14ers.com

Hello! I am seeking to complete a new goal in the forms of a project, and I wish to share in return for advice. Anything helps. Without further ado, I'll get into it.

I am entering my Freshman Year of High school, and want to complete my most ambitious goal yet. Project 58-4 is pretty self explanatory off its name. 58 mountains. 4 years to do them. I am breaking this project up into multiple phases and parts, and seek to do a few things before officially sending it. So, first I go with a bit of Background about my experience, and a list on what needs to happen before becoming being able to progress further.

I am comfortable at high altitude. I recently hiked Handies, Redcloud, and Sunshine in 48 hours. Whilst the distance made it difficult, altitude didn't seem to cause any problems. I have made multiple summits a local mountain, about 6700 ft and is considered strenuous. Have done some basic outdoor canyoning, and can indoor rock climb to 5.10a, with my best being a 5.11a. I have a few things to do before officially being able to climb some of the more strenuous peaks. First, I am going to seek out a partner of reason. Whilst I do have one person, she is a teacher and is often quite busy, meaning that I need a person near my age with his head in a good place. Then, gear. I plan not only experiencing the class 3-4-5 terrain outdoors, but also doing it in winter. Then, just some planning and research. My basic outline goes like this:

San Juans, Year one (also the first 'push').
I will complete the `remaining 11 I have left to do, with plans to do Uncompahgre soon. The first push is just a way to say this is just finishing and establishing beginner experience on multiple peaks. For this year, I have done the three above, and will do Elbert and the DeCaLiBron in the next week or so. Once completing them I will head on to complete the San Juans, hopefully by around may next year. I also seek to do the El Diente - Mt. Wilson traverse. Next, year two.

Elks+Sawatch+Mosquito+Tenmile, Year two.
The nearest peaks 2nd only to the San Juan range. I will from there complete some of the most difficult and dangerous peaks, as well as traverses. Maybe if I can gain the confidence (or insanity) to do not only Maroon Bells, but the Capitol-Snowmass Traverse. That would be the Pinnacle of climbing for my early years, likely placing me and whoever is stupid enough to go with me as the youngest to ever do it. Then, move to the Sawatch, basic, easy hikes that are decently long but not too strenuous. With DeCaLiBron being done by this year, all that will be left is Mt.Sherman, and Quandary Peak. I will likely do the West ridge up Quandary, because practice makes perfect. I will finish strong and work on my skiing skill in the back country to make it possible to do some ski descents.

Front Range, Year three.
I will move swiftly here, completing as many as possible in as little of a time frame as possible. (Were talking multiple peaks within just a week or less) to avoid multiple trips across the state. If I have enough time, I will complete the Sangres range with it. However, its likely i will save it for the final year, due to some basic reasons. If it presents itself as possible and can be completed within weather windows, it will be the second and final push. Only notable route I might consider is Longs peaks Diamond, as it is one of the 50 classics.

Sangre De Crisco Range, Year Four.
I will quickly and swiftly complete this range within a lower time period for reasons similar to the front range. I will likely do the triple crown (Little Bear - Blanca Peak - Ellingwood Point in a day, and pursue other peaks quickly after. I will attempt Lindsey and Culebra as soon as possible due to the instability of private land ownership. Then, Kit Carson and Challenger, along with Crestone peak to Needle, being the 4th and final traverse across the 14ers. I might also stay a little longer and summit Crestone Needle twice so I can do the Ellingwood Arete, also simply because it is one of the 50 classics.

Also, if I finish early, i should have all the gear I should need to consider the feasibility of a Rainier Climb, and/or a Denali climb. If I pursue Rainier, I will attempt most likely the Liberty Ridge, and if I do Denali, most likely the standard route or one of the more difficult ones. Then well, here comes the Himalayas, but regardless it does not matter about the larger farther off mountains, as that will be in its whole other department.

Please provide helpful advice, critiques, and comments. I am not seeking a partner from online sources (I'm not THAT lonely). Thanks!

Project 58-4
Wednesday, July 10th, 2024.
1,210 days remaining at time of posting.

Obvious rage bait is obvious. But well done capturing a teenage Patrick Bateman vibe.

Dave B wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 9:28 pm Obvious rage bait is obvious. But well done capturing a teenage Patrick Bateman vibe.

had to look up rage bait, but okay. a bit of advice would be better than shooting at me first?

Lots of cynicism on this site... I'll assume you're sincere...

That's a fun looking plan and good to see you're allowing 4 years rather than trying to beat the current record of sub-10 days (other record attempts currently in progress...).

If you rock climb 5.10 indoors you're good for all the standard 14ers routes and probably most of the non-standard routes as well.

The biggest issue is endurance - if Handies/Redcloud/Sunshine was "difficult" due to distance then you have a ways to go for some of the stuff on your list. But if you build up gradually to bigger days, it's doable.

daway8 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 9:40 pm Lots of cynicism on this site... I'll assume you're sincere...

That's a fun looking plan and good to see you're allowing 4 years rather than trying to beat the current record of sub-10 days (other record attempts currently in progress...).

If you rock climb 5.10 indoors you're good for all the standard 14ers routes and probably most of the non-standard routes as well.

The biggest issue is endurance - if Handies/Redcloud/Sunshine was "difficult" due to distance then you have a ways to go for some of the stuff on your list. But if you build up gradually to bigger days, it's doable.

Thank you for the response. I agree 100% on endurance, as the distance of hiking on Red-Sun was pretty rough. I believe also with the time I have I can stay busy and active for later and more tedious climbs. Thank you again for your help.

Cross-training will help a lot with your project. Running, cycling, swimming, or whatever you enjoy will be an enhancement to your fitness and endurance. Hitting the gym for strength-training is also a great benefit. And don't think you have to do it all at once, just take it step-by-step, see what works and what doesn't. It's a journey.

Gulf_Coast_Hiker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 9:58 pm Cross-training will help a lot with your project. Running, cycling, swimming, or whatever you enjoy will be an enhancement to your fitness and endurance. Hitting the gym for strength-training is also a great benefit. And don't think you have to do it all at once, just take it step-by-step, see what works and what doesn't. It's a journey.

Awesome advice, I thank you for it. My current training regiment is somewhat along these lines:

Running (2-4 times weekly, 3 miles min.)
Climbing (route and bouldering)
Strength (Not as frequent as I should, but usually 1-2 times a week)

Thanks again!

That’s a serious goal. Definitely doable. I started climbing 14ers seriously my sophomore year of high school, and am now on my junior year of college with just a few to go. Some things I have learned along the way that may be helpful to you:

1. Start with easier peaks, and work your way up. The Sawatch is a great place to start, then get into some Class 3/4 routes from there. Build your risk tolerance gradually and with easier peaks.
2. Find partners- doing hard climbs is much safer and more enjoyable with another person. Feel free to PM me if you’d like company on some peaks.
3. Get education- for winter peaks, I can’t recommend AIAIRE 1 enough. Avalanche danger is real and requires considerable knowledge to navigate safely. Beyond that, the best teacher is experience. Make many small mistakes and learn from them.

In the end, enjoy yourself. I don’t remember the accomplishment of checking a box- I remember the friends I summitted with, the views along the way, and the challenges that push me to be a better climber. Godspeed on your journey, and stay safe.

ballardwf04 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 10:15 pm That’s a serious goal. Definitely doable. I started climbing 14ers seriously my sophomore year of high school, and am now on my junior year of college with just a few to go. Some things I have learned along the way that may be helpful to you:

1. Start with easier peaks, and work your way up. The Sawatch is a great place to start, then get into some Class 3/4 routes from there. Build your risk tolerance gradually and with easier peaks.
2. Find partners- doing hard climbs is much safer and more enjoyable with another person. Feel free to PM me if you’d like company on some peaks.
3. Get education- for winter peaks, I can’t recommend AIAIRE 1 enough. Avalanche danger is real and requires considerable knowledge to navigate safely. Beyond that, the best teacher is experience. Make many small mistakes and learn from them.

In the end, enjoy yourself. I don’t remember the accomplishment of checking a box- I remember the friends I summitted with, the views along the way, and the challenges that push me to be a better climber. Godspeed on your journey, and stay safe.

Noted, thank you so much!

I like the plan. Often as I observe these FKT attempts, I’ve asked myself what would my personal Fastest Time be for the 58 fourteeners. Usually when I think it through, I come up with something similar to your time frame of 3 or 4 years. Even if I had no financial or other constraints I’d start to hate the mountains if I climbed more than 15 peaks per year. Everything is about balance. So your time frame seems perfect.

The only thing I might consider changing is putting the Sangres into Year 3 and maybe consider finishing with the Front Range in Year 4. Getting Little Bear done before the very end would reduce some pressure. But I love the idea of focusing on the San Juan’s at the beginning.

JROSKA wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 10:28 pm I like the plan. Often as I observe these FKT attempts, I’ve asked myself what would my personal Fastest Time be for the 58 fourteeners. Usually when I think it through, I come up with something similar to your time frame of 3 or 4 years. Even if I had no financial or other constraints I’d start to hate the mountains if I climbed more than 15 peaks per year. Everything is about balance. So your time frame seems perfect.

The only thing I might consider changing is putting the Sangres into Year 3 and maybe consider finishing with the Front Range in Year 4. Getting Little Bear done before the very end would reduce some pressure. But I love the idea of focusing on the San Juan’s at the beginning.

Thank you. I will consider the swap around of years as convince arises. It also simply made the most sense to me to do the San Juan's first. Its the closest and offers all the experience I should need from start to finish. Thanks again.

I’d focus on climbing and doing difficult things and getting really good at that, then doing all the easy stuff when you’re older. It’s my one regret in life.