Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Those most interested in the pictures feel free to scroll down. Those who will indulge me with a bit of reflection on my journey can read on..
I climbed my first 14er in August of 2004. Now 8 years later that goal/quest has finally been realized. Many people achieve this goal much faster than I have, but my journey has been my own and I appreciate the time I allowed to plan and anticipate every climb. I was able to take in the experiences of each mountain, and to reflect on them before tackling the next one. While climbing does not define who I am, it has helped defined who I have become.
My journey has not just been about experiences in the mountains but about how they interrelate with the rest of my life. The mountains have seen me find lost friendships. They have also seen me lose good friends. They have seen me grow as a person, husband and a father. They have helped me form an unbreakable bond with my son. They have given me a focus to stay healthy and an excuse to visit some of the most spectacular places on earth.
My 14er Quest has produced some memorable adventures with catchy tags such as "summit at all costs", "Shafer's trench" and "LaPuka". Some don't have tags but are memorable none the less as they involve lighting, blizzards, torrential downpours, and even the Jefferson County Sheriff.
I look back on pictures from my first 14er and I see cotton everywhere. I remember wearing my heavy firefighting boots and wondering where my next breath was going to come from. But I also remember hitting the summit and the feeling of accomplishment. Oh and you can't forget about the views from the "Top of the Rockies". I have to say I was immediately "hooked". I found 14ers.com and signed up as alanb to begin what was the first of hundreds of hours of research and dreaming of what peak I would climb next. Looking at the "hard" peaks and wondering if I would every have the skills to tackle them.
Those of you who remember the site back then, it was not the fine-tuned machine that Bill has created today. Trip reports were scarce and you had to put them in a forum post (10 pic max). Bill only had about 1/3 of the 14er routes up. The community was small, maybe 500 registered users or less. For my first 20ish summits I would diligently put together a trip report and check more and more summits off my list. I remember Culebra finally opening up to the general public and signing up for (I believe) the first organized 14ers.com Culebra hike.
Shortly after that circumstances in my life would take me away from climbing for over a year. I wondered at that time if the goal was lost. But life is funny and a passion never dies. I was able to return to climbing and return to 14ers.com, but with the necessity of a bit more anonymity so I signed up under the handle summitbound. The need for new trip reports has diminished and the wealth of knowledge from other members saw me fade from trip reports and post counts. But the goal was never out of sight.
My "peaks checked" list was also an evolution of my skill level. I found a partner whose skill level is light years beyond mine. The confidence I gained on each of our summits allowed me to expand beyond the normal summer time frame and traditional routes. No longer was the check box the goal, but rather the experience. I sought out non-standard routes and wanted to avoid the crowds, to make my own mark by hitting a summit every month of the year, which I was able to complete. I learned winter climbing is a different world from summer. I love the solitude and the beauty of the 14ers in this magical season. I also learned defeat and how to turn back when condition were just not right. I learned persistence in going back over and over again to reach that one missed summit. I found that snow climbs are one of my favorite things.
On the personal side of my journey I gained an appreciation for the impact climbing has on my family. The time spent away from home, the worry when I don't check in on time, and they read about the accidents and fatalities on the very peaks they know I am on. Despite all this they remained unwavering in their support. I watched my son grow into a solid outdoorsman. I remember watching him struggle as a small 7 year old attempting Culebra with bronchitis and a broken arm all the way to where he is now- a 13 year old Eagle Scout with 20 summits under his belt including Mt Wilson, the Chicago Basin, and Snowmass.
On my final 14er I saw the culmination of that support from both family and friends. Friends and coworkers flew in from out of state, family drove across the county, hiking partners who had long since moved beyond the 14er list came back to share my final 14er summit with me. My wife planned an amazing finishing party. It was a great day with a great group of people. A huge thanks to all who have contributed to helping me complete "the list"
Thanks for allowing me to share this with you all.
A few selected photo's
My family and friends on the summit with me.
My son on his first 14er
January Summit of Ellingwood at night and in a blizzard.
The Bell Cord
Y Couloir on Pikes Peak
Near the summit of Maroon Peak
precarious ice slope on the Bells
me surveying the Sawtooth
hero shot on North Massive
Conundrum Couloir
The diving board on Pyramid
The gully on Wetterhorn
Princeton from Grouse Creek TH
The Prow on Kit Carson
Crestone Needle
Traverse with El Diente behind
Down Climbing std route Maroon Peak
North Maroon
Traverse from Needle to Peak
Yale in a January snowstorm
The Sawtooth
Columbia West Ridge in Feb
Sneffels
Hourglass on Little Bear
Blanca with Ellingwood behind
Wilson Peak
Sunlight summit block- (The top is the top right?)
My son on Mt. Wilson
Father and son on Snowmass
Capitol in May- My all time favorite mountain
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Thanks for sharing your journey. It may have taken you eight years (which is still quicker than a lot of folks!), but you completed the list with zest and style. Those are some impressive routes and times of year. Congrats!
What a great, concise encapsulation of a wonderful journey and what it has meant physically and otherwise. Excellent pictures, capturing all kinds of different moments. Congratulations.
Nice hiking with you on Snowmass, those are great photos and I'm sure fine memories. The journey's not over, enjoy the next chapter and good luck keeping up with your son.
Thanks for sharing your journey. Said in only a few paragraphs, you're the real deal. Not because you're finished, but because your love for the mountains shows.
on your accomplishment. It was a pleasure seeing your highlight photos and to read your reflection. As an aside, I was glad to see someone else who hiked Princeton via the Grouse Creek route.
Thanks gettingolder- Not may reports on Grouse Creek out there. We are an elite group lol. Its a fun route, time consuming, but fun.
BK- Ah the Ellingwood trip, that was border line epic. Could not have made that summit without you guys. Thanks for helping me get it done. I have a new pair of Scarpas now... ;) Lets break them in this winter!
Just so happens I was up from Kansas and shared the summit with your group that day. I had the honor of taking the group photo. I didnt read your sign at the time, (I was breathing to hard to make out the writing) or I most certainly would have congratulated you then. That being said, congratulations. Im only on #13 myself and inspired to keep up the effort.
wfelix- great shot you took of the group. Thanks for being the camera man, much appreciated. Congrats on your summit and #13! that is a lot of summits coming from Kansas. Keep plugging away before you know it you will be there.
A great post and a great accomplishment. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
Keep up the good work!
. That was a memorable summit. Brian