Beyond the Thirteeners
By Bob Martin
Climbing to the high points of mountain ranges is a popular goal in other western states, but it is not so popular in Colorado. There are several reasons for this. One is Colorado’s geology, with some ranges ill-defined and many ranges being sub-ranges of larger ranges. In contrast, some other states, such as Arizona and Nevada, have many more ranges that are separated from one another. Another reason is that many Colorado climbers are most interested in the 14ers and other high mountains and ignore lower mountains unless they are close to home.
In an effort to stimulate an interest in climbing to the high points of Colorado mountain ranges, I researched and wrote an article that appeared in the July-August, 1997, issue of Trail and Timberline. The article listed a mere forty-five range high points. Purposefully omitted were several ranges with access issues and ones that were primarily in other states. I had hoped the list would stimulate many climbers to complete the list and report their accomplishments to T&T. It didn’t.
It wasn’t until 2002 that a report came in. Dave and Elaine Hill reported completing the climbs on July 29, 2002. Their first range high point was Mount Elbert on August 9, 1970, and the last one was Twilight Peak, the high point of the West Needle Mountains. They said, “We found all of the climbs to be very interesting, and it was remarkable that we had most of the peaks to ourselves, except for the 14ers.” They also remarked that the geology and chalk rock color of the Chalk Mountains was particularly impressive. Perhaps their pleasant experiences will stimulate others to pursue the high points of Colorado mountain ranges.
Of those who have climbed all of the 14ers and 13ers—well over six hundred mountains—there are still only three who have gone on to climb the highest 700 or more. The only “hundred peak milestone” beyond the 13ers achieved in 2002 was Ken Nolan, who finished the 1,100 highest. His last mountain was unnamed 12,438´ on the Pikes Peak topo, which he climbed on September 22.
There was no progress on others climbing all of the mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park. Several people reportedly near to that goal didn’t reach it. Also, the number of counties in which someone has reported climbing all of the mountains remains at ten.
County “highpointing” seems a more attractive goal. With the creation of Broomfield county, there are now forty-three mountainous and twenty-one other county high points in Colorado to visit. Three people were added in 2002 to the ten previously reported:
No. Name Final County Date
11 Gary Swing Archuleta 9/3/02
12(t) Beckie Covill Arapahoe 11/9/02
12(t) Jennifer Roach Arapahoe 11/9/02
Beckie and Jennifer become the second and third women to complete visiting the Colorado county high points. Their final accomplishment was celebrated with a group of their friends at the “high point” of Arapahoe county. We’ve heard of such celebrations on mountain tops, but this may be a first for the flat lands. P