Women’s Self-Supported 14er FKT

[Phill the Thrill]

My experience with the ranch is that they will not allow anyone to transfer a reservation. If one decides not to hike then the reservation spot goes to the next person on the waiting list. I had a friend who needed Culebra to finish the 14ers and there were several people willing to give her our reservation but the ranch would not do it. We begged, pleaded, etc. - nothing moved them.

[IntrepidXJ]

Decalibron and Lindsey are going to be busy this year with all these fkt'ers.

Maybe everyone that wants to hike these peaks should just start contacting the landowners and say they are going for a FKT to request access...

[MaryinColorado]

Out curiosity, you have a problem with the ranch charging you 150 but you're okay with reimbursing somebody else after they've paid 150 for a ticket they're not going to use because a member of their party dropped down? Or are you asking somebody on here to buy you a ticket? Wouldn't either of these be indications of you being supported by somebody else?

Within the past three or four years there was someone who managed to hike culebra from the north. They got a pretty hefty ticket for trespassing afterwards, but they were able to tag the summit. They say don't do their crime if you can't do the time. But if you can...

I do have a problem with them charging $150 as a barrier to entry. I have said the only reason I would ever pay is to set the speed record. Reservations are all booked.

I would challenge you to reframe your thinking on this. The folks that work on the ranch are locals, so the $150 helps pay for them, supplies, etc. The road gets taken care of nicely. Not to mention, these folks serve as an informal SAR team since there's not one in the area, and they've helped with a number of searches and rescues.

[Briere]

Based on their website it looks like you can only book until July. Is that true or am I just having issues on the site? Maybe worse case once August becomes available book for the first week of August and that be one of your later 14ers?

[highheeledhiker]

Out curiosity, you have a problem with the ranch charging you 150 but you're okay with reimbursing somebody else after they've paid 150 for a ticket they're not going to use because a member of their party dropped down? Or are you asking somebody on here to buy you a ticket? Wouldn't either of these be indications of you being supported by somebody else?

Interesting points...

Question for the FKT purists out there... how much help can a hiker receive to gain access to Culebra during a self-supported FKT?

I think paying someone that has ticket for C, should be OK. It's like paying for grocery or pizza delivery, right?
But not paying, or having someone else pay for the ticket is definitely being supported.

But what about...

I have a couple other connections who will most likely be able to get me access to the land

Is this being supported?

And knowing this group, I am sure someone will confirm, as much as they can, about how she gains access.

Self-supported means I cannot pre-plan any outside assistance. Getting legal permission from my connections in advance does not violate this.

Land disputes around Cielo Vista have persisted for decades. My family is all originally from the San Luis Valley. I know for a fact the surrounding ranch owners were given access keys to quell some of the conflict caused by Cielo Vista using unethical tactics to keep elk within boundaries.

[greenonion]

Based on their website it looks like you can only book until July. Is that true or am I just having issues on the site? Maybe worse case once August becomes available book for the first week of August and that be one of your later 14ers?

They close reservations to hiking at some point due to hunting season. I think that may begin in Aug and it remains closed for hiking for a few months thereafter

[9patrickmurphy]

Based on their website it looks like you can only book until July. Is that true or am I just having issues on the site? Maybe worse case once August becomes available book for the first week of August and that be one of your later 14ers?

My understanding is that they do not allow hikers after July as that is when they open for hunting, which is where they make their real money.

[CaptainSuburbia]

Decalibron and Lindsey are going to be busy this year with all these fkt'ers.

Maybe everyone that wants to hike these peaks should just start contacting the landowners and say they are going for a FKT to request access...

I was just considering that myself.

Just seems like an odd summer to choose to do an fkt with 5 peaks closed and a 6th sold out.

[highheeledhiker]

Decalibron and Lindsey are going to be busy this year with all these fkt'ers.

Yeah, a whole 2 people is going to make them super busy.


Best of luck with the permit! I'm sure you've considered all contingencies, but I'll add that climbing the next highest on the list might be something to consider if all else fails.

Hahah seriously. Appreciate it. That’s what I was considering. Or... with all the land closures... perhaps it’s about time for the record to change to solely legal 14ers. That way people who want to go for a speed record can actually go for it without having to deal with all this “who knows who” bs.

[highheeledhiker]

Decalibron and Lindsey are going to be busy this year with all these fkt'ers.

Maybe everyone that wants to hike these peaks should just start contacting the landowners and say they are going for a FKT to request access...

Carlos shoots them down...

[highheeledhiker]

Based on their website it looks like you can only book until July. Is that true or am I just having issues on the site? Maybe worse case once August becomes available book for the first week of August and that be one of your later 14ers?

My understanding is that they do not allow hikers after July as that is when they open for hunting, which is where they make their real money.

This is true

[zootloopz]

Decalibron and Lindsey are going to be busy this year with all these fkt'ers.

Yeah, a whole 2 people is going to make them super busy.


Best of luck with the permit! I'm sure you've considered all contingencies, but I'll add that climbing the next highest on the list might be something to consider if all else fails.

Hahah seriously. Appreciate it. That’s what I was considering. Or... with all the land closures... perhaps it’s about time for the record to change to solely legal 14ers. That way people who want to go for a speed record can actually go for it without having to deal with all this “who knows who” bs.

This being said, when Andrew Hamilton was going for his Centennials FKT, Decalibron was closed and he didn't know if he would be able to gain access, so he surmised that climbing the next 3 highest ranked peaks on the list was sufficient as far as effort (Niagara, American, and Trinity) in addition to hiking as far as he could legally for Decalibron.
https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/andrew ... 2021-07-19

Given that 6 peaks are being considered to be forgone at this point, I'm curious how this would "feel" as an honest effort. Would still be fun though. Perhaps maybe including Sunlight Spire could really amp it up.