Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

FAQ and threads for those just starting to hike the Colorado 14ers.
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timisimaginary
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by timisimaginary »

dp1992 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2019 7:12 pm Is it culturally acceptable in Colorado to hike 14ers solo?
it is now.
"The decay and disintegration of this culture is astonishingly amusing if you're emotionally detached from it." - George Carlin
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by dp1992 »

CaptCO wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 5:35 pm So dp was a troll and you guys bought into it like regular.. the thing is I’m willing to bet he’s an experienced hiker with zero personal life. What a shame!! :mrgreen:
wrong, again
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Corbinw45
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by Corbinw45 »

Do not be intimidated by the fancy equipment crowd. I think as long as you prepare very well, get good advice and let people know where you are, you can do anything. I've personally never had that vibe from Colorado (well, maybe a little on the ski slopes) but who cares, in my opinion, if you love being in the mountains then you should be there and not give a s*** what anyone else thinks of you. Just enjoy it and try to make friends if that seems like a good thing to do! Good Luck sir!
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nyker
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by nyker »

timisimaginary wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:13 pm
dp1992 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2019 7:12 pm Is it culturally acceptable in Colorado to hike 14ers solo?
it is now.
+100

Probably required now!
CORed
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by CORed »

dp1992 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2019 7:12 pm Is it culturally acceptable in Colorado to hike 14ers solo?

I've done several hikes alone, but always am afraid that this is not culturally acceptable. Everyone seems to be in groups.
It's certainly culturally acceptable to hike solo. It is somewhat more risky than hinking with one or more other people, as there may not be anybody to go for help should you injure yourself badly enough to impair your ability to hike out. However, in the summer, there will usually be other people on 14ers. That said, I hike alone more often than not.
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by MountainHiker »

Make it a point to not be the last one coming down the trail, and stick to the standard route. While the easier fourteeners close to the city have crowds on the summer weekends, don't take for granted that will allays be the case. The harder fourteeners, farther from Denver, will have less people. Any fourteener as you stretch the seasons will have less people. If you get off route, even on a crowded fourteener, you could find yourself all alone. Even on a standard route, in winter conditions, you could be all alone.

If you travel alone, have a Spot or other messenger device. (Recommended even if you are not alone) Cell phones often don't have a signal along the route. If something happens, even a minor injury could become a fatal event if you are alone and nobody comes along to find you. Navigation is absolute importance. If you are off route, and something happens, it will be a lot harder to find you even if you can send a message. That time lost could be when you die or become an amputee.

So it is okay to travel alone, but don't ever forget, a minor accident can be a lot more serious. That's even true when you're not alone, and the weather is coming in and the day is turning to night.
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dp1992
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by dp1992 »

cool, just did bierstadt today for the second time, solo, and it was great, I was a lot more comfortable...because of this thread :-D but also, saw a few solo hikers so it was good
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Conor
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by Conor »

If you see another solo hiker, are you really solo?
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Gandalf69
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Re: Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

Post by Gandalf69 »

Yes, I went up Capitol today alone as a day hike. Go out and get it, leave people who don't want to hike behind.
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