I finished the 14er's in July of 2023. It took me 15 years. Some of my thoughts....
Hiking/climbing were not new to me when I moved to Colorado in 2007. I had been a rock climber in Yosemite and many other areas since 1975, when I began climbing. When I moved to CO in 2007, I switched gears to the 14er's. I also came from ultra's, mtn bike racing, long distance backpacking, and such. To push and try stuff, to look for my boundaries, have been a big thing in my life.
I wanted to finish the 14er's, list or not. It was personal. I wanted to then go on to the Centennial's, which I have a slow start on. It's personal. It won't make my bank account bigger. It won't make me better looking. They won't write about me in magazines. It's personal. To be fair....finishing almost any "list" won't fix most of the problems and challenges life brings. I do believe it sets a tone for our life and how we address things. It's good to re-examine our motivations, as the OP stated. Asking "why am I doing this" is relevant.
It's the attitude I took into it that made it what it is. Perseverance. Embrace the suck. Connection to like-minded people. Personal accomplishment. Finish what I started. I believe all these translate to other areas of our life. Do it for you...no one else.
I was asked by some people, after I hiked a 300 mile section of the Arizona Trail, if the trail was hard. I answered that the trail is the trail. The trail is not easy or hard. The trail doesn't change depending on the person that is hiking it. It's me, my attitude, my physical condition, my desire and dedication, my happiness as to the journey, not the destination, that has brought me the experiences I have most enjoyed.
Mike
Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
"There's a feeling I get when I look to the West and my spirit is crying for leaving" Led Zeppelin
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
I agree with others; this is a very enjoyable thread to read. Over half who are sharing their thoughts are fellow climbers whose comments I look forward to reading regularly on this site. Thanks for the original post, I don't believe your opening comment about not knowing what you're actually asking is nearly as important as the outpouring of emotions you've triggered from us.
My decades in the Colorado mountains have been amazing coming from New England. I'm closing in on finishing but am pretty sure there are a half dozen peaks that will be beyond my reach as I plod into my mid 70s (I started late as others have). I'm not planning on being disappointed in not finishing, I plan to hit Chicago Basin in the next couple years and stand on Sunlight's summit block right below that last step, say nope, and count it as done with an asterisk that will be it's own story. I won't enter it as completed on this site, I know it won't be without that last step. I'm down with that, I just want to see it in person.
I'm in agriculture and as I became enthralled with the fourteeners twenty years ago I also became a student of the Colorado River Basin and learning all I can about how we've over-allocated the water and the prices we're paying for doing so. About a decade ago I took a day off from peak climbing and hiked the trail on the backside of Trail Ridge Road that follows the river, just a small stream there, to its headwater up at La Poudre Pass. That hike was as satisfying and memorable for me as a fourteener which showed me that there's so much more than a list of summits. I brought a sample of water from the marsh home with me, it's right behind me here in the office as I type. Later that year I spent two nights at Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon and have a water sample from there as well. Next summer I'm planning on taking a two day side trip from Durango to Lee's Ferry below Glen Canyon Dam for a sample and on to Yuma to bring back a bottle of sand showing how the poor river's sucked dry before it reaches its delta at the ocean.
That many of us are sharing how personal our experiences have been chasing fourteeners is a statement of how lucky we all are to be part of this community. Bill could write a best seller from this site's content.
My decades in the Colorado mountains have been amazing coming from New England. I'm closing in on finishing but am pretty sure there are a half dozen peaks that will be beyond my reach as I plod into my mid 70s (I started late as others have). I'm not planning on being disappointed in not finishing, I plan to hit Chicago Basin in the next couple years and stand on Sunlight's summit block right below that last step, say nope, and count it as done with an asterisk that will be it's own story. I won't enter it as completed on this site, I know it won't be without that last step. I'm down with that, I just want to see it in person.
I'm in agriculture and as I became enthralled with the fourteeners twenty years ago I also became a student of the Colorado River Basin and learning all I can about how we've over-allocated the water and the prices we're paying for doing so. About a decade ago I took a day off from peak climbing and hiked the trail on the backside of Trail Ridge Road that follows the river, just a small stream there, to its headwater up at La Poudre Pass. That hike was as satisfying and memorable for me as a fourteener which showed me that there's so much more than a list of summits. I brought a sample of water from the marsh home with me, it's right behind me here in the office as I type. Later that year I spent two nights at Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon and have a water sample from there as well. Next summer I'm planning on taking a two day side trip from Durango to Lee's Ferry below Glen Canyon Dam for a sample and on to Yuma to bring back a bottle of sand showing how the poor river's sucked dry before it reaches its delta at the ocean.
That many of us are sharing how personal our experiences have been chasing fourteeners is a statement of how lucky we all are to be part of this community. Bill could write a best seller from this site's content.
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Honestly I think for most people, it is a little bit of both. For me it certainly is.
I started in 2001; hoping to finish next summer (10 to go).
But I have already thought about the possibility of working on the centennials. Not sure whether that will happen in its entirety or not (Jagged sounds really tough in many ways), but I really don't see myself stopping just because I have finished "the list" (if I am able to do that).
There have been a few climbs that haven't been that fun, but most of them have. I have repeated more than a few 14ers just to climb with someone I know. To me that tells me that I like the climbing and am not just working on a list.
But I am a goal oriented person, so "the list" looms in front of me. I am not sure that I REALLY want to slog up Lake Como road with a heavy pack, sleep in a tent, pray for no rain, and pray for good weather in order to attempt Little Bear.
But since I have 10 to go, and Little Bear is the only TRULY hard one left (tip of the hat to Crestone Peak, El D, and Snowmass though), I can't see completing 57 of the 58 and leaving it at that. It would be kind of like dropping out of a marathon at the 26.0 mile mark.
Goals give our lives meaning and purpose (although I would argue that if your only purpose in life is to complete a list of mountains, you are bound to be disappointed whether you finish the list or not).
As someone who lives in Missouri, time in the mountains is precious to me. Even now that I am retired, I still only get to the mountains a few weeks a year (my wife really isn't into them that much, and I don't want to spend months away from her).
So I think it is a little bit of both.
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
I started in 2001; hoping to finish next summer (10 to go).
But I have already thought about the possibility of working on the centennials. Not sure whether that will happen in its entirety or not (Jagged sounds really tough in many ways), but I really don't see myself stopping just because I have finished "the list" (if I am able to do that).
There have been a few climbs that haven't been that fun, but most of them have. I have repeated more than a few 14ers just to climb with someone I know. To me that tells me that I like the climbing and am not just working on a list.
But I am a goal oriented person, so "the list" looms in front of me. I am not sure that I REALLY want to slog up Lake Como road with a heavy pack, sleep in a tent, pray for no rain, and pray for good weather in order to attempt Little Bear.
But since I have 10 to go, and Little Bear is the only TRULY hard one left (tip of the hat to Crestone Peak, El D, and Snowmass though), I can't see completing 57 of the 58 and leaving it at that. It would be kind of like dropping out of a marathon at the 26.0 mile mark.
Goals give our lives meaning and purpose (although I would argue that if your only purpose in life is to complete a list of mountains, you are bound to be disappointed whether you finish the list or not).
As someone who lives in Missouri, time in the mountains is precious to me. Even now that I am retired, I still only get to the mountains a few weeks a year (my wife really isn't into them that much, and I don't want to spend months away from her).
So I think it is a little bit of both.
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains."
--Psalm 36:6
--Psalm 36:6
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Great question and kudos to you for thinking deeply about this before you get there.
I am a goal/achievement (aka dopamine) oriented person, which kinda sounds similar to you. For me this has taken the shape of traveling, thru hiking the Colorado trail, and climbing the 14ers. After the 14ers, I definitely had a letdown since now I'm wondering "What's next?". I suppose I don't have a "What's next". But I'm trying to draw more happiness and satisfaction from what I have instead of chasing a list or an achievement. As Sean said if your only purpose in life is to climb mountains or accomplish a goal then surely you will be let down. I've realized, for me, this is an unsustainable path to happiness and satisfaction. Maybe its more sustainable for you and other people here.
Towards the end of the 14ers I realized I had been blinded by the list. I love the mountains, but didn't enjoy the journey as much as I should have. Peaks 35-50ish were really tough for me. It was a grind where I wanted to quit every time my alarm went off in a cold tent at 3 am. When I got to the 50s I realized this journey would be over soon and started to try to savor each peak and live more in the moment. I also asked myself often why I was climbing the 14ers. I'm certainly glad I did it, but part of it also seems silly to try to rationalize all the time, effort, and money spent on this goal. Like it doesn't really make sense when someone asks me why I did it. Its kind of a crazy thing to justify when you step back and look at it! "Because it is there", I suppose.
Going forward I will not be partaking in any more lists but rather try to focus on individual peaks/hikes/backpacking trips that I WANT to do. I will focus on other hobbies as well and try to be more balanced.
Hope this word vomit helps you!
I am a goal/achievement (aka dopamine) oriented person, which kinda sounds similar to you. For me this has taken the shape of traveling, thru hiking the Colorado trail, and climbing the 14ers. After the 14ers, I definitely had a letdown since now I'm wondering "What's next?". I suppose I don't have a "What's next". But I'm trying to draw more happiness and satisfaction from what I have instead of chasing a list or an achievement. As Sean said if your only purpose in life is to climb mountains or accomplish a goal then surely you will be let down. I've realized, for me, this is an unsustainable path to happiness and satisfaction. Maybe its more sustainable for you and other people here.
Towards the end of the 14ers I realized I had been blinded by the list. I love the mountains, but didn't enjoy the journey as much as I should have. Peaks 35-50ish were really tough for me. It was a grind where I wanted to quit every time my alarm went off in a cold tent at 3 am. When I got to the 50s I realized this journey would be over soon and started to try to savor each peak and live more in the moment. I also asked myself often why I was climbing the 14ers. I'm certainly glad I did it, but part of it also seems silly to try to rationalize all the time, effort, and money spent on this goal. Like it doesn't really make sense when someone asks me why I did it. Its kind of a crazy thing to justify when you step back and look at it! "Because it is there", I suppose.
Going forward I will not be partaking in any more lists but rather try to focus on individual peaks/hikes/backpacking trips that I WANT to do. I will focus on other hobbies as well and try to be more balanced.
Hope this word vomit helps you!
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Why don't you set a unique goal in the area you live (canoeing all its rivers, hiking all of a state trail, etc.) and see if that gives you the same satisfaction as the mountains?montavonm wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2024 6:44 pm
I went through a rough patch of life this summer and unfortunately canceled my Colorado vacation last minute. I had some self reflection time and found myself wondering if I even actually enjoy the mountains, or am just chasing the checklist of 58 for whatever reason that I think will bring satisfaction (I tend to do this type of thing - marathons/ultras, 100 mile bike rides, etc).
TL;DR
Anyone went balls to the walls chasing all 58 peaks or other objectives in life and then felt sad/conflicted when it was over?
Having lived in the Mountain West for 15 years, I can tell you that, as much as I love the mountains (summited all 14ers in CO and all 13ers in UT), I could find other pastimes in other areas that would keep me just as satisfied. I'm happiest when I'm in pursuit of a lofty but achievable goal. Mountains are a means, not the end for me. Now that I have a 5-year-old and am limited somewhat on doing crazy adventures, he and I are working on visiting each of the 46 state parks in Utah. I'm having just as much fun checking off that list as the 14ers.
Also, moving to the mountains alone isn't going to solve everything in your life. In fact, it probably won't even solve anything in your life. Watch your Jeremiah Johnson--I think that is the entire point of that movie. All the mountains will ever give you back are what you take to them.
In terms of feeling sad once you've achieved a big goal, follow this advice: make sure you have the next one on the horizon before you finish the first!
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Oh how this thread resonates. If the 14er SKT weren’t so enticing, I might try to do something about finishing the list!
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Any personal goal, even good goals, can get in the way of other things, things that are good.
It's called balance.
I think most people don't set out to finish the 14ers when they start.
That might be changing a little.
I'm working on another peak list right now.
At times, it gets in the way of things. We had plans to finish that list this weekend.
But, a set back on the list last weekend, made us rethink our finishing plans.
It was actually a relief to stop and say, nope we'll finish next year and not be in a hurry, not stress about it.
Lets us enjoy the ride a bit longer.
So go after those goals, those peak lists, but leave time and space for other things that come up along the way, planned and unplanned.
And yes, finishing a goal, after the joy and excitement is over, does leave an empty spot in your soul.
Go find another goal.
Joel Q
It's called balance.
I think most people don't set out to finish the 14ers when they start.
That might be changing a little.
I'm working on another peak list right now.
At times, it gets in the way of things. We had plans to finish that list this weekend.
But, a set back on the list last weekend, made us rethink our finishing plans.
It was actually a relief to stop and say, nope we'll finish next year and not be in a hurry, not stress about it.
Lets us enjoy the ride a bit longer.
So go after those goals, those peak lists, but leave time and space for other things that come up along the way, planned and unplanned.
And yes, finishing a goal, after the joy and excitement is over, does leave an empty spot in your soul.
Go find another goal.
Joel Q
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
I’d very much agree. Though I’d go was far to say that completing goals doesn’t provide the ultimate fulfillment that we all seek - it is found in meaningful relationships. That’s my conviction.
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Yes, many people have those feelings.
If you’re a driven person motivated by goals and deriving joy from the destination and the grind moreso than the stops along the way, it helps a lot to diversify. You avoid the sinking ‘what now’ feeling when you’ve achieved goal X because you have multiple irons in the fire.
Set multiple goals, near and long term, and make sure something is always accessible to be worked on. Would also suggest including non-athletic pursuits. Your body will eventually start to fight you, trust me.
It can be difficult to break the habit of singular obsessive focus because of that voice in your head whispering ‘im just wimping out’ but you can. I think it’s an exercise in personal growth and maturing as a person. Challenging but worth it, and better to figure it out on your own terms than have life force it on you via circumstance.
If you’re a driven person motivated by goals and deriving joy from the destination and the grind moreso than the stops along the way, it helps a lot to diversify. You avoid the sinking ‘what now’ feeling when you’ve achieved goal X because you have multiple irons in the fire.
Set multiple goals, near and long term, and make sure something is always accessible to be worked on. Would also suggest including non-athletic pursuits. Your body will eventually start to fight you, trust me.
It can be difficult to break the habit of singular obsessive focus because of that voice in your head whispering ‘im just wimping out’ but you can. I think it’s an exercise in personal growth and maturing as a person. Challenging but worth it, and better to figure it out on your own terms than have life force it on you via circumstance.
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
Speaking humbly as one who likely won't complete the list of 58,
I think that those who systematically climb our 14ers are:
aspirational, high goal and achievement oriented, adventurous and curious.
Having a checklist to drive them just might dovetail nicely with these personality strengths?
They are likely ruggedly individualistic team players (ha ha--seemingly a contradiction
in terms). They are diligent, well-prepared, humble and honest, "reverent" and respectful.
They certainly embrace the demands of a deep, logistical challenge. They understand
that failure on any one of these points could lead to rescue or death on a mountainside.
On a personal note (my wife won't camp),
were it not for "the list" we would not have visited Westcliffe, CO (or many other small places
in CO, for that matter). There is a sweet mountaineering store in Westcliffe. The husband and wife who own
the store are super-cool. Yeah, also a decadent ice cream shoppe in town. After summitting Challenger
with my wife, we cleaned up in our little motel room and dined in an awesome 1970's style steak house
tucked in the foothills of the Wet Mountain range. We feasted on 3 courses (a shot of bourbon and a few glasses of vino too),
tipped heavily as the service was outstanding, and rolled out the door for less than a "Benjamin."
I can say the same for Salida, South Fork, and many other spots in the San Luis Valley. I think the
best part of "the list" has been getting to know the local folk in small town CO. Were it not for
"the list" I likely would not have seen the CFI staff and volunteers actively laboring on Huron and deciding that
"I needed to do that someday." A retired old surgeon, I've never met a better group of people--
staff or volunteers--than the CFI folks. (Yes, I worked with awesome people in my work life!)
I've loved the high mountains since summiting my first 14er--Mt Whitney--at age 12.
Besides my wife and son, these high mountains might be my deepest love. They beckon. Always.
I think maybe "the list" only serves the passion which so many of us share.
Frank Mayer, MD
I think that those who systematically climb our 14ers are:
aspirational, high goal and achievement oriented, adventurous and curious.
Having a checklist to drive them just might dovetail nicely with these personality strengths?
They are likely ruggedly individualistic team players (ha ha--seemingly a contradiction
in terms). They are diligent, well-prepared, humble and honest, "reverent" and respectful.
They certainly embrace the demands of a deep, logistical challenge. They understand
that failure on any one of these points could lead to rescue or death on a mountainside.
On a personal note (my wife won't camp),
were it not for "the list" we would not have visited Westcliffe, CO (or many other small places
in CO, for that matter). There is a sweet mountaineering store in Westcliffe. The husband and wife who own
the store are super-cool. Yeah, also a decadent ice cream shoppe in town. After summitting Challenger
with my wife, we cleaned up in our little motel room and dined in an awesome 1970's style steak house
tucked in the foothills of the Wet Mountain range. We feasted on 3 courses (a shot of bourbon and a few glasses of vino too),
tipped heavily as the service was outstanding, and rolled out the door for less than a "Benjamin."
I can say the same for Salida, South Fork, and many other spots in the San Luis Valley. I think the
best part of "the list" has been getting to know the local folk in small town CO. Were it not for
"the list" I likely would not have seen the CFI staff and volunteers actively laboring on Huron and deciding that
"I needed to do that someday." A retired old surgeon, I've never met a better group of people--
staff or volunteers--than the CFI folks. (Yes, I worked with awesome people in my work life!)
I've loved the high mountains since summiting my first 14er--Mt Whitney--at age 12.
Besides my wife and son, these high mountains might be my deepest love. They beckon. Always.
I think maybe "the list" only serves the passion which so many of us share.
Frank Mayer, MD
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
yes I am very much on the "Love of the Game" side of the equation.
I like preserving whatever sense of the forlorn and remote I can from our mountains. For me to look out at a horizon and say "done" would be a travesty. Although I'm getting there in summit county. But that's been homebase my whole life.
But add to that the fact that in preserving the forlorn - i do sometimes calculate how much i'd rather have a nice pure isolated mtn experience vs being around a ton of people? i was the only one on homestake last Friday all day!
I like preserving whatever sense of the forlorn and remote I can from our mountains. For me to look out at a horizon and say "done" would be a travesty. Although I'm getting there in summit county. But that's been homebase my whole life.
But add to that the fact that in preserving the forlorn - i do sometimes calculate how much i'd rather have a nice pure isolated mtn experience vs being around a ton of people? i was the only one on homestake last Friday all day!
Keep looking up - Jack Horkheimer
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Re: Hiking the 14ers as a checklist v.s love of the mountains
One thing I’d add is that, since you have run races and marathons, one exercise you could do is review how much fulfillment and satisfaction you got from completing (or winning) those. Whatever that is, you probably won’t get any more satisfaction from finishing the 58. I kind of think that these goals never fulfill us like we think they will; that’s why people move onto other goals so quickly.
If you genuinely love the mountains that’s one thing, but I wouldn’t base a decision to move here on just the goal of finishing the 58. Because what if you do it quickly and want to move onto some other goal that doesn’t center on Colorado peaks. You may end up wondering, why did I do that.
Finally I’m a big proponent of making sure that an activity provides joy and fulfillment. Not just the act of accomplishing a goal but the pursuit itself. Take a typical 14er climb for instance. Between driving and hiking, a trip could involve 5, 10, even 20 or more hours while time on the summit may only be a few minutes. So if the only joy is from being on the summit, it’ll be very fleeting. For me personally if I were tagging peak after peak in rapid fire fashion the activity would lose all appeal and joy. And it wouldn’t really make sense to keep climbing peaks at that point. Life is too short to pursue hobbies we don’t enjoy.
So whether someone strives to do all of the 14ers in 2 weeks, one summer, two years, 5 years, 20 years or 50 years, I think it’s important to enjoy the overall experience, even the trials, and not get too caught up in needing to accomplish the goal for fulfillment. Because realistically, the rush of achieving the goal will only last for a few days or so.
If you genuinely love the mountains that’s one thing, but I wouldn’t base a decision to move here on just the goal of finishing the 58. Because what if you do it quickly and want to move onto some other goal that doesn’t center on Colorado peaks. You may end up wondering, why did I do that.
Finally I’m a big proponent of making sure that an activity provides joy and fulfillment. Not just the act of accomplishing a goal but the pursuit itself. Take a typical 14er climb for instance. Between driving and hiking, a trip could involve 5, 10, even 20 or more hours while time on the summit may only be a few minutes. So if the only joy is from being on the summit, it’ll be very fleeting. For me personally if I were tagging peak after peak in rapid fire fashion the activity would lose all appeal and joy. And it wouldn’t really make sense to keep climbing peaks at that point. Life is too short to pursue hobbies we don’t enjoy.
So whether someone strives to do all of the 14ers in 2 weeks, one summer, two years, 5 years, 20 years or 50 years, I think it’s important to enjoy the overall experience, even the trials, and not get too caught up in needing to accomplish the goal for fulfillment. Because realistically, the rush of achieving the goal will only last for a few days or so.
“Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.” - Ecclesiastes 1:10-11