Colorado 14er Finisher Summary Stats

This is a compilation of various statistics and opinions on the whole experience of climbing all of Colorado's 14ers, for those who may be interested.



Total Distance hiked: 430.5 miles
Total Elevation Gained (and lost): 180,120' (6 times the height of Mt. Everest)
Average hiking elevation: ~12,000'

Number of "two in one day" summits: 16 (and one day was 4)

Overnight backcountry camps (different): 9



Miles Driven: ~15,000 (too lazy to calculate an exact figure!)

Times aborted summit attempt due to weather: 0



Times summitted in low visibility:  3 (Challenger, Kit Carson, Little Bear)


Beers on Summits: ? Probably about 12

Most difficult CO 14ers/Routes:

1) El Diente to Mt. Wilson Traverse:
A difficult class 4 upclimb, a crazy exposed narrow fin, loose rock, and an airy class 4 summit pitch make this one the worst.

2) Maroon Peak to N. Maroon Traverse:
If the 2nd crux's crazy exposure and difficult move 50' off the deck don't concern you, the difficult vertical chimney and tremendous exposure of the 3rd crux might.

3) Crestone Peak to Crestone Needle Traverse:
Some very airy moves and a stunningly committing final summit pitch put this route high up on the list. The downclimb from Crestone Needle is no cakewalk.

4) Little Bear Peak:
Not only is the hourglass a dangerous and difficult obstacle to negotiate, but the terrain above the hourglass is steep, loose, unmarked, and misleading. It's also often wet or icy.

5) Capitol Peak:
The knife edge is a real physical and mental difficulty, and there is plenty of additional class 3 climbing (and exposure), to get your blood pumping.

Honorable Mentions:
N Maroon: Steep, loose, and exposed. Route can be difficult to ascertain.

Sunlight Peak: Fairly easy until you summit the terrifying summit block

Snowmass Mountain: The rock near the summit is loose and deadly. The snow can provide a challenge.

Mt. Eolus: Extremely steep, confusing, and exposed climbing to the summit

El Diente: Very loose rock, steep near the top, and a tiny exposed summit.

This pic is not exaggerated

Overrated:
South Maroon Peak: Not very steep or very loose, no real crux to speak of
Pyramid Peak: A few overrated obstacles, crux is more of a routefinding puzzle
Crestone Peak: Some easy class 3 climbing that lacks any exposure, plenty of rest stops and easy routefinding.