Is it culturally acceptable to hike 14ers by yourself?

[Wentzl]

Up and down the fastest is not the point. I will win that naked.

Who survives overnight in subzero temps. That is the point. Still wearing wal-mart stuff?

[timisimaginary]

Up and down the fastest is not the point. I will win that naked.

Who survives overnight in subzero temps. That is the point. Still wearing wal-mart stuff?

Enough layers will do it mi amigo

Running Wal-Mart with Bear Grylls?

[Craig Barlow]

Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in the mountains without my Arc'teryx jacket and Patagonia pants. Might as well be wearing cotton if you've got anything else on.

[Coyote_Run]

A third cultural question, do you guys say 'hello' to every person or group you pass on trail? I've read that this is a code of the Old West, or is it acceptable to pass people in silence?

I find 95% of hikers on 14ers are friendly people. (Probably 75% on the "easier" ones.) My advice is to go hike and have fun. You'll meet great people. On the Quandary's, Democrats, Sherman's, etc., I usually ask if there are any first timers when I get to the summit and then I give them all a high five. It makes them feel good. My other advice is NEVER ask anyone "How long to the summit?" My standard response is "How fast do you hike?" but then I try to tell them how long I have been hiking down to give them some rough idea... (Oh and I always carry Spam and Pepsi with me on every hike and outdoor adventure! No exceptions!!)

[JChitwood]

For the financial aspect, a lot of basic gear is easily found at walmart or amazon for fairly cheap. People really don't care if you're wearing Arc'teryx or a no-name brand as long as you're being safe

Wait a minute some people care. I much prefer seeing Arc’teryx and Patagonia on the trail instead of cheap crap from Columbia. And they sell gear at Wal-Mart? Who knew?

I’d like a friendly challenge in myself wearing nothing but Walmart gear (besides boots and traction ofc) vs yourself in “top notch” gear. You can pick the peak, most efficient time up and down wins I’d welcome anything up to 20 miles

Captain...challenge NOT accepted. I’m fairly certain if we started up say Bierstadt at the same time you could summit, go back to the TH, and return to the summit before I got there the first time. Even if I beat you to the summit, well, your second summit, there’s no way I would beat you back to the TH since I descend about as slow as I ascend. So yes you would be going more than twice as fast as I. No doubt I wish I was faster. I plan to start training harder in the future I’ve heard that helps. And maybe lose 25 pounds. Being 60 isn’t good for speed either. Didn’t mean to start anything, just saying that I enjoy seeing a Patagonia jacket in peppergrass green or Indian paintbrush coming down the hill rather than the latest dull gray or camo offering from Tractor Supply. And they’re always coming down I never see anybody heading up when I’m on my way down.

[shays_days]

I prefer to hike alone unless with a good friend

[painless4u2]

I prefer to hike alone unless with a good friend

Reminds me of George Thorogood...

I hike alone, yeah
With nobody else
I hike alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I hike alone
I prefer to be by myself
Just me and good buddy Wiser
That's all I ever need...

[teamdonkey]

Up and down the fastest is not the point. I will win that naked.

Who survives overnight in subzero temps. That is the point. Still wearing wal-mart stuff?

Didn't he just spend the night on Oxford? Seems like he knows how the Wal-Mart stuff holds up better than most, and is still ok with it.

[Barnold41]

Up and down the fastest is not the point. I will win that naked.

Who survives overnight in subzero temps. That is the point. Still wearing wal-mart stuff?

Didn't he just spend the night on Oxford? Seems like he knows how the Wal-Mart stuff holds up better than most, and is still ok with it.

[Wentzl]

well yes, if he took the bet. But this overnight came before. No one asked what he was wearing for his rescue. I am guessing he did not suffer the night in wal mart crap. Care to chime in CaptCo? Could be a lucrative endorsement in it if you play your hand right.

.

[cnlevan]

I think it is important to note that while it IS socially acceptable to hike/climb alone, as many of us do.... It is NOT acceptable to do so unprepared and uneducated about what you are getting into. A person hiking alone and unprepared/uneducated can not only put themselves in danger, but can endanger the lives of fellow hikers and SAR volunteers.

I love to hike alone, most of my hikes/climbs have been solo... but it is reckless to do it without proper preparation.

As for the elitism... you will definitely encounter that, but you will also encounter some of the most rad and laid back people you will ever meet on these peaks. Hike your own hike, and don't let anyone else ruin your journey.

[RWinters]

In response to the original question...who cares if you hike/climb solo or with others? I originally hiked all the 14ers solo. I have since repeated most with others. Both offer unique experiences. In short, go do it your way, play by the wilderness rules, and don't worry about what other's think.