John,
interesting article. I found this article this morning:


http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700032717/Mount-St-Helens-fans-seek-national-park-status-for-peak.html

Interesting.
For me, the idea of spending more money to "improve" a wild area seems false. The major complaints in the article seem to be 1) Lack of roads, and then at the end of the article, 2) The weather.
The monument already has a bunch of roads... but none of them connect, so everything is out-and-back. In other words, if you're not there to see the monument, you're probably not going to bother. I'm not sure how having people drive through (on their way somewhere else) is going to improve it.
And good luck on #2 there!

If you haven't been, go see it. It's a beautiful area with tons of recreational opportunities... and except for the visitor's centers, very quiet. I've been up the mountain a few times, but there's lots more there beyond just the summit. Here's a trip report:
http://www.splattski.com/2008/celebration_08/index.html

How much would you be willing to pay to climb a peak? I suppose dropping $10 every weekend wouldnt hurt too much.

I guess I dont understand. I have never climbed in colorado. Do they really see this much traffic in these areas to merit a fee for upkeep??

I'm glad I live in Idaho!

I think these peaks get a lot of traffic because people can drive to 10,000-12,000 ft. and start climbing. A different kind of climbing than we're used to in Idaho, for sure. I personally think fourteeners are over-rated in general, but that's me.

I'm okay with a user fee (NIMBY disclaimer of course) and as a friend of mine pointed out, it all depends on proper management. What sometimes happens is that other funds are then diverted away from an area with fees. If you move too far toward a fee only approach, then no proactive work is ever done, only reactive as there is no income for something that hasn't yet been established/improved. A little like what our governor has just done to the state parks. If it's supplementary to the budget for the area, it will probably be a benefit to handle the traffic. But if maintenance is axed from the Forest Service budget because they collect fees, good luck with ever getting it back. It could be a slippery slope.

Sure, there are a few 14ers that are just talus piles with roads and mines on them, but about 1/2 of the 14ers are challenging climbs. These all look pretty bad-ass to me!

got any name to go with these?

In order:
#1 - Crestone Peak
#2 - Longs Peak
#3 - Maroon Bells
#4 - Maroon Peak
#5 - Little Bear
#6 - Sunlight
#7 - Capitol Peak
#8 - Wetterhorn (my butt is clearly visible in the photo)

The Maroon Bells traverse was one of the more challenging and ballsy unroped climbs I've done.

the ledge on maroon peak has my attention. looks fun.

Dan, your photos demonstrate why those Colorado peaks are so popular. I've bagged 35 so far and will try a couple more this summer. Yes, they can be too crowded. I climbed Greys and Torreys at the end of September one year and with two feet of snow, there were still 200+ climbers on the route. Yes, some of the peaks are big piles of rubble--but big is the operative word--even reaching the top of a rubble heap is a challenge.

The 14,000 foot peak list is a difficult list to complete. It takes time (although a couple of climbers did it in less than two weeks) and lots of effort. Many of the peaks are challenging--almost of of the peaks in the Elk Range are very difficult. The weather can be and often is rotten, cold and wet. I have suffered through thunder storms and hail in the San Miguels--climbing the two peaks named Wilson--that far surpass any other storm I have ever experienced. Access can be treacherous Sangre de Cristo--and other places.

The peaks are too crowded because there are too many of us! The regulations so far is not to invasive. I doubt the $10 fee will cut down on the crowds but will likely lead to more trail building. Six years ago a trail was constructed all the way to the summit block on Crestone Needle. It made the summit much easier but clearly underscores the crowding issue.

And if you think the 54 highest peaks are too crowded climb the peaks 55 to 100 which are not crowded and include some very difficult and beautiful summits.

Yes, I prefer the Lemhi and Lost River peaks but do not miss a chance to climb in Colorado. Its a different type of climbing but it has its rewards.

Allen David Wilson (1844-1920) photo of A.D. Wilson, mid 1870's, courtesy American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming

1867 Geological Survey of California (Whitney Survey), Assistant Topographer

1868-1872 US Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1870- 2nd ascent Mt Rainier

1873-1878 US Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey)
"Wilson is a first-rate topographer and as a mountaineer has few equals in the country. His knowledge of the mountains amounts almost to an instinct and astonishes me." George B Chittenden,1873.
1874- First ascent 'Station 35' el 14280', now known as Mount Wilson el 14246'

1879-1881 US Geological Survey, Chief Topographer

From 'Summits To Reach' by Franklin Rhoda (Wilson's half-brother):

On August 24, 1878 Wilson's party made camp beneath Sawtell Peak, near Henry's Lake in Idaho.
"After dinner we were lying about the fire, smoking and talking, when suddenly some shots were fired just behind us. We dropped and crawled for our rifles. Someone called out 'Indians'. Just as I picked up my rifle I heard our stock start off on the run. I knew at once that we were left on foot beyond all redemption, as the Indians were on horseback.'
The 5 surveyors crawled into the woods, where they hid for the night. Wilson's years of experience in the wilderness undoubtedly saved the party. With limited supplies they snaked their way past the Indians and after a 3 day march found Hayden's main party at Upper Geyser Basin. Next morning, furious at being outsmarted, Wilson returned to the ambush site to retrieve the valuable instruments that had been cached.

Beautiful pics!
Certainly not over-rated in challenge or beauty, over-rated as in adding fourteeners to a peak list, just for the sake of being fourteeners. For me there is plenty of beauty and challenge below 14,000 ft. in the Northwest, without all the people, or going all the way to Colorado. With that said, Colorado is on our schedule this summer, and I look forward to being impressed.

john "no crowds" platt seems to spend a lot of time on hood, adams, and rainier which have as many or more people on them than Colorado peaks do. not buyin it..... hypocrisy!

I know we're hard to tell apart sometimes, but I'm the short, blond female that has her own opinions and mountains to climb. John is the taller, more experienced male, with his own opinions and peak list. It would be best to redirect your comment to him, as he may or may not enjoy the comradery on the Cascade volcanoes.

And you're not as anonymous as you think BTW.

I like peak lists. They motivate me, they get me to new areas, and for me they are fun to just look at before you fall asleep at night. My pursuit of the county highpoints drug me to places like the Lochsa River, Arbon Valley, and northern Idaho. Amazing places I would not have visited otherwise. That said, many peaks just call out to me and I climb them whether or not they are on a list or not.

Sorry... what was the topic of this thread again