CAPITOL PEAK 14,138 FT - COLORADO'S HARDEST 14ER

Capitol Peak is arguably the hardest of all the 14ers via their standard routes. Day hike from Capitol Creek trailhead is a 17.5 miles round trip with 5,600 ft gain. I had my eyes set on this one since I started climbing 14ers in 2017, every time a new video would come on here or on Facebook, I would make sure I watched, and always my hands got sweaty and tight feeling around my chest because I knew one day I will have to face it myself. In preparations for this mountain I picked up rock climbing a couple years ago and although I have climbed way harder routes as far as rating goes this mountain always looked scary to me, not only do you have to climb it with no rope, but there is also the uncertainty of things you can't control like rock fall and weather window. Hope you guys like my video, Capitol Peak is now one of my favorite 14ers behind Crestone Needle.
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[@kentonlaws]

Having done Capitol, I never thought a video could do it justice - now I can share with those that have not been to the top my favorite Colorado hill.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!

[@1977enoch]

check out projectpanek although no voice audio only music

[@johnreilly8672]

It's only a "hill" by Himalayan standards 😎

[@MMTewtle]

I haven't done capital, but my brother has, was on the knifes edge with like 50-60mph winds, said it was the scariest moments of his life

[@corneliuspraeda6452]

Now I can LIE to my friends about having climbed it! Which seems like the safer option tyvm...

[@Pantovinator]

Thank you for showing me how my parents went to school back in the days.

[@tylermcafee]

Lol

[@tommroy]

Crazy but true: I summited Capitol years ago and our group met a climber as we headed down the following day. He was leading a group and we stopped and talked for a while. Sadly he died the next day attempting to summit. Years later I'm sitting at a bar in Snowmass waiting for a friend to arrive. I start chatting with the couple sitting next to me. We talked about climbing and eventually they remembered me from our chat when we were headed down and they were headed up. It was their friend who died and that was their first time back to CO since it happened. It was quite a crazy and emotional time for them and just the most bizarre "coincidence" that has ever happened to me. Oh yeah, Capitol is dangerous, be careful out there!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

wow!!! That is crazy coincidence, people die there all the time that why I waited to so long to do it and was extra careful on this one.

[@benwilliams868]

That's stupid and who cares anyway

[@HighlanderNorth1]

@@Theninjaonthemountains I was just wondering if anyone had fallen from up there, then I clicked into the comments section, and voila! The first posts are about people dying there. It's obviously the type of place you don't go if you ever become even slightly panicky when faced with steep grades and heights. Some people aren't even aware they can become panicky until it's too late. Hopefully your 1st panicky incident occurs while cleaning rain gutters on a 1 story roof, and not 1,000 feet up a sheer cliff. One may sprain your ankle at worst, the other kills you every time.

[@Nuttyirishman85]

@@HighlanderNorth1Theres a death on every mountain, for various reason. It’s an activity of passion, and impossible to get people to join you.

[@cayman597]

I think the guy who died had something to do with the reunion coincidence

[@mxaexm]

I can’t wait to never climb this peak! Awesome video.

[@rg3412]

Yeah, I’m not cut for this. My survival instinct is too developed. Glad more courageous guys like you are leading the way.

[@aydinsha]

Not exactly "leading" when thousands have done it already.

[@thisisgettingold]

If you ride around in a car you are coming far closer to death way more often than most mountaineers. Your odds of being a traffic fatality are far greater than your odds of dying on any given peak if you attempt a summit. So what you call "survival instinct" really is just fear of truly living.

[@r.8896]

I just read today about a female solo climber falling to her death when a rock had given away while she was climbing this peak. After watching your video, I can see how treacherous Capitol Peak can be. It was a white knuckler watching you demonstrate your mountain goat skills. I am glad you made it back safely. Thank you for sharing the awesome vista views.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you, yes that was terrible tragedy it was her last one too.

[@MrA1582000]

Many years ago….hiked up to the traverse,on arrival made a comment that “I don’t know about this”. My usually intrepid friend says that “welI I do, and I’m not going”.. My bravery quickly evaporated and we turned around. Knew than I would never complete all 14teeners. Did about 37, but not that one. Thanks for showing me that was the right decision. Climb down would really be scary. Great video.

[@bwagner1800]

Freaky free climbers.

[@erikwhelan3458]

Amazing video!! I have been watching a guy do the 7 highest peaks with a similar film style and this was more intense to watch. My legs were shaking just watching. Thanks for taking me along on the ride.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you!

[@ks8452]

I have a private pilot's license and I've done five or six static line parachute jumps, so overall I'm not afraid of heights. That said, I've been to Colorado a few times and I have a really hard time taking hikes like this. The vertigo I experience in the mountains overwhelming.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

that's crazy how the mind works. You are ok in the air, but get vertigo in the ground

[@natertots17]

Wow. The detail you captured is like no other videos of capitol that I’ve seen. Great job 👊🏼

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you, I really appreciate this

[@tenabar4555]

Absolutely mind blowing! And then a quick run back to the truck! Loved every risky moment! Thank you Ninja! Stay safe!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!!

[@ricksimms210]

I did this with my son many years ago. Thanks for the great video and the memories for us!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

your welcome, thanks for watching

[@GauravKhuranaxy]

Amazing job. I got goosebumps and some shivers just watching it . I don’t know if I can do this one but maybe some day. This video certainly helps to show what it all looks like . Congrats !

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks for watching, I thought the same when I would watch videos of it, but eventually overcame my fear

[@DMC1492]

Ninja.... thank you for the best video that I have seen on Capitol Peak !!!! Very well done . Informative and in-depth. Much appreciated and much respect. Peace

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!!

[@gordonquickstad]

That was awesome! Thanks for sharing. That rock is unbelievably shattered and loose.

[@CaptainSteve777]

I did that route about 30 years ago. That knife edge was freaky!

[@JaceJacobs]

10 minutes in. I don't know if I can watch much more. You got this! Alright, I have to see how this ends. I waiting to see when you will be running down the mountain.

[@nedanother9382]

You know that shit really can end badly. I was hiking locally in SoCal when my buddy and I ran into another hiker probably in her late 40's. My buddy who is extremely social struck up a conversation...within 1 minute of meeting her he asks her bluntly "what is your craziest hiking story." her face changes and she right away tells the story of her first visit to yosemite in Highschool. She was sweet on a boy and told her brother she didn't know how to approach him about it. The brother said he was going to yosemite for the weekend and suggested she ask him if he wants to go and do some hiking as a group...which she did. Anyone who has ever been there on the traditional route - you go thru the tunnel then do the "first look" then you head in with the first major attraction being Bridal Veil falls - they stopped and walked to the base of the falls...passing what, again for anyone who has been there, must be the most weirdly placed pay phone in the country. As they climbed around the rocks at the base, her with the brothers girlfriend while the boys moved up ahead, she heard her brother scream and found out exactly why that payphone is still there today. Her guy fell and within minutes of entering the park their trip and his life were over....she described what might have been the worst part for her...later that night at 16 years old, somehow by herself, she returned that young mans gear to the parents she'd never met. She said to this day they couldn't have been better towards her but she's still haunted by it. Two lessons here - Be careful what questions you ask total strangers....they just may answer them and secondly - consider WAY more than just your gear and physical ability to do these types of hikes. You don't HAVE to get to the top but your mother would argue that you ABSOLUTELY better get your ass home. Then do it

[@goody82az]

I love what modern camera tech can share with us. I'm not very religious, but God was like, lets mountain this right here. That's impressive rock shooting out of the ground in that specific location.

[@Nicks_Colorado_Channel]

Nice one! Thanks for posting

[@mattgonzalez06]

I will be attempting Capitol at the end of July. Your video gives great videos of the technical parts. Thanks for sharing

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you is not that bad just take it slow on the technical areas test hand anf footholds is a beautiful mountain

[@valparker4341]

We did this exactly 20 years ago and didn't even know it was Colorado's hardest peak. Great video that brings up a lot of great memories. Would love to go back some day. Thanks for sharing

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

20 years ago must have been so much harder without all the forums and internet information we have now, thanks for watching

[@eddiedelisio]

It’s definitely nowhere near the hardest peak in Colorado. 😅😅😅

[@thisisgettingold]

​@@eddiedelisioit is the hardest standard 14er route to summit, and when you say "no where near", please list 10 Colorado summits that are more difficult than Capitol, because I know most of them.

[@notyouraveragegoldenpotato]

Oh man. Traversing that ridge has to be MURDER on your knees😅 it hurts just watching this

[@PilotEJ401]

WOW, Rudy, really impressive how you upped the videographic quality on the one! Karl suggested that I check out...great captures the entire way, congrats!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!!

[@scottybohnen5942]

Capitol!!!! Badass man! You conquered this!! As always, thanks for the awesome content and video, very helpful for us. Hopefully going to knock this one out along with Snowmass mid August.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks man, both super cool mountains, i wanted to knocked both out one day trip last year, but they both have long boulderfields that drain all your energy.

[@scottybohnen5942]

@@Theninjaonthemountains Boulderfields are no joke! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll do the hikes separate days and do a rest day in between haha 😄🤙

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

@@scottybohnen5942 thats good idea, good luck man, you can get off the standard trail on snowmass and hit the ridge is a great mental training for capitol.

[@scottperine8027]

Congratulations and kudos on your patience and expertise.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!!

[@DeForestEveland]

I always wondered what the "knife edge" looked like. Great video!!! Know I know !

[@glenn71144]

Thank you for posting this "beast" hike.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks for watching

[@KarlDeckerPresents]

Nice job Brother! Amazing one day push. Super cool into too!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks man, thought about you a few times as I considered doing ridge direct.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

The summer Rockies are special.....so amazing.

[@joegreen3719]

Did it with a friend in '78 when we had the entire mountain to ourselves. Underestimated how rough the road in was, didn't get started until 11:30 AM. Got to the summit, narrowly avoiding a rockslide, with the sun low on the horizon. We were on a sketchy, grassy traverse above timberline, skirting underneath K2 right at dusk when it started to snow, hard - in August. My friend said he couldn't go on, and I got rather cross with him. We got back way after dark, hiking back to the car by flashlight.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

wow!!! those were the days, with very little information about the mountain, no videos and no go's cell phones

[@jameskelly2559]

Respect. That is a challenging day out.

[@michaelcomer1645]

Amazing footage. Thanks for sharing

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!

[@blackkened1]

Gorgeous!!

[@aaronbeepdoo9728]

Best videowork of Capitol, period!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you!

[@ryanmiles8056]

Glad you made it safely.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

me too, I was really anxious about doing this one.

[@rickyvandevall]

So sick!! That was way cool man.

[@TomAllnatt]

You are a braver man than I. My butt puckered just watching the video.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

😆 🤣 I remember watching videos of it and doing the same

[@pearldiver7]

Awesome climb; thanks for taking us along. Mindbending on that upper knife edge.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thanks for watching, that knife edge made me spend many hours at the rock climbing gym just to feel confident the day I did it.

[@pearldiver7]

@@Theninjaonthemountains Wise preparation for a really intense looking climb. Fun to watch from my livingroom 😎. Thanks again for a great video.

[@silkytx]

So sick!

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Looks memorable. Good on you.

[@ToblerX]

Best video of Capitol I've seen.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks for watching!

[@joewahrerMotorcycleMan]

Great run, I was a little nervous for you two but I'm glad you made it safely.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you!!

[@amateurhouradventures]

Congrats! That one looked brutal but fun!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you, yes it is both!

[@CLAelev1]

Looks like you’re ready for the Hillary Step! Great video!

[@ColoradoIRL]

Thanks for doing it for us so we don't have to 😅

[@aacc2622]

Awesome!!!

[@matycee]

heroic. my mate and I simply have to try this one! cheers.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you, is a really good one

[@4-SeasonNature]

Amazing.

[@Jeeps_N_Dirtbikes]

Nicely done!

[@nickjonson6996]

I'm impressed by how fast you were moving. I've climbed Capitol. It was a great day.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you, I am an ultra runner and most times I try to run 14ers as fast as possible. this one in particular I was moving fast on the aproach, but once I got to K2, I was more focused on not falling and was thinking every step

[@RyanLovesReds]

This has got to be one of the most dangerous hikes in the entire world. There is no room for error. I’ve done Mt Massive and started Angels Landing before deciding Nope! Took the West Rim Trail instead. I love to hike but also love living and know my limits. Kudos to people who can do this. You are braver than me.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

I was really anxious and scared to tackle this one ever since I watched the first video on it. I started rock climbing and got pretty good I gave this a shot. going unprepared for a hike like this can cost your life. In the end it wasn't as bad, but I had a good bit of experience by the time I got there

[@mahatmadoo2566]

Some of those angles and sweeps really grab ya by the conkles!

[@katahdin7324]

Wow I love this^^

[@cswalker21]

Impressive!

[@rvsekhar2020]

Brave hearted person, excellent video

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you!

[@kevinbond8966]

Elbert and Pikes Peak are good enough for me!!

[@michaellin6783]

it is dangerous indeed and congratulations!

[@vs123]

Video sharing absolutely my friend

[@nickyde628]

Great video!

[@WaPiTiChAsEr]

Someone dies up there every year, in 2015 some guys from the east coast were up there & decided to take a walk-a-bout at night. 1 of them stepped off of a ledge on the northside of Capitol Lake & plunged 1000’+ to his demise. I was working for an outfitter that leased most of the hunting rights in that drainage. We went up there on horseback with mules & brought the deceased down to the coroner. Rode that country on horseback on a daily basis for 6 months out of the year. Beautiful country, miss it everyday. Stay safe, great video.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks for watching, what a crazy story! I was really anxious for this one, glad it went well for me

[@corneliuspraeda6452]

I can only imagine the condition you found that guy in.

[@WaPiTiChAsEr]

Search & Rescue had already tagged & bagged the body, we loaded up & turned back to the hitching post. No one said a word for 5 hours on the ride down

[@jxyzbyyy8567]

I did that climb in my younger days by myself. Very dangerous mountain but I had no fear at the time. It was just fun.

[@os-walker]

This looks so cool I'd love to do this

[@dadestarmysteries255]

I don't know how you manage to shoot an amazing video while climbing to the top of a mountain this challenging, but that's awesome. I wonder if I'll ever find myself at this mountain. It won't be anytime soon. I am not ready for this kind of climbing yet.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you! It took me 4 years building up corage little by little for this one

[@jacobbaum4561]

Fuck yeah, dude! So badass. One of my goals too someday. Just got to not feed in the mental battle with the exposure. lol. Thank you for uploading this! :)

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

it took me 4 years to build up corage for it, thanks for watching

[@donaldwilson5693]

Awesome photography. I couldn't believe some of the spots where you were actually standing up an walking.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thanks for watching

[@andrewrivera4029]

Nice job, got my knee scoped in Feb so I don’t know if I’d be able to that this year.

[@Drivingdrew719]

I've hiked up pikes peak about 2 or 3yrs ago never climbed or hiked anything before that and it was a blast..today I finally did blodget peak all the way to the summit and signed in at the ammo box ..I tried it 2 other times the first attempt failed because we ended up scrambling the Boulder field and cliff face and realized it was the wrong way..turned back because of a time limit second time ..again time limit and ended up going a wrong way also. Finally got there today ready for more climbs and eventually this if all goes well. Thanks for the inspiration 🙏 👍✌ stay safe

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

good job man, blodgett is not easy to climb anymore the trail has gotten pretty bad over the past couple years, next one you need to do in the area is Cameron Cone

[@Drivingdrew719]

@@Theninjaonthemountains thank you brother 🙏 I appreciate it. I'll definitely check it out when I can. Subscribed and been watching a few of your adventures..your a beast brother. Keep up the great work 👍 👏 💪

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

@@Drivingdrew719 thaks for the sub man I did a video for cameron cone a while back, I am a normal guy just obsessed with running and adventure

[@Caarve]

Congratulations on the summit!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you!

[@manuelpreciado7268]

Thank you for sharing your experience! What kind of mushrooms did you find?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you! there were a bunch of different mushrooms, but only ones I knew to be safe were the boletes so they are the only ones I picked

[@dustinmay4498]

Glad you got this in but wish you could've joined us last year when we talked about it. Let's get out there soon dude!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

I got a couple trips to finish and they are both in the San Juans

[@dustinmay4498]

@@Theninjaonthemountains I still need a handful of those too, let's keep in contact.

[@Tyonline777]

The camera work on this is amazing. Good job on sound too! Was it just not super windy or did you edit it?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!! It was a perfect day barely any wind at all.

[@robertkinahan146]

Great video! I'm not worthy. At one point you said "Things are going to get spicy." Spicy is not the word I would have used. :)

[@christophercarrillo4726]

Bro this made my hands sweat just watching!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

my hands sweated editing it too, luckly they didn't that day.

[@tsiurek22]

Now that’s a mountain!

[@rugged9769]

Congrats on the summit

[@garethleitner9547]

Nice footwork!

[@penninewild5970]

Cool footage and amazing scenery, hope the shrooms tasted as good as they looked, thanks for sharing 🙏

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thank you, they were pretty tasty

[@66squarerat77]

KUDOS to You,,,Ninja Dude Amazing video,,, and ,,,an amazing climb. Its crazy the detail that this camera captures,,,and its also crazy that you cannot really see it,, its like the vampire of cameras,,,You can only see his shadow. Great video dude.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you, I love the vampire of cameras 😆 🤣

[@66squarerat77]

@@Theninjaonthemountains HA HA ,,, Drakuulll . Yeah Dude You have some pretty nice videos,,, Im gonna binge some later on the week,,,also Dude,,, can You share the details on the camera,, or its that some crazy experimental stuff ?

[@jimshorts5970]

I’m 54 with 16 under my belt. Hoping to get into the 30-40 range but this will not likely be one of them:) Awesome vid!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you! I have a friend that just climbed it and he is in his late 50s. I want to say 59, he went much slower but got it done, it is scary but totally doable

[@Piratedavessaltylife]

Nice one!

[@greenlenny3926]

Good job bro

[@ryanmecillas9759]

Amazing climb!! BTW what kind of mushrooms were those that you grabbed at the end?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!! those were bolete mushrooms there were tons of them

[@kevind4012]

Great hike and video. I hiked up the ridge to Snowmass and always wondered what the ridge to Capitol looked like. Nice Job on the video. *Who is your red bike T-shirt from? Rivendell? PathLessPedaled?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

I have no clue had it for years and was the only clean bright shirt I had that day

[@lukelee3]

Wayyyy better than gopro wide fisheye videos. 👍

[@nitwitboy]

Great video. At the very beginning, I thought you were taking rounds from an A-10 Warthog.

[@betrickey]

This climb makes Angels Landing look like a Sunday afternoon stroll.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

angels landing is one of my favorites, but you are right doesn't compare, I actually ran up and down angels landing, I have a couple of videos of it

[@Jason-pd6jv]

What time of the year did you tackle this? My brother and I where just in the area doing the Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

this was just 2 weeks ago

[@arsonsteeps]

Climbed it back in 2004. Solo’d it, used my technical rick climbing shoes for the knife edge. Had to traverse it on the way down in a freak 10AM hail storm. The rock was soaking wet and I had to sweep hail off of the holds. Holy pucker factor….. No lightning thank God!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

wow!! that most have been terrifying, I was prepared to turn around if the weather got bad. Luckily, I have a near perfect day

[@LifeSOSlive]

Damn, beautiful and great perspective. This is kinda silly, but what shoes do you use? I'm looking for new ones and stays looking for suggestions. We often do similar hikes to this for BASE jumping and high top stiff boots aren't ideal for climbing and hiking and lower profile shoes fit in our wingsuits better. Cheers!

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Damm, base jumping of something like that would be crazy!! I used altras lone peak, but they weren't great, LA Sportiva has best approach shoes

[@LifeSOSlive]

@@Theninjaonthemountains yeah the higher elevation makes for challenges on our start arcs with the wingsuits, but it makes for epic flights given the unique terrain and longer flights. Thanks for that on the shoes. I have those shoes and like them for running but not in love for hiking. Their tow box is pretty wide which doesnt fit into my wingsuit foot box too well. Ill dig into la sportiva, i have looked at some stuff at REI but they didnt have much low profile la sportiva options. Ill keep digging. thanks for the quick response and hope you continue to have the great and safe adventures!

[@JaceJacobs]

Damn! Crazy ass sh@t there. Did you have a parachute to go with that helmet? Good times. You rock brother. You did this all while holding your phone. Keep on trucking and having fun. Peace, Love, Namaste, Laterrrrrrrrrrs

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thanks man, this has been the hardest mountain I ever climbed, took me 4 years to build up enough courage to tackle it. 👊✌

[@localchumb]

awesome, awesome video man! How long did it take you to traverse the knifes edge going up vs back down the knifes edge?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

Thank you!! The knife edge itself takes a couple minutes each way is not too long, the way down looks a bit sketchier, but is the same thing. right before knife edge going around k2 to me is the most dangerous area because rock is loose, knife edge is solid as long as you stay on it

[@menochivo9507]

What gear did you take up there, how much water, food, and what 360 camera gear and accessories did you use?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

2 cliff bars, 1 nutrigrain, 24oz bottle with electrolytes lost it on way down and drank straight from the creek kind of sketch because lots of cows. Insta360 one x on a 10ft selfie stick

[@obomasinladen]

I had no clue colorado's mountains were this accessible, at least compared to wa. For reference, this weekend I ran 20 miles/5000ft all for a few lakes and a nice view of mt rainier lol. Even where I grew up in NH, you're putting in almost all 3-4,000ft to summit... 4,000 footers lol. Not into bagging peaks but Colorado is now on my list. I like accessible mountains.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

yup, Colorado is the mountain running mecca, there are 54 peaks above 14k all pretty accessible, I love it here

[@UrsusArctos8]

el diente was similar to this approach. Ugh. Thanks for sharing.

[@ctorb58]

Awesome man, we bagged our first 14er this weekend at Mt. Princeton. That was a breeze compared to this. Any advice to those nervous about exposure? I don't think I could tackle this one without some serious mental prep.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

best advise is start rock climbing at a gym and get confident, then start doing the class 3 first. best advise on exposure is don't look down focus on whats in front of you and always have at least 3 points of contact

[@donovanhays]

Yeah definitely work up to it. You need to teach your mind that if you have a good handhold and place to put your foot, then you are fine. That takes time and practice. You can be close to as confident climbing as you are walking once you've done it a lot. You'll never feel 100% comfortable with this high exposure. How many times do you just fall walking or climbing a ladder? If you are paying attention, never. So make sure you prepare and are paying attention when you're doing it. If you fall a lot when you walk, then maybe you should not be climbing haha! This is an extreme example, but Alex Hannold free solos because he's been climbing for more hours than most people do anything in their lives. When he sees a particular problem he can spot the holds and the solution and he knows he can do it. Lots of different climbing, not just 14ers because a lot of them are "easy", but they can get you used to heights and looking over edges even if you aren't really exposed. Find some with steeper scrambles and work up to more extreme exposure. The 14ers website has routes listed by difficulty and exposure with pictures and comments so you can work through them by difficulty.

[@ctorb58]

@@Theninjaonthemountains Thanks for the notes 👊

[@ctorb58]

@@donovanhays Great advice, thanks so much 👊

[@jimshorts5970]

Long’s is a great one to get a look at some exposure and experience rockfall potential without being too crazy. It was my first of 16 and the most fun.

[@BamThwok76]

that was intense

[@joelledbetter2926]

Heck no that's a crazy climb at the end and no rope nothing if u slip it's over...I've been scarred like that in American basin I climbed up the left side of the wall and it was easy going up but I had to go down facing the wall small step by small step

[@tomasr64]

My buddy Johnny D did Capital like this last year. And he is 45. A crusher! I did it like 20 years ago.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

I turn 40 this year and was one of goals before turning 40

[@harlandeke]

It doesn't matter how experienced you are, or how great of a shape you are in...if just one of those rocks turns loose when you put your weight on it...you are a dead man. That was sketchy, I don't kniw what is holding some of those rocks up and you guys just grab them like are terra firma..insane. It was amazing to watch...great job.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

thats absolutely true, experienced climbers have died on this mountain, I tried to always have at least 3 points of contact on something that felt solid and move slow and smooth.

[@harlandeke]

@@Theninjaonthemountains it was awesome to watch. Just be careful as you can and live your best life. I wish I could go back to my teens and start over again. I wrecked my best and healthy years with drug and alcohol abuse and I would do anything to have those years back so I could do amazing things like this instead of wasting ten years of my life on partying.

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

@@harlandeke running has saved my life as I have a pretty addictive personally myself. I was drinking and partying a lot through college. I hated running at first, but little by little it grew on me as I increased the miles. I am happy to be addicted to something that is at least healthy for me now.

[@sandybarry6370]

Great climb! Chills… were you afraid that brittle rock would crumble and slip under your feet?

[@Theninjaonthemountains]

I was, I could hear rocks crumbling from time to time as you are climbing and just a few weeks ago there was a mountain that collapsed in rocky mountain national park so all that was in the back of my mind.