Reporting the weather from 14,000 feet up
Chris Tomer at the summit of Torreys Peak (photo from MyColoradoOutdoors.com)
Denver’s Fox 31 weatherman Chris Tomer shared his pics from a recent fall hike to the summit of Torreys Peak, one of Colorado’s 14ers. The meteorologist reported summit temperatures of just 10 degrees – a bit brisk by most standards. Even more extreme is the fact that it took Tomer crampons and an ice axe just to reach the summit – and it’s not even close to Thanksgiving yet!
Hiking / climbing a 14er (a mountain more than 14,000 feet high) is a challenge for most folks even in summer conditions and attempting such a hike in the fall or winter requires serious skill. Aside from the altitude which can leave you gasping for air, conditions at the top of a 14er can be markedly different from those at the base. High winds, cool temperatures, extreme thunder storms, and even snow in summer can catch hikers off guard so it’s important to be prepared.
As winter snows begin to fall more frequently most routes to the tops of popular 14ers will be all be impassable due to deep snow conditions. Don’t expect to notch too many 14ers between now and summer – instead take a break and go snow shoeing or cross country skiing around the base of the mountain.
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