Finishers - why so many

nyker · Post by **nyker** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 6:46 am

Seems there are many finishers this year of a variety of lists (congrats to all of you).

I've heard some folks reflect opinions of a few possible factors for this, assuming of course there was
something other than randomness at work here.

What do you think?

Yikes · Post by **Yikes** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 7:14 am

Based on the bumper to bumper traffic on I25 and I70.... too many people equals lots of potential finishers.

(Old man done griping)

herdbull · Post by **herdbull** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 7:56 am

Mehhhh....everyone in the current "look at me" society just feels the need to let everyone else know, everything.

terrysrunning · Post by **terrysrunning** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:19 am

None of those answers are exactly right. It's a combination of three things;
There are more people in Colorado
Social media makes it so everyone knows about 14ers (I'd never heard of a 14er when a friend asked me to do Longs Peak in 1994. That doesn't happen any more).
But mostly, sites like this and AllTrails and ubiquitous GPS capability on phones mean that once someone gets the idea in their head, it's incredibly easy to just pull up a track online and go where your phone tells you and get to the top of the mountain. Don't need to know how to read a map, or a compass, or comprehend a route description from Roach's book. You can basically make it to the top of any 14er without taking your eyes off your phone.
Hell, I still carry a compass but it's basically worthless because I've forgotten my map on at least my last dozen or two summits. It's just so easy to walk on the red line on my screen. I'd be willing to bet that most finishers in the past few years don't own a map, or a compass, or Roach's book.
The hardest thing about being a finisher these days is having enough free time. It says more about your socioeconomic situation than your abilities, tbh.

eskermo · Post by **eskermo** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:27 am

Don't forget those with zero rock climbing skills getting top roped to the summit of more technical peaks that they otherwise never could have climbed using their own skill sets and experiences. Way easier to finish Cents, Bicents, all 13ers if you have a rope gun doing all the work for you.

Jon Frohlich · Post by **Jon Frohlich** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:32 am

eskermo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:27 am Don't forget those with zero rock climbing skills getting top roped to the summit of more technical peaks that they otherwise never could have climbed using their own skill sets and experiences. Way easier to finish Cents, Bicents, all 13ers if you have a rope gun doing all the work for you.

I feel attacked by this post.

RhodoRose · Post by **RhodoRose** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:56 am

"So many" is rather vague. Sure, with more informational websites and social media, there's going to be more people climbing. We know most of them won't finish the 14ers, nothing new there. If you're noticing the flurry of finishers in this past month, well, yes, it is September, the summer climbing season got a late start, and many climbers who had only a handful left, self included, wanted to finish while the weather is still gorgeous.
I say Congratulations to all who reached a significant goal, whether it was the 14ers, Cents, Bicents, Nolans, 13ers, 12ers, or any other goal they set for themself! A personal milestone achieved is something to celebrate. If it gets people outdoors and active and fit, so much the better.

Post by **BillMiddlebrook** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 10:53 am

^This

Great to hear about all the great accomplishments!

DaveLanders · Post by **DaveLanders** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:06 am

I think the basic premise of this poll is wrong. I don't think there are that many more finishers. It's just that with social media we find out about them right away instead of waiting for the CMC to publish a list once a year.

Skimo95 · Post by **Skimo95** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:14 am

eskermo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:27 am Don't forget those with zero rock climbing skills getting top roped to the summit of more technical peaks that they otherwise never could have climbed using their own skill sets and experiences. Way easier to finish Cents, Bicents, all 13ers if you have a rope gun doing all the work for you.

You don’t need a rope for the highest 200.

Danger_D · Post by **Danger_D** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:13 pm

Skimo95 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:14 am
eskermo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:27 am Don't forget those with zero rock climbing skills getting top roped to the summit of more technical peaks that they otherwise never could have climbed using their own skill sets and experiences. Way easier to finish Cents, Bicents, all 13ers if you have a rope gun doing all the work for you.
You don’t need a rope for the highest 200.

While yes, you can climb them all without a rope my guess is that on Dallas, Teakettle, and Jagged you see more roped parties than un-roped

Skimo95 · Post by **Skimo95** » Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:31 pm

Danger_D wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:13 pm
Skimo95 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:14 am
eskermo wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 8:27 am Don't forget those with zero rock climbing skills getting top roped to the summit of more technical peaks that they otherwise never could have climbed using their own skill sets and experiences. Way easier to finish Cents, Bicents, all 13ers if you have a rope gun doing all the work for you.
You don’t need a rope for the highest 200.
While yes, you can climb them all without a rope my guess is that on Dallas, Teakettle, and Jagged you see more roped parties than un-roped

This reminds me of a time I got totally amped on doing Vestal via wham ridge. I backpacked in for an evening with my girlfriend and two dogs. While starting up the standard wham route, I look over to see about 8 guys running up the base. They ended up climbing center shift in trunners while on a bachelor party

The thing I enjoy most about mountain activities is no matter how good you are, there’s always someone to humble you. To each their own for sure