14ers.com

Posted: **Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:46 am**

Ptglhs wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:38 am
ashportko wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:05 am Thank you! I will research. And I did not mean to offend anyone by my question; just still exploring options in AK (all the info online is mostly about CO 14ers).
It's great to be passionate about the mountains. A lot of folks on this site are. If you've never hiked an alpine peak, and considering you said your first is going to be Elbert on October 8th I assume you haven't, it's fair to say you don't know what conditions will be like up there. October in Colorado mean shorter days, colder wind, and a real possibility of snow on the ground and in the air. Do Elbert and see what conditions are like, how you're feeling, and if you even make it to the top. After that think about other peaks in the lower 49 you might want to do. As plenty of other people have mentioned, Alaska is so far north, and much more remote, that climbing over 10,000 feet is several orders of magnitude higher there than in Colorado.

Ask the locals where would be fun to day hike, below treeline, with bear spray and several people in Alaska. A 14er in AK is several days of work, snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, serious cold weather gear, and technical climbing equipment: ropes, harness, amd protection.

Mega thanks to you and to you all! Now I see what is going on. Flattop sounds really good at this point.

Posted: **Thu Oct 08, 2020 8:21 pm**

I wanted to say props to ashportko for her ascent of Elbert today. She flew in from Orlando last night and was up at 14,433' this afternoon. I was glad to help someone up their 1st 14er. I think she's convinced that A: Alaska 14ers are off the table for the foreseeable future, and B: peak bagging in CO is a great way to spend the day.

Congrats to all the other 1st 14er summiters we met along the way. Always nice to meet friendly people in the mountains.

Posted: **Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:40 pm**

It’s a good thing she’s cute, cuz her naïveté regarding Alaska peaks is downright hilarious! And to the poster who suggested Mt. Hunter along with the photo...that’s classic funny! Nice work

Posted: **Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:48 pm**

hansolo35 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:40 pm It’s a good thing she’s cute, cuz her naïveté regarding Alaska peaks is downright hilarious! And to the poster who suggested Mt. Hunter along with the photo...that’s classic funny! Nice work

Technically it's also true.

Obviously not what askportko was asking for, but I couldn't resist the jibe cuz I'm a jerk (and I also thought it was pretty damn funny, but of course I would). Nice work to askportko for gleaning some real info from the pit of vipers known as 14ers.com and then getting after it!

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 7:53 am**

Ptglhs wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 8:21 pm I wanted to say props to ashportko for her ascent of Elbert today. She flew in from Orlando last night and was up at 14,433' this afternoon. I was glad to help someone up their 1st 14er. I think she's convinced that A: Alaska 14ers are off the table for the foreseeable future, and B: peak bagging in CO is a great way to spend the day.

Congrats to all the other 1st 14er summiters we met along the way. Always nice to meet friendly people in the mountains.

Congrats ashportko! And... there are some good guys out there...

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:43 am**

I’m super thankful to my guide Perry who posted the photo and the post! Mt. Elbert was definitely tough and beyond worth it for me, given I’m a relatively ignorant Floridian. Yet, I have learnt tons of info about mountains including AK from Perry. Actually, hikers are super duper nice and supportive and encouraging once in the mountains; just jerks on this web. But I love it. Glad I have made a few of you laugh.

more to come!!!

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:50 am**

ashportko wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:43 am I’m super thankful to my guide Perry who posted the photo and the post! Mt. Elbert was definitely tough and beyond worth it for me, given I’m a relatively ignorant Floridian. Yet, I have learnt tons of info about mountains including AK from Perry. Actually, hikers are super duper nice and supportive and encouraging once in the mountains; just jerks on this web. But I love it. Glad I have made a few of you laugh. more to come!!!

great work on your first 14er!! i've met so many interesting and kind people on 14ers, and i know you'll continue to find them too.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:54 am**

Hahaha.... super duper!!

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:37 am**

Nothing wrong with going big or going home!

My first 14er was Whitney. All 22 miles of it in a day. I ran out of water, limped up the switchbacks, and was one sunburned, sore, and dead tired fool the next day!

But I did it and loved it.

That said, Alaska is at a whole other level, though I will say: many of the mountains east of Anchorage may "only" rise to ~5k feet, but the gain and effort required surely meets or exceeds many of Colorado's fourteeners.

O'Malley is right next door to Anchorage. It's a fun hike/climb complete with a steep/loose gully--and some fantastic views.

Congrats to the OP on bagging Elbert. That, too, was my fist CO 14er.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:18 pm**

Lol everyone starts somewhere and it’s usually a disaster! My first ever hike to a summit was Mt. Monadnock on the East Coast when I was 21 - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new- ... oss-trails. 4 miles and 2k elevation and I almost puked. I hated it. Five years later I’ve done many of my dream climbs here in the Colorado Rockies! Keep at it.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:23 pm**

If you're going to be hiking and climbing in Alaska you should be privy to the fact that they have their own climbing grades. This is due in part to the unique challenges that you'll face in Alaska, which is sort of explained in this thread. In summary, many of the shortest mountaineering routes require at least a full day effort and that starts at Grade I. For comparison normal YDS grade IV is full day and Alaska grade IV is multi-day semi technical climb.

Hopefully that helps you determine what you're looking at and getting yourself into.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 1:26 pm**

ashportko wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 10:23 am Hello All,

I am going to Anchorage, AK in October (beginning), and I am wondering what would be the absolutely closest 14er to the city? I would take anything, but preferably something easier as I am taking my brother with me who is not quite there hiking-wise. Thank you!!!

[/https://www.steliasguides.com/trips/ala ... aineering/

Go to the introductory class.

You aren’t ready. I admire the drive. I do. No one should step near an Alaska peak without Rainier, Shasta, or Baker being done first.

14ers.com

Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?

Re: Which 14er is the closest to Anchorage?