Victoria’s dad Ernie was turning 60, and on his birthday we decided to surprise him with the hardest hike of his life. What better way to celebrate turning 60 than by hiking your first Colorado 14er, right?
Ernie might have been a little resentful that we dragged him out of bed at 4:00 AM to climb over 3,300 feet in around 3 miles. However, hiking Quandary Peak made for a birthday he’ll never forget! The sense of accomplishment that anyone gets while summiting a fourteener (especially for the first time) is well worth the effort!
We were treated to gorgeous wildflowers, evergreen forests, and alpine tundra that we share with you in this video. We also have some helpful tips for you in both the video and the description below.
👉 Quandary Peak tops out at 14,265 feet. It’s the highest peak in the Tenmile Range, and the 13th highest peak in Colorado. This is a top hike for 14er beginners. Although there are no “easy” 14ers, Quandary Peak is one of the easiest relative to the others. It also is one of the best day hikes in the Breckenridge area, with beautiful views the whole way.
The trail is not very technical, but the last mile is extremely steep, and will challenge even the fittest hikers. At the trailhead, which is roughly 10,900’ above sea level, you will already be feeling the elevation. As you climb higher, expect to stop regularly to catch your breath.
Quandary Peak is one of the most easily accessed fourteeners. The trailhead is less than 20 minutes from downtown Breckenridge. It’s also an easy trip from the Front Range; you can drive from the Denver Airport to Breck in just 2 hours! There are no rough 4x4 roads to navigate either.
❗️ You will spend several hours above tree line, so here are some important safety tips to consider:
☝️ Know the signs of altitude sickness (including headache, nausea, dizziness, and confusion). Nobody feels great at high elevation, but severe symptoms should not be ignored-even if it means turning around early. Portable oxygen can help avoid altitude sickness.
✌️ Start hiking EARLY! Afternoon lightning storms are almost a daily occurrence, especially at high elevations. Plan to head down the mountain before 1:00 PM, which means starting the Quandary Peak trail before 7:00 AM. Plus, trailhead parking fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Remember that mountain weather changes quickly. If you see a thunderstorm developing, get below tree line as soon as possible.
✅ Packing for this 14er is pretty straightforward-it’s just a long dayhike. Here’s our recommended packing list:
• Backpack + minimum 2 L water. This one holds 2.5 L of water and some light clothing/snacks. amzn.to/3g3MNUC
• Trekking Poles amzn.to/3xJZslM
• Basic First Aid Kit amzn.to/3jQNxhc
• Rain Jacket amzn.to/3g1rEKJ
• Fleece or Light Puffy Jacket (Patagonia R1, Micro Puff, etc.)
• Sturdy shoes with good tread
• Non-Cotton Shirt, Socks, Pants/Shorts
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Energy Bars, Fresh Fruit, etc. amzn.to/3AGByJL
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👫 About Us:
We're Cameron and Victoria Wylde. We live full-time in our 2015 Airstream International 27FB travel trailer. For years, we dreamed of living and traveling full-time in a camper.
In July of 2020, a few weeks after buying our Airstream, we took the leap. We downsized from 2,200 square feet to 200 square feet. We had never owned an RV before, and weren't sure if we were making the right choice. But within a few weeks, we knew that we had made one of the most exciting and fulfilling decisions of our life.
In our weekly videos, we show you how to take the first steps towards your goals, how to travel full time, and everything in between. Join us on our travels, and keep the stoke level HIGH as you plan your own adventures!
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13 авг 2021
