Climb Pikes Peak

I would LOVE to hear tips/advice about climbing Pikes Peak! My first Ascent is coming up and I need all the help I can get! Thanks! BTW...how far are people going up these days? Any bets on when all the snow will be gone?!?

I did the Ascent for the first time last year. Turned 50 and needed some cool adventure to mark my five decades on earth. I really enjoyed the whole experience of training, doing the Garden and the Summer Roundup, working out at altitude. So my advice is enjoy all of it. And race day, when you reach the summit...it's magic.

I hope to tackle that mountian this summer.

OK so from my last posting, I climbed Pikes Peak on June 25. I brought my bike in tow, YES I know it WAS crazy, but I brought HOPING to ride the highway. Well you all are probably laughing. Those that don't know email. I will explain later. I will be posting pics soon.

Jeff, if it all worked out the way you planned, it wouldn't be an adventure. Thanks for posting the photos. Very cool!

HA haha Thanks Tim, you are exactly right.

Okay so I've been here 20 years and believe it is about time to hike the Peak. My Buds and I are planning on doing so just after Labor Day weekend. I'm super excited about this trip!

We just completed all the major open sections to ring the peak. That was Awesome! I will attempt to upload some photos from our trips soon. If you haven't heard of this trail system I highly recommend it. Here is the link. http://www.fotp.com/ringthepeak/index.html
The GPS coordinates came in handy on certain sections. Enjoy!

Just went Pikes Peak from the Crags and was up and down in 7hrs. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. What are they building up there. If they put in a Starbucks I will never touch that mountain again!!!

I have run it many times over the years, but never in a race. Have trained with others who were racing it to include my daughter. Next year is the last year I have left on my qualification so I best get at it. This year I would have come in second in the Ascent as there was only one other runner in my age group (I'll be 75). Wish me luck.

I climbed Pikes Peak all the way for my first time today! Pictures on my profile of my solo adventure up. The last 3 miles I was absolutely frozen solid! But Im glad I finally did it. =)

A little Bio on my Pikes Peak:
Climbed it 78 times. Run the Ascent or Mrathon or both every year since 2000.
Slowest Ascent time 4:27:55 in 2000. Fastest Ascent time 3:28:18 in 2010. Hardest training run on Peak is 3-2-1 (Go to Incline Club Web Page for definition of 3-2-1). Slowest Marathon 6:57:59 in 2007. Fastest Marathon 6:26:05 in 2009. Doubled in 2009 Ascent 3:30:17, Marathon 6:26:05--at the time, PRs for both races.
I love running on Barr Trail, Elk Park Trail, and trails I don't even know the names of on this mountain. It's a beautiful mountain. I have met some of my best frineds while training and hiking on Pikes Peak.

Michael, That 3:28 is a great time. And 78 trips to the summit is impressive!

@ Nick: Incline times are great. This mountain can be addictive. Love to see you run Ascent/Marathon, because your Incline times indicate you may be among the leaders--Certainly sub 3 hr and possibly sub 2:30.
@ Tim: Thanks! You had a really good time last year. I admire all who try and really admire those who finish. You're close to wave 1 qualilfier. Hope you do it again.

I've never "run" Pikes Peak, don't desire to. But I've hiked it from the east (Barr) and the west (Crags) well over 50, maybe closer to 100 times in the last 20 years. I used to have the annual highway pass when it was $40 for a single person. I would be the first car at the gate, beeline it to the summit, downclimb to the A-frame and back up again, home in time for lunch. It was good altitude training. Now I mostly train (hike/jog with a pack) on the lower half of the mountain and "work" the races with EPCSAR. I play my kazoo for you guys at the Cirque each year! We either entertain & motivate or severely annoy all the hypoxic & staggering runners as they go by!!

Bring traction , regardless of the conditions on lower Barr which I'm sure are not any indication of what ice and snow lie in store above 10,000+ I'd expect it to be windy and very chilly

I'll be up there tomorrow do bring me a brownie cliff bar or snickers king sized almond bar k