SnowAlien wrote: ↑Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:24 am
DArcyS wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:19 am
I think the answer is statistical in nature. Take a look at the folks who have climbed hundreds of 13ers and see which ones they haven't climbed. That speaks to what people like and don't like.
I looked, and haven't noticed a theme. Peak choices are a function of having 4x4 (or not), affinity for driving, fitness level, home base, love(or lack of thereof) of backpacking, talus tolerance, preference for aesthetic routes, time-off, age, motivation, etc.
+1!!
Especially time-off. I'd also add job flexibility and socio-economic status to this list. Cost-wise, I wonder what kind of pricetag one accrues visiting all the 584 (ranked) 13ers? ..Perhaps a simple rough calculation... Gas, food and gear. feel free to add or critique!
For Gas
Assume:
1. Each trip is ~500mi RT driving. I estimated this using a trip from the front range (Longmont CO) to Gunnison CO and back.
2. 4 peaks/trip. At 584 ranked 13ers, thats 146 trips or 73K miles
3. Gas $3/gal (CO avg last 10 years)
4. decently good gas mileage ~ avg 30mpg (Includes 4x4 slo-going trips, think Beartown...)
5. no carpooling. sharing is caring, on your wallet and environment....
One 500mi trip at 30mpg and $3/gal comes out to roughly $50.1/trip (16.7gal burned).
With 146 trips thats
$7,314 and 2400 gallons of gas burned (yikes CO2)
For Food
Tricky, depends on palate...I shop at discount groceries and rarely eat at restaurants
Assume:
1. Just food chowed on the trip, not feasts consumed the day(s) after.
2. Um, $12/day and 3 days/trip?
So, $36/trip x 146 trips =
$5,256
For Gear
Depends on thriftiness and preferences. things wear out, get lost, etc. Remember this is spread out over 146 trips
Assume:
1. Summer+fall trips, little/no snow
2. decent gear at full price: 2 Rain jackets $120 ea, 3 mid-layer jackets $100ea, 2 light jackets $50ea, 3 upper base layers $45ea, 3 lower base layers $30ea, 5 wicking T-shirts $35ea, 12 pairs socks $15ea, 3 pairs pants $65ea, 4 pairs shorts $40ea, 4 pairs gloves $18ea, 3 winter hats $25ea, 12 pairs merrell moab ventilators $100ea, 10 bottles sunscreen at $6.50ea, 5 pairs sunglasses $15ea, 3 day-packs $80ea, 2 Backpacking packs $180ea, 5 Nalgenes $8ea, 2 water filter systems $30ea, 1 two-man tent $100, 1 sleeping pad $50, 1 sleeping bag $120, 1 climbing rope at $150, 1 helmet $60, 1 pair climbing shoes $120, 1 harness $50, 1 screwgate carabiner+ATC $30. I'll stop here for now
Gear total=
$4442 ...seems high to me
Grand total =
$17,012 ($7314 gas+ $5,256 food+ $4442 gear). Not insignificant by any means.
For fun, time spent: 146 trips x 3days/trip = 438 days or 1.2 years