14er Fitness: How to Get in Shape to Hike to the Top of Colorado and California 14ers

[@nataliecastro125]

Very good video. Insane the kids are just absolutely demolishing each one easy 🤯

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

All kids syphon energy from everyone around them, this making us more tired as they only get more energized 😂

[@ambassadorgamin]

This is great advice! Looking forward to attempting quandary peak next year, that will be my first 14er

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Glad this helped. Good luck to you, and enjoy the climb!

[@mattfitzpatrick4008]

Hoping to summit Quandary for the 2nd time next weekend. Looking forward to branching out to 13ers and 12ers as well.

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Best of luck! Come back and tell us how it goes 💪

[@zacpohlenz5252]

I’ll be attempting Quandary Peak near Buena Vista, CO this summer. I summited Mt Yale (14,196) also near Buena Vista in September but I was in terrible shape, so the experience was not enjoyable. Hoping to have a little more fun this time around!

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Have fun, Zac! You are familiar with the new (started last year) parking regulations and reservations required for Quandary?

[@tacul9333]

If you haven't done it already, you should consider taking your boys up Kiener's on Long's Peak. Terrific route. I did it with my 9 year old son 20+ years ago, and it was a great experience for all of us. (Took a friend along too, so it was a group of 3.) Hiked in and bivied at Chasm Lake, then climbed and hiked out the next day.

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

They are getting close to putting in some big days. They have a few goals for which Kiener's could make a good stop along the progression. Nice seed-planting 🌱🌳

[@kylebeyerlein3335]

Very informative and Keep up the great work!

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Appreciate you watching!

[@ryan_the_red_4907]

Excellent clear video, thanks! I use a Hypoxico (normobaric hypoxia) tent for 30+ minutes at 11-14% O2 nightly for general health/longevity, hoping it might make my summer 14ers a bit easier too Anyone have experience preconditioning for altitude with normobaric hypoxia?

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

You won't find many 14er hikers using hypoxic chambers, as they just aren't high enough, but it is becoming more and more common in the high-altitude community (8000m peaks, etc.). Some companies (Like Alpenglow Expeditions) are actually using that type of pre-acclimitization for a subset of their big mountain expeditions where everyone on the team is shipped a hypoxic tent and given a program to follow. Then that whole team does a more rapid ascent of the mountain with fewer rotations. They've had pretty good results.

[@andrewmarsman3294]

I just did my first 14er last week. I hiked it less than 24 hours after flying from Michigan which is almost 14,000 feet lower. I thought I would be fine since I did a ton of cardio before, and it did help. But the altitude definitely slowed me down. I didn’t get dehydrated or headaches but I had to stop for breathers every few hundred feet. I averaged 1.5 miles an hour and felt like I was running 7 mph for the whole day. If I acclimated, I wonder how much faster (if any) I could have hiked. I did climb Elbert successfully. Thanks for the video.

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Congratulations on the summit. I hope it was enjoyable in that "maybe not at every moment" kind of way. As you point out, an acclimatization schedule may have helped. I've got another video on that which concludes with a potential plan for flatlanders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnXbkpuOe6x1eqM Any way, nice job! 💪👍

[@andrewmarsman3294]

@@ShortGuysBetaWorks thanks I’ll be sure to check that out for my next big hike and I’ll subscribe

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Appreciate it!

[@toesand1992]

I did the mantiou incline now I have my eyes set on Pikes Peak. I have no experience

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

Best of luck! Let me know how it goes! 🏔️💪

[@jarodking9754]

I think I’m going to try Langley for my first peak

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

A great one to try out altitude! Big vertical gain and big miles. When are you hoping to go?

[@SJMilnor]

Great video! Any chance you could suggest a good first 13er and first 14er for a road trip across the country in May?

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

There will still be a lot of snow, in May. 14er season is really late June through early September. A low 13er with a lot of sun would be best. Maybe Mount Sniktau? For a 14er, you need something low and with an eastern aspect for the trail (more sun, more snow melt). Maybe Mount Sherman?

[@SJMilnor]

@@ShortGuysBetaWorks Thanks so much! I'll check the trail conditions for those.

[@SJMilnor]

@@ShortGuysBetaWorks Hey, just wanted to thank you again for the suggestions. I summited Mt Sniktau a week ago today! The altitude and steep climb (roughly half rock and half snow) made for an incredibly difficult short hike. It was the perfect first 13er!

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

@@SJMilnor Glad you enjoyed your summit! Congrats!!

[@izatt82]

Best ways to train vertical for the flat landers?

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

In my order of preference: 1) hill repeats (either running up small hills with many reps, or weighted pack up bigger hills with fewer reps): 2) repeat flights of stairs (same as above); 3) stair master; 4) box step ups.