#14ers — Public Fediverse posts

A game that took me to Colorado’s peaks!

I spent two weeks on a beautiful adventure exploring mountains, and I have 14ers to thank for it. Read about my journey from a novice climber to reaching peaks of over 14,000 feet, all from the tabletop!

Read my review article: https://pnptime.com/14ers-game-review/

#printandplay #kickstarter #mountainclimbing #colorado #14ers #traveling #boardgames #tabletopgaming

Grays & Torreys Peaks Redemption

A little over two years ago, I finally got around to summitting a 14er in Colorado. That was Torreys Peak by way of Kelso Ridge, a class 3 route, and a conversation starter when I tell people it was my first (successful) attempt.

The downside to that trip was that some bad weather rolled in and prevented me from getting the “combo” of Grays Peak with Torreys Peak. I had heard from other hikers that day that the hair on their neck was standing up, indicative of high electrical energy on the summit. My group made the choice to run down (as best we could) to lower elevations, leaving Grays Peak unconquered for me.

On August 31, I decided to finally change that. Fearing the notorious overcrowded standard route trailhead, I opted instead for the lesser used, but more strenuous Grays Peak South Ridge route. Driving down Loveland Pass as Dawes’ “We’re All Gonna Die” was definitely a surreal aspect to my arrival that morning (followed by silence as I was out of cell data reception) but luckily was not foreshadowing!

The first two miles were what I would call uneventful: a classic hike up a former mining road. I had heard some reports of moose in the area so I was attentive, but didn’t see any the entire day.

Somewhere around 12,500ft, the trail kind of just…disappears… and you are left to find your way across a meadow, always heading west towards the south ridge of Grays Peak. This was one of my least favorite parts of the day (both coming and going). Once the trail re-appears, its a long slog up the mountain.

I don’t have a picture that does the steepness of the slope justice. I do know you rise about 1200 ft in less than half a mile. It was so brutal on my legs that I had to stop every 50 steps and rest before motivating myself to keep going. Luckily, the omnipresent Grays summit was good motivation, and I could see other hikers celebrating on the top.

Once I hit the top of the ridge, there wasn’t much else to discuss – a simple 200 ft elevation difference separated me from the top of Grays, and I made quick work of that.

Once I let my lungs cool down, I started chatting with other hikers on the summit. I had at least 2 people encourage me to continue onward to Torreys. I was unsure if I was up for it, given I had already hiked it back in 2023, I didn’t need to “bag” it again. But talking with these other hikers changed my opinion and I decided to run down the slope and head towards Torreys, with the understanding this would extend my day and be brutal on my legs. But, alas… I’m stubborn.

There isn’t much to say about the hike between Grays and Torreys except that somehow going up Torreys’ South Ridge feels awful compared to Grays Peak for some reason. It was a slow slog up even though its a Class 1 trail.

I hiked up with two cool transfer students at CU Boulder. Him and his buddy were talking to me on Grays Peak and I essentially kept their pace on the way over to Torreys; we suffered together. They were also kind enough to take my photo on both summits. Thanks Ethan & Owen!

I had the chance to explain my story to a few other hikers (Torreys via Kelso Ridge back in 2023, coming back for redemption, etc.) and most were surprised I had done a Class 3 route as my first 14er, and others were surprised I had to re-summit Grays to get home. On that note, after resting up, I headed back to Grays to begin “winding down” for the day.

To say my legs were shot as I re-summited Grays is an understatement, but getting back to my car was the ultimate goal – more food, more water, comfy air conditioning… other than it being a slow climb, it was in no way technically challenging, just hard given the days events already.

The summit of Grays Peak for the second time was equally exciting, as I knew it meant no more uphill sections for me the rest of the day. Unfortunately, if the trip up the south slopes of Grays was rough on the legs, the trip down was brutal on the knees. The sheer steepness combined with the various scree fields meant it was slower than I would have liked for my descent. It took almost two hours to get from the top of Grays down to the mining road! On the upside, I did get a close encounter with a very chill mountain goat:

The hike back to the car was easy and peaceful, with only a few other hikers visible in the distance at any given time. I never crossed paths with anyone on this side of the mountain until I got back to the trailhead and saw a mountain biker.

Overall, I’d probably never do this hike from this approach again given how annoying steep the mountain is on this side, and the lack of any switchback-ing trail. But it was a great way to avoid crowds and tackle an otherwise popular set of peaks.

#14ers #2025 #Colorado #hiking #mountain

Grays & Torreys Peaks Redemption

A little over two years ago, I finally got around to summitting a 14er in Colorado. That was Torreys Peak by way of Kelso Ridge, a class 3 route, and a conversation starter when I tell people it was my first (successful) attempt.

The downside to that trip was that some bad weather rolled in and prevented me from getting the “combo” of Grays Peak with Torreys Peak. I had heard from other hikers that day that the hair on their neck was standing up, indicative of high electrical energy on the summit. My group made the choice to run down (as best we could) to lower elevations, leaving Grays Peak unconquered for me.

On August 31, I decided to finally change that. Fearing the notorious overcrowded standard route trailhead, I opted instead for the lesser used, but more strenuous Grays Peak South Ridge route. Driving down Loveland Pass as Dawes’ “We’re All Gonna Die” was definitely a surreal aspect to my arrival that morning (followed by silence as I was out of cell data reception) but luckily was not foreshadowing!

The first two miles were what I would call uneventful: a classic hike up a former mining road. I had heard some reports of moose in the area so I was attentive, but didn’t see any the entire day.

Somewhere around 12,500ft, the trail kind of just…disappears… and you are left to find your way across a meadow, always heading west towards the south ridge of Grays Peak. This was one of my least favorite parts of the day (both coming and going). Once the trail re-appears, its a long slog up the mountain.

I don’t have a picture that does the steepness of the slope justice. I do know you rise about 1200 ft in less than half a mile. It was so brutal on my legs that I had to stop every 50 steps and rest before motivating myself to keep going. Luckily, the omnipresent Grays summit was good motivation, and I could see other hikers celebrating on the top.

Once I hit the top of the ridge, there wasn’t much else to discuss – a simple 200 ft elevation difference separated me from the top of Grays, and I made quick work of that.

Once I let my lungs cool down, I started chatting with other hikers on the summit. I had at least 2 people encourage me to continue onward to Torreys. I was unsure if I was up for it, given I had already hiked it back in 2023, I didn’t need to “bag” it again. But talking with these other hikers changed my opinion and I decided to run down the slope and head towards Torreys, with the understanding this would extend my day and be brutal on my legs. But, alas… I’m stubborn.

There isn’t much to say about the hike between Grays and Torreys except that somehow going up Torreys’ South Ridge feels awful compared to Grays Peak for some reason. It was a slow slog up even though its a Class 1 trail.

I hiked up with two cool transfer students at CU Boulder. Him and his buddy were talking to me on Grays Peak and I essentially kept their pace on the way over to Torreys; we suffered together. They were also kind enough to take my photo on both summits. Thanks Ethan & Owen!

I had the chance to explain my story to a few other hikers (Torreys via Kelso Ridge back in 2023, coming back for redemption, etc.) and most were surprised I had done a Class 3 route as my first 14er, and others were surprised I had to re-summit Grays to get home. On that note, after resting up, I headed back to Grays to begin “winding down” for the day.

To say my legs were shot as I re-summited Grays is an understatement, but getting back to my car was the ultimate goal – more food, more water, comfy air conditioning… other than it being a slow climb, it was in no way technically challenging, just hard given the days events already.

The summit of Grays Peak for the second time was equally exciting, as I knew it meant no more uphill sections for me the rest of the day. Unfortunately, if the trip up the south slopes of Grays was rough on the legs, the trip down was brutal on the knees. The sheer steepness combined with the various scree fields meant it was slower than I would have liked for my descent. It took almost two hours to get from the top of Grays down to the mining road! On the upside, I did get a close encounter with a very chill mountain goat:

The hike back to the car was easy and peaceful, with only a few other hikers visible in the distance at any given time. I never crossed paths with anyone on this side of the mountain until I got back to the trailhead and saw a mountain biker.

Overall, I’d probably never do this hike from this approach again given how annoying steep the mountain is on this side, and the lack of any switchback-ing trail. But it was a great way to avoid crowds and tackle an otherwise popular set of peaks.

#14ers #2025 #Colorado #hiking #mountain

Grays & Torreys Peaks Redemption

A little over two years ago, I finally got around to summitting a 14er in Colorado. That was Torreys Peak by way of Kelso Ridge, a class 3 route, and a conversation starter when I tell people it was my first (successful) attempt.

The downside to that trip was that some bad weather rolled in and prevented me from getting the “combo” of Grays Peak with Torreys Peak. I had heard from other hikers that day that the hair on their neck was standing up, indicative of high electrical energy on the summit. My group made the choice to run down (as best we could) to lower elevations, leaving Grays Peak unconquered for me.

On August 31, I decided to finally change that. Fearing the notorious overcrowded standard route trailhead, I opted instead for the lesser used, but more strenuous Grays Peak South Ridge route. Driving down Loveland Pass as Dawes’ “We’re All Gonna Die” was definitely a surreal aspect to my arrival that morning (followed by silence as I was out of cell data reception) but luckily was not foreshadowing!

The first two miles were what I would call uneventful: a classic hike up a former mining road. I had heard some reports of moose in the area so I was attentive, but didn’t see any the entire day.

Somewhere around 12,500ft, the trail kind of just…disappears… and you are left to find your way across a meadow, always heading west towards the south ridge of Grays Peak. This was one of my least favorite parts of the day (both coming and going). Once the trail re-appears, its a long slog up the mountain.

I don’t have a picture that does the steepness of the slope justice. I do know you rise about 1200 ft in less than half a mile. It was so brutal on my legs that I had to stop every 50 steps and rest before motivating myself to keep going. Luckily, the omnipresent Grays summit was good motivation, and I could see other hikers celebrating on the top.

Once I hit the top of the ridge, there wasn’t much else to discuss – a simple 200 ft elevation difference separated me from the top of Grays, and I made quick work of that.

Once I let my lungs cool down, I started chatting with other hikers on the summit. I had at least 2 people encourage me to continue onward to Torreys. I was unsure if I was up for it, given I had already hiked it back in 2023, I didn’t need to “bag” it again. But talking with these other hikers changed my opinion and I decided to run down the slope and head towards Torreys, with the understanding this would extend my day and be brutal on my legs. But, alas… I’m stubborn.

There isn’t much to say about the hike between Grays and Torreys except that somehow going up Torreys’ South Ridge feels awful compared to Grays Peak for some reason. It was a slow slog up even though its a Class 1 trail.

I hiked up with two cool transfer students at CU Boulder. Him and his buddy were talking to me on Grays Peak and I essentially kept their pace on the way over to Torreys; we suffered together. They were also kind enough to take my photo on both summits. Thanks Ethan & Owen!

I had the chance to explain my story to a few other hikers (Torreys via Kelso Ridge back in 2023, coming back for redemption, etc.) and most were surprised I had done a Class 3 route as my first 14er, and others were surprised I had to re-summit Grays to get home. On that note, after resting up, I headed back to Grays to begin “winding down” for the day.

To say my legs were shot as I re-summited Grays is an understatement, but getting back to my car was the ultimate goal – more food, more water, comfy air conditioning… other than it being a slow climb, it was in no way technically challenging, just hard given the days events already.

The summit of Grays Peak for the second time was equally exciting, as I knew it meant no more uphill sections for me the rest of the day. Unfortunately, if the trip up the south slopes of Grays was rough on the legs, the trip down was brutal on the knees. The sheer steepness combined with the various scree fields meant it was slower than I would have liked for my descent. It took almost two hours to get from the top of Grays down to the mining road! On the upside, I did get a close encounter with a very chill mountain goat:

The hike back to the car was easy and peaceful, with only a few other hikers visible in the distance at any given time. I never crossed paths with anyone on this side of the mountain until I got back to the trailhead and saw a mountain biker.

Overall, I’d probably never do this hike from this approach again given how annoying steep the mountain is on this side, and the lack of any switchback-ing trail. But it was a great way to avoid crowds and tackle an otherwise popular set of peaks.

#14ers #2025 #Colorado #hiking #mountain

Grays & Torreys Peaks Redemption

A little over two years ago, I finally got around to summitting a 14er in Colorado. That was Torreys Peak by way of Kelso Ridge, a class 3 route, and a conversation starter when I tell people it was my first (successful) attempt.

The downside to that trip was that some bad weather rolled in and prevented me from getting the “combo” of Grays Peak with Torreys Peak. I had heard from other hikers that day that the hair on their neck was standing up, indicative of high electrical energy on the summit. My group made the choice to run down (as best we could) to lower elevations, leaving Grays Peak unconquered for me.

On August 31, I decided to finally change that. Fearing the notorious overcrowded standard route trailhead, I opted instead for the lesser used, but more strenuous Grays Peak South Ridge route. Driving down Loveland Pass as Dawes’ “We’re All Gonna Die” was definitely a surreal aspect to my arrival that morning (followed by silence as I was out of cell data reception) but luckily was not foreshadowing!

The first two miles were what I would call uneventful: a classic hike up a former mining road. I had heard some reports of moose in the area so I was attentive, but didn’t see any the entire day.

Somewhere around 12,500ft, the trail kind of just…disappears… and you are left to find your way across a meadow, always heading west towards the south ridge of Grays Peak. This was one of my least favorite parts of the day (both coming and going). Once the trail re-appears, its a long slog up the mountain.

I don’t have a picture that does the steepness of the slope justice. I do know you rise about 1200 ft in less than half a mile. It was so brutal on my legs that I had to stop every 50 steps and rest before motivating myself to keep going. Luckily, the omnipresent Grays summit was good motivation, and I could see other hikers celebrating on the top.

Once I hit the top of the ridge, there wasn’t much else to discuss – a simple 200 ft elevation difference separated me from the top of Grays, and I made quick work of that.

Once I let my lungs cool down, I started chatting with other hikers on the summit. I had at least 2 people encourage me to continue onward to Torreys. I was unsure if I was up for it, given I had already hiked it back in 2023, I didn’t need to “bag” it again. But talking with these other hikers changed my opinion and I decided to run down the slope and head towards Torreys, with the understanding this would extend my day and be brutal on my legs. But, alas… I’m stubborn.

There isn’t much to say about the hike between Grays and Torreys except that somehow going up Torreys’ South Ridge feels awful compared to Grays Peak for some reason. It was a slow slog up even though its a Class 1 trail.

I hiked up with two cool transfer students at CU Boulder. Him and his buddy were talking to me on Grays Peak and I essentially kept their pace on the way over to Torreys; we suffered together. They were also kind enough to take my photo on both summits. Thanks Ethan & Owen!

I had the chance to explain my story to a few other hikers (Torreys via Kelso Ridge back in 2023, coming back for redemption, etc.) and most were surprised I had done a Class 3 route as my first 14er, and others were surprised I had to re-summit Grays to get home. On that note, after resting up, I headed back to Grays to begin “winding down” for the day.

To say my legs were shot as I re-summited Grays is an understatement, but getting back to my car was the ultimate goal – more food, more water, comfy air conditioning… other than it being a slow climb, it was in no way technically challenging, just hard given the days events already.

The summit of Grays Peak for the second time was equally exciting, as I knew it meant no more uphill sections for me the rest of the day. Unfortunately, if the trip up the south slopes of Grays was rough on the legs, the trip down was brutal on the knees. The sheer steepness combined with the various scree fields meant it was slower than I would have liked for my descent. It took almost two hours to get from the top of Grays down to the mining road! On the upside, I did get a close encounter with a very chill mountain goat:

The hike back to the car was easy and peaceful, with only a few other hikers visible in the distance at any given time. I never crossed paths with anyone on this side of the mountain until I got back to the trailhead and saw a mountain biker.

Overall, I’d probably never do this hike from this approach again given how annoying steep the mountain is on this side, and the lack of any switchback-ing trail. But it was a great way to avoid crowds and tackle an otherwise popular set of peaks.

#14ers #2025 #Colorado #hiking #mountain

The sun rises behind Wetterhorn Peak and Uncompahgre Peak, two 14ers in the San Juan Mountains, #Colorado. #14ers #MountainPhotography #SanJuanMountains

The sun rises behind Wetterhorn Peak and Uncompahgre Peak, two 14ers in the San Juan Mountains, #Colorado. #14ers #MountainPhotography #SanJuanMountains

The sun rises behind Wetterhorn Peak and Uncompahgre Peak, two 14ers in the San Juan Mountains, #Colorado. #14ers #MountainPhotography #SanJuanMountains

The sun rises behind Wetterhorn Peak and Uncompahgre Peak, two 14ers in the San Juan Mountains, #Colorado. #14ers #MountainPhotography #SanJuanMountains

Mt. Elbert Summit Hike
- 12,000 ft
- No gear; a wooden stick, plastic bag over socks

#14ers

Mt. Elbert Summit Hike
- 12,000 ft
- No gear; a wooden stick, plastic bag over socks

#14ers

Mt. Elbert Summit Hike
- 12,000 ft
- No gear; a wooden stick, plastic bag over socks

#14ers

Mt. Elbert Summit Hike
- 12,000 ft
- No gear; a wooden stick, plastic bag over socks

#14ers

It's difficult to convey the sheer scale of this scene, which is a panorama of stitched vertical photos from a wide angle 14mm lens. The adrenaline of being at this precipitous spot along with the elation of the spectacular sunrise made for an exhilarating morning shoot this last September! #14ers

It's difficult to convey the sheer scale of this scene, which is a panorama of stitched vertical photos from a wide angle 14mm lens. The adrenaline of being at this precipitous spot along with the elation of the spectacular sunrise made for an exhilarating morning shoot this last September! #14ers

#Colorado (and much of the western U.S.) is in the midst of an "atmospheric river" winter storm that has dumped 2-3 feet of snow across Colorado so far. This morning Mount Sneffels made an appearance during a brief break in the storm. #SanJuanMountains #14ers

#Colorado (and much of the western U.S.) is in the midst of an "atmospheric river" winter storm that has dumped 2-3 feet of snow across Colorado so far. This morning Mount Sneffels made an appearance during a brief break in the storm. #SanJuanMountains #14ers

#Colorado (and much of the western U.S.) is in the midst of an "atmospheric river" winter storm that has dumped 2-3 feet of snow across Colorado so far. This morning Mount Sneffels made an appearance during a brief break in the storm. #SanJuanMountains #14ers

"Orion over Wetterhorn" : #Moonlight illuminates Wetterhorn Peak (14,015 ft), with the Orion constellation directly above. The three most prominent stars in the photo are Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran. #SanJuanMountains, #Colorado. #14ers

"Orion over Wetterhorn" : #Moonlight illuminates Wetterhorn Peak (14,015 ft), with the Orion constellation directly above. The three most prominent stars in the photo are Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran. #SanJuanMountains, #Colorado. #14ers

Handies Peak ~ July 2024

Amazing views, and so much fun driving through cinnamon pass. Hard to beat for a weekend getaway.

Keep climbing, everyone!

#14ers #hiking #colorado

Handies Peak ~ July 2024

Amazing views, and so much fun driving through cinnamon pass. Hard to beat for a weekend getaway.

Keep climbing, everyone!

#14ers #hiking #colorado

Here are a few more mountain shots. #Colorado #14ers

Here are a few more mountain shots. #Colorado #14ers

Here are a few more mountain shots. #Colorado #14ers

#Colorado #14ers Today I'll blast NFL and maybe NASCAR on TV while attempting to edit Thursday's videos into a single for YouTube. We drove up Mount Evans Road to Summit Lake before it closes for winter. It's already closed from the lake to the peak. I hope to have it online by tonight but it may overflow into tomorrow, you know how it goes.