The King”)
Capitol Peak is undoubtedly the standard bearer of all the fourteeners in Colorado. It features a very long boulder hike/climb to a sub-summit called K2 at 13,688’ followed by a knife-edge ridge crawl to the Capitol summit cap. The final push is a 550’...
Mt. Elbert – My First Fourteener and Again in 2016
Mt. Elbert at 14,440’ is the tallest in the State of Colorado, but one of the easiest to walk up. It is usually many hikers’ first tall peak. I first climbed it in 2002, loved it, but didn’t do a second 14er until 2009. Then in 2016 as prep for...
Little Bear Peak – Bad Boy of the Colorado Fourteeners
This is a pure climbing story because this mountain is a skilled-climbers’ mountain that most recognize as one of the two most difficult of all 57 Colorado fourteeners.
Crestone Needle – A Hard Fourteener
Crestone Needle is generally recognized as being in the top 5 in climbing difficulty of all the Colorado 14ers. It is characterized by sustained Class 3 rock climbing (for hours) although on rock that is unusually climber-friendly.
Emme Levy Crandall January 31, 2001 to August 27, 2015
A Tribute to Emme, Our Australian Terrier, and Her Amazing Life Click the button below to view the story.
Crestone Peak … and a Self Rescue!
“Crestone Peak, or “The Peak” as known among many climbers, is one of the “double-black diamond” 14ers for climbers. It and its companion fourteener, Crestone Needle were the last of all the fourteeners to be scaled back in the 1920’s. This...
Blanca Peak – Sacred Mountain of the Navajo
with a 130-year old Eagle trap at summit …and close encounters with hungry bears.
Tabegauche Peak – A Bit More Than We Bargained for – and a Great Wine at Summit
We went at this mountain from the closed Jennings Creek trailhead, avoiding the erosion causing the closure. Early-season climbing into snow – and finally discovering the “right way” to summit. Celebrating with Walter Hansel Pinot Noir at the Peak.
North Maroon Peak – Going Technical
Climbing North Maroon with Andy Mishmash changes a dangerous climb into pure joy. This peak is notorious for casualties but with care watching for loose rock and someone experienced in route finding, North Maroon becomes one of the most beautiful fourteener...
Mt. Eolus and N. Eolus – exposed rock climbing
Mt. Eolus is a more challenging 14er in the San Juan Range accessible only by the 130 year old Denver & Rio Grande narrow-gauge train and then backpacking to the Chicago Basin. This mountain features a narrow, exposed “Catwalk” and some good Class...