We've all done it.
Gotten to the trailhead and realized something critical was still sitting on the kitchen counter.
What's the most important thing you've ever forgotten on a hike?
And how did you deal with it?
Trail food confession: I only eat beef sticks above 12,000 feet.
Nothing else hits the same.
What's a food you usually only eat on the mountain, or that tastes ten times better when you're up there?
📍 Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
#TrailTalk #Peakbagging #MiddleTeton
What's your favorite underrated peak?
My favorite under-the-radar Colorado summit: Rosalie Peak.
It’s a front-range gem with big views for not a ton of effort, and it feels way quieter than the nearby “name” peaks.
If you’re looking for a satisfying half-day hike with a real summit, put Rosalie on your list.
Everyone talks about Bierstadt and Quandary.
What's a Colorado peak that you think deserves way more attention than it gets?
I'll share mine in the replies. 👇🏼
(Hint: the picture is a view from the summit!)
#ColoradoHiking #Peakbagging #Colorado13ers
Colorado's wildfire outlook for 2026 is alarming.
Record-low snowpack, 15,000+ acres already burned, and federal forecasters warning of one of the most dangerous seasons in recent memory.
I broke down what the federal and state outlooks say:
🔗 thenextsummit.org/2026-wildfir...
The #1 factor in whether you enjoy your first 14er or suffer through it? Fitness. Not gear. Not the route. Start training now and you'll be ready by June.
👉 thenextsummit.org/how-to-get-in-shape-for-a-14er-7-critical-tips/
Morning light and a cloud inversion on the approach to Middle Teton. Summer 2023.
Sometimes the best part of a big mountain day isn't the summit. It's the moment you stop, put the pack down, and just take it in.
Best morning you've ever had on a trail? 👇
📍 Grand Teton National Park, WY
Coffee, canyon walls, and a whole lot of gratitude for this community. ☕🏔️
TNS members fund the free webinars, safety education, and public lands advocacy that keep Colorado's peaks accessible. Membership starts at $5/mo.
Join us → thenextsummit.org/membership/
Mud season rule: walk through it, not around it. Stepping off-trail to dodge mud widens the path and kills vegetation. Your boots will dry — the damage won't heal.
If a trail is too muddy to pass, come back later. 🥾🌱
#LeaveNoTrace #ColoradoHiking
Spring is the perfect time to start planning your first 14er season.
But altitude sickness sends more people off these mountains than almost anything else — and most of it is preventable.
Here are the 9 warning signs to know before you go:
thenextsummit.org/symptoms-of-...
Colorado's snowpack just dropped to 29% of normal. That's the lowest ever recorded — below every year in the historical record.
Last week's heat wave wiped out a third of the remaining snowpack in days.
Read more:
thenextsummit.org/colorado-sno...
First day of spring. Colorado's mountains don't care — still full winter above 12,000 feet.
But the planning season is wide open. First 14er? Colorado Trail section? Learning to actually use that compass you bought two years ago?
What are you working toward this summer?
Every route guide, safety article, webinar, and free tool on The Next Summit exists because someone decided it was worth supporting.
If our content has ever helped you plan a trip or make a better decision in the mountains — membership is how you help us keep going.
thenextsummit.org/membership/
Free webinar — altitude sickness in Colorado.
What happens to your body above 10,000 feet. The warning signs of AMS, HACE, and HAPE. Prevention that actually works. What to do when symptoms hit on the trail.
Most common reason people don't summit a 14er.'
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Colorado's snowpack just hit record lows — 61% of normal statewide, some basins below 50%.
For hikers and backpackers: water sources may be unreliable earlier this summer, fire season starts sooner, and snow will melt out fast.
Factor this into your trip planning now.
#Colorado14ers
March in Colorado: 60° in the foothills, full winter above treeline.
The mountains will be ready when they're ready. Use the wait to get stronger, sharper, and better prepared than last year.
📍 Continental Divide Trail near Twin Lakes, Colorado
CAIC released its report on the first fatal avalanche of the season near Vail Pass. The slide ran only 180 vertical feet but a terrain trap buried the solo skier under up to 9 feet of debris.
Full breakdown: thenextsummit.org/caic-repor...
#KnowBeforeYouGo #AvalancheAwareness
How have you gotten outside already in 2026? Share a pic of your favorite moment so far!
#OptOutside #WinterAdventures
Still working on your New Year resolutions? Here's one tip: Get outside. 🌲
Hiking, biking, or camping reduces stress, improves sleep, & fights anxiety. Plus, you'll have energy to crush your goals.
My 2026 resolution? Spend more time outside. The benefits will follow. 🏔️
What's yours? #2026goals
Do you rely more on GPS, paper maps, or instinct when navigating alpine terrain?
#trailnavigation #colorado14ers
📍 Redcloud Peak, San Juan Mountains
What’s the most overlooked Leave No Trace principle on busy trails?
#ColoradoHiking #LeaveNoTrace
Colorado is boosting funding for its volunteer search and rescue teams with the first BSAR fee increase in nearly 40 years.
Here’s a full breakdown of what the shift means for safety and sustainability: thenextsummit.org/colorado-q...
#SearchAndRescue #14ers #ColoradoSAR
Handheld GPS or smartphone app: which is your best go-to on the trail for navigation?
Dive into the pros & cons here 👉 thenextsummit.org/gps-device...
#NavigationGear #HikingSmart
Headache, dizziness, nausea above the tree line?
Know the 9 warning signs of altitude sickness before you summit. 👉 thenextsummit.org/symptoms-o...
#AltitudeSafety #HikingSmart
🥶 November on the 14ers = beauty + danger.
Cold, short days & icy trails mean it’s time to hike smart.
Get prepped with “Hiking 14ers in November” from The Next Summit
👉 thenextsummit.org/hiking-14e...
#Colorado14ers #MountainSafety #WinterReady
🌿 Ever wondered exactly what “public lands” actually are, and how we can help protect them?
Check out “What Are Public Lands?” from The Next Summit. I explore different land types, stewardship, and how you can recreate responsibly while making a difference.
👉 thenextsummit.org/what-are-p...
Visiting or climbing high this week? Start with prevention. This clear guide explains symptoms, acclimatization, and what to do if trouble starts. Grab my one-page PDF and keep it on your phone.
Read and download: thenextsummit.org/altitude-s...
#AltitudeSickness #ColoradoHiking #SaferSummits
Need a recovery day after hiking or skiing? These Glenwood Springs hot pools deliver everything from classic big pool vibes to quiet river views. I shared pros and tips for each spot.
Pick your soak: thenextsummit.org/3-best-hot...
#HotSprings #GlenwoodSprings #ColoradoTravel
Step into Colorado silver boom history at Ashcroft near Aspen. Visitor tips, a short history, and what to look for on the loop, so you get the most from your stop.
Plan your visit: thenextsummit.org/ashcroft-g...
#GhostTowns #ColoradoHistory #RoadTripColorado