Colorado 14ers Gear List

[John Marques]

I'm going to Colorado in a few weeks (starting July 7th) to do a 5 day backpacking trip starting in Durango and taking the train in to hit a few 14ers and then take the train back. We all went and did a 5 day trip finishing at Mt. Whitney last year but from what I hear the terrain is quite different in the Rockies. I've posted my basic gear list bellow, I'm still missing a few items bellow I need to weigh like my convertible pants and first aid kit. Let me know if I'm missing something especially in the clothing area.

Also I know it adds a little weight but I like my bowl and cup which I didn't have last year

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=25102

[Valerie E]

I assume you're just going up to Chicago Basin (a short/easy hike from the train)…in which case a lot of the luxury items' weight won't really matter.

I think you're missing crampons/microspikes (keep an eye on trail reports for snow conditions), and possibly an ice axe. Folks are still reporting full-on winter conditions, and while the snow is beginning to melt, it may be August before it melts in that area.

I also think that your sleep system is sketchy. Unless you're a very warm sleeper, but even then… Last time I camped at Chicago Basin our tent was up at almost 11,000ft, and nights were very chilly!

[Ben C]

I would leave at home the BV500. Unless rules have changed, its not needed. I have not seen a lot of bear sign there and hanging food works fine.

I would take an ice axe. Some of the peaks have steep slopes that can be dangerous with snow, especially with no axe. Eolus comes to mind. The first time I went to that area, I met a backpacker at the train tracks with a dislocated arm. He said his friend was airlifted out. They were on Eolus without an ice axe. They started sliding and went down into some rocks. It was a bad trip for them. Check snow conditions. I know there is often still quite a bit of snow through July.

There are several items obviously left off. I'm sure you will notice them.

As to clothing, I would want to add a sun hat and a warm hat and maybe some light gloves. I would consider taking a rain kilt or rain pants. I would swap out one for the OR shirts for a Cap4 shirt, or just take one shirt.

[John Marques]

Thanks for the reply's didn't realize it was that different up there, I will be putting some of the essentials on there such as sunscreen and med kit ect… once I get home. We are a group of 5 so we'll try to bring for the group on some of that stuff. Here is a route I wasn't the planner so I don't have as many details

http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYXAtaGRychULEghTYXZlZE1hcBiAgIDAtqKkCAw

[John Marques]

Thanks I appreciate the comment my sleep system is new for this year as I was on the other side of the spectrum with my other sleeping bag last year. I was figuring I could use my 30* bag + my down jacket and layer up if necessary. I am a warm sleeper as well but we all get cold at times.

[Anonymous]

Options for consideration:

I'm a fan of a climbing helmet for class 3 and above. It comes in handy for the hail as well.

Other nice to haves(not needed at all):
*A 30 m rope and a couple slings to assist downclimbing/rapelling.
*Barometer with storm alerts
*Diamox Altitude sickness pills

I'm not sure if your shoes are ideal for crampons? If they don't appear to be as stiff/rigid on the bottom as normal mountaineering boots. this can cause the crampons to twist off easier or not transfer your weight to the forward spikes when front pointing.

[John Marques]

Thanks guys a few of those things other members of my group have so we should be all set and I've got a appointment to deal with altitude sickness since I had a bit of it climbing whitney last year. You have opened the eyes of my entire group about the conditions up there and we are working to take the necessary precautions which we hadn't thought of already.

Right now I'm looking at adding a few things to my list

Gloves

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018BGHFW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1BC8Q3RMAT9O6&coliid=IS65A2KTOT3N1&psc=1

Warm Hat

Haven't found yet thinking about a light fleece that can cover my ears

Sleeping Pad with good insulation

http://www.campsaver.com/neoair-xtherm-sleeping-pad

we are also looking into

Helmet possibly
crampons maybe
ice pick we hope not but another friend is climbing up next week and will let us know

let me know what you think of these choices to help with your concerns

[Anonymous]

Gloves prob aren't needed, but sure if you want. You're not really fighting the temperatures up there so much as the lingering pack snow/ice. I'd grab $8 polyester glove liners if anything personally.

This is a good hat I've used. It's pretty pricey though at $8 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002G9UEFY/ref=twister_B002G9U38W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Sleeping pad, you'll be fine with a $20 CCF ridge rest. or anything above 2.5 R rating. Once again temp shouldn't be a huge issue with a proper sleeping bag

Ice gear: I'll defer to the more experienced guys here but I'd prioritize the ice axe over the crampons. If you don't get crampons at least get microspikes. $50 kahtoolas are the gold standard almost everyone uses. I've had okay luck with the knockoffs ($10 http://www.amazon.com/Anti-slip-Cleats-Traction-Crampon-Walking/dp/B004TJEA8Q/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1434725713&sr=8-7&keywords=microspikes)

Typically the knockoffs tend to come off more often which is annoying but can be tolerable. Don't even try yak traks

If you don't have good crampons, you can use the ice axe to chip steps to traverse in. The ice axe is primarily for self arresting yourself if you start sliding though. If you have crampons they'll help you move, but if you start sliding, they can't be used to stop yourself.

[kristen buckland]

Based on our current colorado snow levels, I would plan on microspikes for sure, depending on conditions switch to ice axe and crampons. But we're having very warm weather now so just watch the forecasts.

Swap out the bear vault for a bear bag

I do suggest bringing light liner gloves.

Also, chicago basin is well know for rainy weather, we went last year and it rained pretty much the whole time. Since you're going as a group bring along an 8×10 or larger tarp and lines to hang up for rain shelter at camp.

Enjoy, the train ride is incredible! And be prepared for the crazy mountain goats!

[John Marques]

Thanks Kristen

right now we are looking to buy microspikes and an ice axe for each of us, gloves are a definite as well. Figuring we'll try to get a feel talking to people in Durango and the weather reports and decide about the axe before we get on the train. Great idea about the tarp I'll pass that on to the group.

[John Marques]

Ok so I made some updates

– got a better pad
– added gloves, and warm hat
– added an underarmor coldgear baselayer (already owned)
– added some microspikes
– added rain pants

Been watching trail reports from the area and supposedly its getting a lot better up there but still pretty snowy. Hopefully I'm to a point where my list should be a lot more doable. Let me know of any red flags

[Stephen Sandlin]

John, I'll be interested to see how your trip goes. We have a group of 4 going in the last week of July. Thanks for posting, and thanks to everyone else for the suggestions.

[Jeremy Werlin]

I would second the advice on some light helmets. The San Juan rock is some of the worst, especially compared to the glorious Sierra granite. The 14ers in Colorado are crazy-popular and the regular routes can become bowling alleys and your head the pin. Practice with your ice axes on some snow slopes with safe run outs before getting on the big stuff, too.

Be safe and have a fantastic trip.

[John Marques]

Ok so last week ended up a bit more tame than anticipated. We got off the train at Elk park and hiked up towards the divide, about 2 miles from the divide we went off trail to cut through and make our way to the basin but due to the elevation and cold weather hit hit my asthma pretty hard and we realized we wouldn't make it back to Needleton in time to catch our return train. So we just hung out in that area and did day hikes.

Even that that elevation was still a bit of snow and a ton of rain

[kristen buckland]

Sorry to hear you didn't get the peaks. The elevation is no joke, it can hit the best athlete.

Although, any time in the San Juans is a good time!

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