If the idea of hiking a 14,000+ foot mountain seems daunting to you, that's understandable. The challenge shouldn't be a reason not to do it, though. Hiking a 14er is an incredible experience, and if you need any convincing, just keep reading.
1. The view at the top.
Seeing the world from 14,265 feet is seriously amazing. I recently hiked Quandary Peak with a friend, and the view from the top was simply stunning. I could see for miles, and everything on the ground looked so small.
2. Meditation.
Being at such a high altitude meant that we had to take a lot of breaks, but it actually made the hike better. There was no one else around us, and we just sat perfectly silently and looked around. I think we stayed there for about 10 minutes before deciding to move on because it was just so calming.
3. Exercise.
The trail we hiked was about 5k out, 5k back, which doesn't sound that bad until you factor in the fact that you're anywhere from 10,700 to 14,000 feet. Hiking a 14er definitely works your legs and your lungs to their full capacity. It's a fun change from going to the gym, though, and your surroundings are undoubtedly better.
4. Bonding time.
You shouldn't hike a 14er alone for two reasons. One, because it's probably not the safest thing to do. And two, because when you have that much time, it's nice to have someone to talk to. Believe me, being able to talk to someone and having someone to share that incredible experience with is great.
5. The people.
Outdoorsy people have a reputation for being very friendly, and rightly so. Almost every person we passed on our hike said hi to us, asked us how we were doing and wished us a good hike — and we returned the favor.
6. The sense of accomplishment.
Hiking a mountain that tall is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you're looking up at the summit from the bottom of the trail. The feeling of relief and happiness when you get to the top made all the pain and lack of air on the way to the top worth it. Plus, getting to relax on the summit and take in that amazing view is a great reward, too.
7. Neat-ure.
There was some pretty neat wildlife on the trail that we hiked. We saw about five goats, and some hikers had their dogs with them, too. Lower on the mountain, there were also a ton of beautiful wildflowers. It was pretty neat. I guess that's why they call it neat-ure.
8. The drive.
Even driving out to Quandary Peak was nice because we got to go through the mountains on the way there and back. It's so beautiful that I didn't even care that it was almost a two-hour drive.
9. Exploring.
I ski at Breckenridge a lot during the winter, but this was the first time I had been up to the mountains in the summer. Going up in the summer was awesome, and I got to see just how beautiful the mountains were with all their trees and rocks not covered in snow. It was cool to see a different side of Colorado.
10. You'll (probably) end up loving it.
I know I did. I'm already planning my next 14er, even though my legs haven't stopped hating me for the last one. It's a great new hobby for Colorado summers, and I can't wait to start hiking even more of them and seeing what this beautiful state has to offer.
