The comment might have originated from any one of the dozen men trading sturdy hiking shoes for flip-flops at the trail’s eastern terminus. Already nursing sore muscles and swollen feet from the previous day’s climb of nearby 14,150- foot Mount Sneffels, the group followed up with an early summer ascent of 14,017-foot Wilson Peak over a less-traveled route spanning nearly 15 miles and 5,000 vertical feet.

So the words carried an additional element of satisfaction coming from Bowers, a mountain guide by trade working with the Ouray- based and highly regarded San Juan Mountain Guides. Reaching the summit of one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks is always gratifying. But sharing the associated sting of 10 hours on the trail with a hardened pro somehow sweetens the deal.

“For a lot of the peaks in our area, it’s pretty common for people to get a guide,” said Clint Cook, who owns and operates San Juan Mountain Guides with his wife, Ryan. “As people start getting down ‘The List’ to the last seven or eight technical ones, it’s a pretty big step up. The Wilsons, El Diente, Wetterhorn, Crestone and some of the peaks in the Aspen area definitely offer some exposed scrambling. They aren’t just hikes.”

“The List,” as most Colorado outdoors types are aware, refers to the elite peaks of the Rocky Mountain chain rising above 14,000 feet. By most accounts — including the U.S. Geological Survey and the Colorado Mountain Club — there are 54 such mountains within Colorado’s borders, interspersed among more than 1,500 points rising above 12,000 feet and 637 separate summits higher than 13,000 feet.

Colorado is the undeniable apex of America, containing nearly 80 percent of the 68 fourteeners in the contiguous United States.

California rankssecond with 13. Washington offers 14,411-foot Mount Rainier.
Mountains, of course, constitute only a portion of Colorado’s diverse geography, but since Zebulon Pike’s 1806 attempt at achieving the first recorded summit of the fourteener near Colorado Springs bearing his name, it has been the snowcapped Rockies that first come to mind whenever the state is mentioned. And now that the vast majority of the mountain snowpack has melted, the season for fourteener climbing is in its prime.

“June through September is pretty much the prime season,” said Cook, a year-round guide who is among the few Americans to have achieved full international certification through the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). “Once we get into the main summer season, we stay pretty busy every day. It’s as popular now for people to climb all those fourteeners as it has ever been, really.”

Reasons for climbing mountains are as varied as the peaks themselves. For some, it’s the challenge of achieving a set goal — be it a single summit or 54 of them. Others are focused on the fitness found through mountaineering. Still more are drawn to the isolation and allure of nature, with almost all the state’s fourteeners residing within established Wilderness Areas.

“I think a huge part of the appeal is that it’s such a great way to be a part of the natural environment, to get away from the hassles of everyday life,” Cook said. “It’s a great relief for the average person in society, and it offers both a physical and mental challenge.”

The fourteeners sprawling the state vary considerably.

Ranging from Colorado’s highest mountain range — the Sawatch Range concentrated in Lake and Chaffee counties — to the technically challenging Sangre de Cristo Range spanning the New Mexico border and the Elk Mountains near Aspen, all offer their own personalities.

Yet it may be the steep and dramatic San Juans bulging into the southwestern portion of the state that offer the greatest appeal to fourteener seekers. Second only to the Sawatch Range in concentration of the state’s tallest peaks, the San Juan Range offers an entire season’s worth of mountain climbing in relatively close proximity.

Among the most alluring summits is Mount Sneffels, accessed via the Yankee Boy Basin, just south of Ouray. Sometimes called the “Queen of the San Juans,” Sneffels’ towering summit stands prominent among the grandiose alpine walls greeting visitors approaching the range from the north. A 6-mile, round-trip route can typically be completed in less than six hours and can include some moderately difficult scrambling near the summit, varying with route selection.

“This is one of the classic fourteeners,” guide Cory Jackson said. “It’s a pretty chossy ridge, so it’s fairly hands-on. But you don’t get climbs like this in a lot of places.”

The reward for those who complete the scramble to the summit is a rarified view of surrounding San Juan peaks including Tea Kettle, Dallas and Kismet, valley views of the stunning Blue Lakes and the Telluride ski area.

Wilson Peak — not to be confused with nearby Mount Wilson, another fourteener — offers a stout follow-up hike. The iconic peak featured on the Coors Light beer label is best approached from the Bilk Creek Basin near Telluride, since the traditional (and much shorter) route in the Silver Pick Basin has been closed to public access by a private landowner.

As a result, the lengthy trail sees somewhat light travel through a more pristine basin below Lizard Head Peak, but is probably best approached as an overnight trip.

“Bilk Creek is a bit longer but a lot more scenic,” said Cook, who once led actor Tom Cruise to the Wilson Peak summit. “It doesn’t take triathlete fitness or anything like that. Climbing fourteeners is a pretty open activity for people who can walk for a few hours. More than anything it just takes a good head, taking it slow and knowing your own personal boundaries. A good sense of adventure and positive attitude are most important.”

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The Mystic SL 15 degree Down Sleeping bag is no exception. Big Agnes didn’t pull any punches on this bag. To start with the bag has very warm 775-fill goose down insulation, which works well in cold climates. Most people will tell you you’ll only want to use Down in dry climates. We’ve used Down across the country and for the most part it works well anywhere. If you’re planning on camping in areas that are predominately wet – Down might not be the best choice. Synthetic would likely work better. However for every right up to extremely soggy – Down can’t be beat.

Highly compressible, the bag weighs only 2 lb 7 oz. The integrated pad-sleeves prevent your bag from rolling off your pad in the middle of the night! There is also a “draft wedge” which insulates the area between the bag/pad which prevents colder air for entering that space. The bags collar seals around your neck – which also helps warm air from escaping your bag in the middle of the night. The bag comes with a storage sack and a nylon stuff sack.

For the price – and for the well thought out design and construction – you can’t go wrong with a Big Agnes bag.

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CHICOBAG’s DayPack rePETe, made of 95 percent recycled content (mainly water bottles), easily swallows a couple of snacks, a Sigg, and some sunscreen for a hike or bike ride. Back at home, you can stuff it into the small attached pouch. Other niceties include stretchy bottle pockets and a carabiner that’s 97 percent recycled aluminum. ChicoBag was started in 2004 after its founder, Andy Keller, toted some trash to his local landfill and was horrified by the mountains of plastic he saw. 5.6 ounces; holds 20 liters; $20; chicobag.com

TWO DAYS

When you’re up for an overnight trip, the easily compressed JANSPORT Salish keeps you light on your feet. It features a hydration tube, a padded back and belt, a detachable hood, vented shoulder straps, conveniently placed compartments, and several lashing points. JanSport raises funds for, and donates gear to, Big City Mountaineers, a nonprofit that takes urban teens on wilderness adventures. 59 ounces; holds 34.4 liters; $120; jansport.com/cloudripper

TWO WEEKS

Packs from GREGORY MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS are PVC-free, recyclable, dyed via a water-saving process, and designed in an eco-friendly office. The men’s Baltoro 70 and the women’s counterpart, the Deva 70, feature hypercomfortable suspension systems whose adjustable straps make it feel like the pack is giving you a firm but gentle hug. They’re ideal for a fortnight, especially if the rest of your gear is on the smaller side. Baltoro 70: 85 to 94 ounces; holds 68 to 76 liters; $290; Deva 70: 85 to 91 ounces; holds 69 to 74 liters; $290

TWO MONTHS

Most long-term trekkers plot out resupply points and thus don’t need to truck a huge load on their back. They look instead for the latest, lightest technology to help them make it safely from port to port. Durable ARC’TERYX Altra models are just about perfect. Their clever suspension system lets in plenty of air, while a rotating disc transfers the load in harmony with the body’s movements. Arc’teryx employs an independent auditor to help the company “substantially reduce the total amount of materials used over time.” 76 to 81 ounces; holds 62 to 75 liters; $375-$400; arcteryx.com

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Pawnee Buttes, two bluffs approximately 70 miles east of Fort Collins, rise out of the open land as the centerpiece of Pawnee National Grasslands. The 1.5-mile Pawnee Buttes Trail takes hikers to the first butte located within the 193,060 acres of protected land in Weld County. The second butte is on private land.

Visit early and watch the sun rise before heading out to the buttes. This experience provides the best way to absorb the beauty and expansive views of the area, as the air is cool, the wind is mellow, the colors are spectacular and the coyotes are calling. The parking lot and Pawnee Buttes trailhead face east, providing a fantastic viewpoint to watch the sun rise behind the buttes.

Rising a little more than 300 feet above the open prairie, the two buttes have served as landmarks for centuries to American Indians and settlers. But for hikers today, this area offers astounding views, excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and spectacular varieties of wildflowers.

Late May through the end of June offers the best opportunity to see a vast array of flora. To get the full wildflower experience at Pawnee Buttes, start at the Pawnee Buttes trailhead, take the trail down into the valley and then follow the dry wash, being cognizant of potential downpours. Flowers such as pink locoweed grow prolifically along the walls and in the shady patches. Climb back up to the bluff where the flora changes to more wind-proof varieties such as prickly gilia and hooker desert sandwort and then follow the trail to the buttes.

While hiking out to the buttes, watch for short-horned lizards along the trail; for eagles, hawks and falcons in the sky; and pronghorn antelope off in the distance.

The Pawnee Buttes Trail is open year-round, but the overlook, Lips Bluff and 200 yards from the bottom of Lips Bluff are closed March 1 to June 30 to protect the nesting sites of birds of prey.

There is no cost for use of the area and dogs are permitted on the trails. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, especially if you visit mid-day or during the summer. Plan on a 90-minute drive. Once you pass Ault, services are minimal.

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Emergency preparedness is important at any time, as emergencies are more common than people may think.

However, being prepared for emergency situations is even more critical when people are out in the wilderness and further away from phones or cell phone access, hospitals and emergency help.
More than 40 percent of Americans plan to go hiking or camping this summer, second in popularity only to swimming as a summer activity, according to a recent Red Cross survey. However, the survey also found that less than two-thirds of Americans feel prepared to respond to a serious outdoor emergency such as broken bones, animal bites or heat stroke.

Flash floods are a serious threat to summer campers and hikers, especially in narrow valleys where heavy rains can cause water to rise quickly. Media reports from Arkansas say that after more than a half foot of rain, water in the Caddo and Little Missouri rivers rose quickly overnight — at times faster than 8 feet per hour — inundating campgrounds in remote valleys and catching many campers asleep.
The American Red Cross has a series of preparedness tips that people should follow:

• Share your travel plans with a family member, neighbor or friend
• Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service.
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way — 6 inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way.
• If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than 2 feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water, as their curiosity could cause them to get too close to fast-moving flood waters.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.

Download our Flood Safety checklist, visit redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross for additional information on how to prepare for emergencies and to get trained.

Recognizing the importance of preparedness for people who are hiking or camping, the Red Cross this year began offering a new Wilderness and Remote First Aid course designed to teach people how to respond to an emergency in a setting where emergency help is more than one hour away — from treating severe wounds and broken bones to dealing with animal bites, bee stings, plant poisoning and weather emergencies.

The course includes recommendations for the contents of wilderness and remote area first aid kits, and offers training on what to do in emergencies that include allergic reactions, altitude sickness, sprains, fractures, burns, heat-related illness, hypothermia, lightning strikes, heart attacks, drowning, wound treatment and snakebite.

With summer starting and more people getting outside, it is important that families include emergency preparedness in the summer planning.
Sadly, severe weather and summer are inseparable. Preparedness is especially important for people who will be hiking or camping in remote areas.

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Located inside the new Summer Adventure Center on the Starbucks plaza level in Beaver Creek Village, the hiking center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers scheduled and private hikes and biking tours in Beaver Creek Resort, around the Vail Valley, and in the historic Leadville area, all within the White River and San Isabel National Forests.

Tours take hikers to pristine alpine lakes and Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks.

Hiking options are varied and include a free, hour-long hike on the Spruce Saddle Loop for beginners and the full-day ascent of a Colorado 14er for an advanced hikers. For a complete list of Hiking Center offerings including international trips a new Monday Mixer hike to 12,000 and 13,000 peaks in the area visit www.BeaverCreek.com.

All hikes include transportation, a professional guide and the use of Salomon packs and boots, Leki hiking poles, and rain gear as well as snacks and beverages. Picnic lunches are available upon request, and additional hiking equipment is on hand to rent.

For more information on the Beaver Creek Hiking Center, call 970-754-5373.

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At an outside lab, brave testers bared their arms in mosquito-filled cages and let ticks crawl on them. Consumer Reports recorded how long it took for mosquitoes to start biting and for ticks to crawl over treated areas. These bugs were free of disease, but wild mosquitoes in the United States can carry West Nile virus and Saint Louis encephalitis. Travelers outside the United States might encounter mosquitoes carrying malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. Ticks can spread Lyme disease, human babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Ten insect repellents were tested. The six top choices, all earning a “Recommended” rating from Consumer Reports, worked for at least seven hours: Off! Deep Woods Sportsmen II, Cutter Backwoods Unscented, Off! FamilyCare Smooth & Dry; 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8, Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus and Natrapel 8-Hour with picaridin.

The first four contain DEET in varying levels. The Environmental Protection Agency judges DEET safe when used as directed, but it has caused rare toxic reactions when misused. It shouldn’t be applied to infants less than 2 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents with DEET concentrations higher than 30 percent on any children. Consumer Reports Health thinks that no one needs a repellent with more than 30 percent DEET.

The active ingredient in Repel is oil of lemon eucalyptus. (It’s not recommended for children younger than 3.) Almost as effective was Natrapel, which protects with picaridin, a chemical newer than DEET.

Bottom line: Most of the tested products will do the job if you’re going to be outside for only a couple of hours, but look for a highly rated product to protect you on longer excursions.

The six top choices feel and smell somewhat different. Cutter Backwoods leaves little scent or sensation; Off! Deep Woods has a citrusy odor and filmy residue that panelists wanted to wash off; Off! FamilyCare has a fruity odor and dries quickly; 3M Ultrathon has a strong odor and leaves an oily feeling on the skin at first; Repel has a plastic beach-ball and citrusy odor and left little residue; Natrapel has a floral odor and is a little greasy.

When applying any repellent, follow directions. Use your hands to apply it to your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth, and don’t apply it to cuts. Use just enough to cover exposed skin. Some directions suggest using it on clothes, but most tested repellents damaged leather and vinyl, and some of them stained synthetic fabrics. Wash repellent off your skin and launder treated clothes.

For extra protection:

– Wear light-colored, loose clothes and avoid using scented products when outdoors, especially at peak feeding hours (dusk to dawn for most mosquitoes).

– Remove standing water near your house. It can be a mosquito breeding ground.

– To avoid ticks, tuck pants into socks and wear closed shoes and a hat.

– Inspect yourself for ticks after venturing into wooded or grassy areas.

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The outside shell of the bag seems super tough as compared to other bags that seem as though they’ll tear right out of the box. The zipper is great as it’s fairly stiff, which promotes easy zipping by one hand and prevents those late-night snags.

The interior is very “silky” feeling and cozy.

The bag compresses well and can certainly be used for backpacking trips. For a 30 degree bag, it actually gets pretty small, especially if you end up using a smaller compression sack. It takes a bit more time to shove the bag into the sack, but the end size makes a smaller compression worth it.

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“Our commitment lies in educating and inspiring passion for the outdoors and outdoor activity in all the company does.”

“The first National Camping Month became a nationwide grassroots initiative, with more than 50,000 individuals showing interest in outdoor education and camping,” said Steve Rendle, President of The North Face and VF Corporation’s Outdoor Americas Coalition. “The response from families and individuals reinforced the necessity of creating outdoor programs that are inviting and accessible to people of all abilities and walks of life.”

Building upon the great success of PlanetExplore.com, an online community to find local outdoor activities, and paralleling the Obama Administration’s Great Outdoors Month, The North Face will be holding free educational events, community activities and gear giveaways to inspire and encourage individuals, their families and friends to embrace the outdoors throughout the month of June.

According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2009 Special Report on Camping and 2010 Special Report on Youth, camping participation has increased almost 10 percent in the past two years, with friends and parents being the most influential in introducing camping as an outdoor activity. Nearly 60 percent of American youth ages 6 to 24 participate in outdoor recreation, with participation declining each year.

“The North Face sends expeditions to the far reaches of the earth, but the goal of National Camping Month is to encourage families and individuals to get outside wherever they find themselves – whether it be their backyard, a state campground, a multi-day adventure or one night of sleeping under the stars,” said Rendle. “Our commitment lies in educating and inspiring passion for the outdoors and outdoor activity in all the company does.”

OIA studies have found outdoor participation declines with age. Over the past three years the participation rate of youth ages 6 to 12 fell almost 20 percent for girls and 10 percent for boys. The OIA states this potential trend could negatively impact the future of conservation efforts that rely on individuals with a strong connection to and an understanding of natural systems and recreational landscapes.

The North Face retail stores will be offering a series of free clinics on topics such as how to select appropriate camping gear, pack a backpack, pitch a tent, make campfire meals and where to camp locally. The stores will also celebrate National Trails Day on the weekend of June 5 in partnership with the American Hiking Society.

In addition, The North Face, alongside The Outdoor Foundation, Backpacker magazine, and other industry leaders, will host the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit and Festival on June 19 and 20. The event will bring together tens of thousands of festival-goers, including 500 delegates, from across the country to celebrate active outdoor living while providing outdoor activities and advocacy raising awareness about the important role that the outdoors and recreational activities play.

To help consumers get the latest and greatest award winning camping gear, The North Face will be holding gear giveaways via Twitter (twitter.com/thenorthface) once a week during the month of June. For more information about National Camping Month including camping gear picks, and to find The North Face retail store closest to you, visit www.thenorthface.com, where online orders more than $125 receive free shipping.

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