3,000-Foot "Rule"

3,000 Foot Rule

The 3,000-foot "rule" is just a guideline that some use to define when a peak has been climbed. It's a goal. If you hike to a 14er summit without gaining 3,000', you still hiked the peak. If you decide to adopt this goal, that's fine. If not, no worries - you are like most. Climbing these peaks with or without gaining 3k on every peak is a big accomplishment. The 3k thing is no different than having a goal to climb 20 peaks a year, or 100,000' of gain, or climbing at least once a week. It's just something to shoot for.

14ers.com did not come up with the 3k guideline and simply mentions it because it's a popular topic.