Partner Event: Summit Safely

About 260,000 people ventured above 14,000 feet in Colorado last year. But with stunning views come real risks. Join The Colorado Sun for an in-person panel discussion on how to safely tackle Colorado’s iconic 14ers without putting yourself — or others — in harm’s way. 

From recognizing signs of altitude sickness to understanding the sudden storms that can quickly transform a hike into a dangerous ordeal, our panel will share crucial insights on how to protect yourself through proper preparation, gear, and knowledge. We’ll also dive into best practices for Leave No Trace principles to ensure your adventure preserves the beauty of Colorado’s mountains.

Join Sun reporter Olivia Prentzel, who has hiked more than half of Colorado’s 14ers, in a conversation with top mountain experts.

Speakers include:

• Lloyd Athearn, Executive Director of Colorado 14ers Initiative
• Alyssa Karpa, Board President El Paso County Search and Rescue
• Ashley Krammer,  Volunteer Program Manager for Colorado Mountain Club

The event is free, but registration is required.

This event is presented by Colorado Trail Explorer and sponsored by Colorado Mountain Club.

This event is hosted by The Mountain Chalet in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) is your official app for exploring Colorado’s great outdoors. With over 45,000 miles of trail sourced directly from parks and land agencies across the state, COTREX is the place to go for officially verified and authoritative trail information. COTREX actively partners with over 40 land management agencies including Colorado Springs to publish active trail advisories, closures, wildfire alerts and avalanche forecasts so you can know before you go.