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

Do you rely more on GPS, paper maps, or instinct when navigating alpine terrain?

#trailnavigation #colorado14ers

📍 Redcloud Peak, San Juan Mountains

Hiking 14ers in November | Tips for Safe & Successful Summits | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Temperatures on the fourteeners range from 40 F to -10 F in the month of November. It's one reason why hiking 14ers in November is so unpredictable.

🥶 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

Sunrise on the road to Missouri Gulch.
Looks quiet. But further up, the road eats low-clearance cars for breakfast. 😬

Before heading to any trailhead: check the road, know your clearance, and don’t wing it. The hike starts after the road ends. Plan ahead.

#Colorado14ers #MissouriGulch #TrailTips

Crampons vs Microspikes for 14ers | What's the Best Choice? | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog During Colorado winters and spring, traction is key for hiking and climbing 14ers. Here's what to consider when deciding on crampons vs microspikes.

Microspikes or crampons? Which is right, and when?

Choosing the proper traction for early-season ice and consolidated snow is essential if you plan to do any hiking this autumn.

Breakdowns + recommendations inside: thenextsummit.org/crampons-v...

#Colorado14ers #HikingGear #Traction

Hiking 14ers in November | Tips for Safe & Successful Summits | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Temperatures on the fourteeners range from 40 F to -10 F in the month of November. It's one reason why hiking 14ers in November is so unpredictable.

Hiking a 14er in November? Expect ice, wind, and short daylight.

Here’s how to plan, what to pack, and when to turn around safely: thenextsummit.org/hiking-14e...

#Colorado14ers #HikingSafety

Best 7 Fourteeners to Climb in the Fall | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog As the snow begins closing trailheads and increasing avalanche risk, here are 7 fourteeners to climb in the fall that remain accessible and safe.

Planning a fall summit? These are the 7 best 14ers for crisp temps, golden views, and safer conditions. Pick your peak wisely and go prepared: thenextsummit.org/best-7-fou...

#Colorado14ers #HikingSafety

Happy Friday, friends! ☀️⛰️

The weekend is almost here! Where are you heading to get outside? Hitting a 14er? Chasing fall colors? Or just soaking in some fresh air close to home?

#Colorado14ers #OptOutside #TheNextSummit #WeekendWarriors

Altitude Sickness 101 PDF Guide | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Altitude sickness affects 1 out of 2 people who climb a 14er, and 1 in 3 people who visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn how to prevent altitude

Hiking high this fall? 🏔️ Altitude matters.

Grab my Altitude Sickness 101 Guide to learn how to prep, recognize symptoms, and stay safe:
thenextsummit.org/altitude-s...

Where’s your next high-elevation goal?

#Colorado14ers #AltitudeSickness

14er Backpacking Trips | 7 Great Fourteeners for Overnight Adventures | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Most 14ers can be climbed in a single day - but it's a lot more fun and exciting to backpack them overnight. Here are 7 great 14er backpacking trips to take.

Want to turn your 14er into an overnight memory? 🏕️

Here are 7 incredible overnight backpacking 14ers to sleep under the stars:

thenextsummit.org/14er-backp...

What’s one you’re itching to do? #Colorado14ers #backpacking

Have you ever been caught in a lightning storm above treeline? What was it like?

#Colorado14ers #Thunderstorms

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone climbing their first 14er?

#Colorado14ers #HikingTips

What’s your favorite way to give back to the trails you love?

#Colorado14ers #TrailStewardship

Kilian Jornet’s Remarkable Journey Climbing Colorado’s 14ers This article explores Kilian Jornet’s extraordinary effort to climb all 14ers in Colorado, highlighting his endurance and passion for mountain sports. Jornet, a celebrated mountain runner and ski…

Kilian Jornet’s Remarkable Journey Climbing Colorado’s 14ers killbait.com/en/kilian-jo... #sports #kilianjornet #mountainrunning #colorado14ers

When was the first time you turned back on a summit attempt?

#Colorado14ers #Mountaineering

Have you ever experienced altitude sickness? What helped?

#AltitudeSickness #Colorado14ers

Which Colorado 14er do you think is overrated?

#hiking #colorado14ers

Become a Member of The Next Summit | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Become a member of The Next Summit to support outdoor ethics and safety education and protect the peaks, trails and wilderness of the American west.

Backcountry navigation? Altitude sickness? First aid? Leave No Trace? Members receive full, on-demand access to every lesson inside the Summit Skills Academy to learn at your own pace.

Enroll instantly when you join: thenextsummit.org/membership

#colorado14ers #leavenotrace #thenextsummit

What to Do If You Get Lost: Staying Calm and Getting Found | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Lost on the trail? Learn how to stay calm, use the STOP method, and improve your chances of rescue with these mountain safety tips.

Even the most experienced hiker or climber can get lost... it happens to us all.

You get distracted, missed a turn, and have no idea where you are. Anxiety creeps in. Now what?

Learn what to do in my newest blog: thenextsummit.org/what-to-do...

#GettingLost #WildernessNavigation #Colorado14ers

How To Climb a 14er: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Hiking or climbing up a 14er isn't easy, but it's possible to do so safely with a bit of planning and preparation! However there are a lot of factors to

🎯 Climbing your first Colorado 14er this summer? Read this first.

Most mistakes on the mountain happen before you even start the hike. This free guide covers gear, planning, safety, and more to reach your next summit successfully.

Check it out 👉 thenextsummit.org/how-to-cli...

#Colorado14ers

What was your first 14er—and how did it go?

#14ersofcolorado #colorado14ers #14ers #fourteeners #leavenotrace

🎒 Quick Tip for Hiking!

Follow 3 rules for packing and organizing gear in your backpack:

❌ Heavy gear at bottom = sore back.
✅ Heavy gear by your back & centered = stable/comfy.
🔦 Essentials on top/side pockets = easy access.

Pack smarter, hike happier! 🥾🌲

#HikingTips #PackSmart #Colorado14ers

Peak-bagging vs. scenic hiking—where do you stand? 🗻🏞️

What are your main reasons for backcountry hiking?

#TrailTalk #ColoradoHiking #Colorado14ers

Do you support increased public funding for backcountry search & rescue teams? 🚁🏕️

Why or why not?

📸 The old South Colony Lakes Trailhead, only accessible for rescues, with the Crestone Needle rising over the horizon.

#BackcountryRescue #SAR #HikerSafety #Colorado14ers

The view of Shavano from the summit of Tabeguache in the Sawatch Range.

I created a Colorado 13ers & 14ers image feed.
Current set of hashtags:
#14ers #CO14ers #13ers #CO13ers #13er #14er #Colorado14ers #ColoradoFourteeners #SanJuans #MountBluesky #Bierstadt #decalibron #Sneffels
Feel free to send suggestions to refine the feed.

Feed link:
bsky.app/profile/did:...

Don't let altitude sickness ruin your adventure. Join us to learn how to prevent and treat acute mountain sickness! Planning to hike one of Colorado’s 14ers or venture into high alpine terrain? Don’t let altitude sickness catch you off guard. Join us for a practical, science-backed webinar that breaks down everything you need to know to stay healthy and safe at elevation. In Altitude Sickness 101, you'll learn: ✅ What altitude sickness is and why it happens ✅ How to recognize symptoms early—from mild AMS to severe HAPE and HACE ✅ Proven prevention strategies, including acclimatization tips and pacing ✅ Emergency treatments and when to descend ✅ Best practices for planning high-elevation trips responsibly Whether you're preparing for your first summit or you're a seasoned mountaineer looking to sharpen your safety knowledge, this session is packed with actionable advice to help you thrive in thin air. -️ Hosted by The Next Summit, this webinar is part of our mission to empower outdoor enthusiasts through education, safety, and responsible recreation. - Bonus: All attendees will receive a downloadable Altitude Sickness Prevention Guide after the session. Spots are limited—register now to save your seat and breathe easy at altitude!

🚨 Free Webinar Alert! 🚨
Heading into high alpine country this summer? Learn how to prevent and treat altitude sickness before it hits.

🧠 Altitude Sickness 101
📅 May 14 | 6 PM MT
🎟️ Register: zurl.co/AMA101

✅ Symptoms
✅ Prevention
✅ Treatment
✅ Bonus guide for all attendees!

#Colorado14ers

Is there a 14er you’ll never climb again? Why?

#Colorado14ers #HikingNightmare

Twelve Colorado 14ers Set for Trail Improvements Due to $2.4 Million in State Grants | The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog Colorado awards $2.4M for 26 trail projects, including maintenance on twelve 14er trails and new stewardship crews across the state.

🚨 Big win for Colorado trails this week!

✅ $2.4M in grants awarded
🥾 26 projects funded
⛰️ 12 Fourteener trails getting upgrades
🧑🌾 New trail stewardship crews

Conservation meets access — here’s what’s coming in 2025:
thenextsummit.org/twelve-col...

#Colorado14ers #TrailStewardship

Should there be a permit system for overcrowded 14ers to protect the environment?

#Colorado14ers #LeaveNoTrace

This tiny wildflower, an Alpine Forget-Me-Not, thrives on Mt. Belford despite extreme wind, cold, and rocky soil. 💙 They survive by growing low to avoid icy alpine wind.

🚨 Reminder: Alpine plants take years to grow but can be destroyed in one step!

#AlpineWildflowers #Colorado14ers #LeaveNoTrace