Friday I am headed out to climb my fourth 14er. Considering there are 54 across the state, it is going to take me a while to climb them all. In fact my pace of checking these off at 1-2 per year is much slower than my inspiration of a few years ago, Mark Obmascik, who wrote Halfway to Heaven: My White-knuckled and Knuckleheaded Quest for the Rocky Mountain High. Mark set out to climb all 54 14,000 feet altitude picks in less than a year and then write a book about it. Not only did he survive his quest, but also he wrote a good book in the process (2009 National Outdoor Book Award).
As I explained in my 7/1/11 Hiking for Hearts post, I am headed to Mount Sherman to knock another off the list. One of the people I convinced to join me will be climbing his first 14er so I told him I would write up a checklist of what to bring. The items on this list come from several places, but when in doubt and you are looking for the right info, go to 14ers.com
- Hiking Shoes: It starts with the shoes and I think Merrell makes the best for hiking.
- Hiking Socks: Cotton sweat socks won’t do and nothing worse than getting a blister on a hike.
- Ball Cap: Good for the sun and the sweat when the temperature is warmer. I wear my First Ascent hat very time I climb a mountain for the first time.
- Beanie: For when it gets colder, which it usually does at some point in your hike.
- Gloves: I like polar fleece mittens where the fingers can be exposed with Outdoor Research shells. These serve me well skiing and they do the same climbing.
- Synthetic shirt: Avoid cotton and go with one of the popular breathable shirts.
- Synthetic Long Underwear: Again these are good when it gets colder.
- Wind Block Jacket: I love my Eddie Bauer downlight sweater. If you want you can pay twice the price for a similar one from Patagonia.
- Waterproof Shell: I am happy with my North Face Venture jacket, but several options are available.
- Convertible Hiking Pants: Get the ones with the zip off legs as you may want shorts when it gets hot. I picked up a pair at REI I like.
- Pack: I like Go Lite’s packs best.
- Water Bottles: You will need a lot of water so fortunately my Go Lite backpack has two sleeves on the side and I can put more inside.
- Snacks: Hiking for Hearts will give us lunch, but you will want munchies along the way. I love the S’Mores Trail Mix at Target.
- iphone: I have discovered that my iphone camera is about as good as any handheld and it gives me a lot more like GPS and a cell phone.
- Watch
- Knife or Multi-Tool
- Sunscreen: You really are a lot closer to the sun and you know it.
- TP (in Ziploc Bag): No one stocks this on the mountain.
- Space blanket and First Aid Kit: Just in case…
- Headlamp: In case you get caught on the mountain after dark.
- Trekking poles: I just tried these last year, but they are a huge difference maker.
- Ibuprofen: You will want these before and after the hike.
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