When I take climbing partners new to the alpine up into the high routes, I often get asked if there is a "usual" set of gear to bring. There are a few items I always bring, but the gear for placement while lead climbing really does need to be specific to the route and conditions.

Mount Bancroft (13,250') one of the Colorado 13ers, makes a very good introduction to technical alpine climbing. With both a one pitch rappel and one pitch class 5 climb along an enjoyable ridge scramble, it allows a climber who is new to alpine climbing to experience much of what makes moving technically in the alpine so much fun. I provided this experience for my nephew, recently. Besides recommending this route as a first (or first few) foray into alpinism, here's a route review so that climbers wanting to attempt this route can feel confident and informed as they plan their climbs.

I was there when my 8 year old nephew climbed his first 14er, and I was there again - 9 years later - when he did his first technical, class 5 climb on a classic alpine climbing route: Mount Bancroft's East Ridge. High winds and intermittent clouds made for a day demanding focus and confident movement.

Climbing and cycling helmets are different. They are built to respond to different types of forces and have different safety standards. The Petzl Picchu helmet meets both sets of standards, giving your kids one helmet that can safely cover both activities.

My twin boys are changing. They are growing up, gaining confidence, and improving their mountaineering skills. After a spring time working on ice axe techniques, the boys wanted to take on "a real snow climb." With feet too small for front-point crampons, we did a summer time climb of a permanent snowfield: the remnant of the glaciers that used to dominate the Rocky Mountains over ten thousand years ago. Like my boys, the mountains are changing, too.

Kids are more susceptible to the damage UV rays can cause. And while sunscreen and clothing are keys to protecting them, so are sunglasses. We had a hard time finding sunglasses that had quality lenses and were made of materials that would stand up to heavy hiking and climbing use. Then we found the Duco Kids Polarized Sunglasses. Here's a review of how they've been working for us after a year.

Most hikers have strong opinions on trekking poles and their pros and cons. But like me, those opinions are primarily based on anecdotes and assumptions. Let’s go into what the scientific research has to say about how trekking poles help hikers and climbers and how they may be a hinderance. Will the research change your opinion one way or the other?

If you are wanting to move from class 1 and class 2 alpine hikes, like those found on many 14ers, and move on to class 3 and class 4 climbing, you may need to make some adjustments to your preparation, focus, equipment, and movement. This video walks you through 5 foundational tips for climbing 14ers, 13ers, and other alpine peaks.

Are you wanting to hike to the summit of the Colorado14ers, and are you trying to choose which one to attempt first? Four members of my family have made Mount Sherman their first climb above 14,000 feet, and in this video we talk about the pros and cons of the drive and standard route as viewed through the lens of a new or new-ish 14er climber.

Wanting to know how to climb a 14er? Here is what to know and what to do for acclimatization. Your body needs to adapt to receiving 43% of the oxygen per breath that you would get a sea level. You can apply these tips to better hydrate, climb, and schedule your pre-hike routine, tilting the odds of a summit in your favor.

Wanting to climb to the summit of a 14er? Here is a practical approach to selecting a Colorado 14er or California 14er peak and route; planning your departure, hiking, and turn around times; factoring weather into your planning; and other safety considerations.

Wanting to hike to the summit of a 14er? Here is a loadout of the equipment I take on a typical summer climb to above fourteen thousand feet.

Wanting to hike to the summit of a 14er? Here is how you can approach getting your body ready to carry you to the summit.

Twin brothers Connor and Kade, just after turning six, wanted to climb their first 14er, that's a mountain that stands more than 14,000 feet (or 4267 meters) tall. It was winter time when they set the goal. So over the spring, they were working out and going on runs. Come summer, they needed to to build up their acclimatization and performance at altitude, so they built up to their first 14er by summiting a few 13ers, Mount Sniktau and Dyer Mountain. Then it was time for the attempt at their goal: 14,036' (4278m) Mount Sherman. This is a short film chronicling the three climbs.

If you are going to hike with your kids, they are going to need shoes that can handle everything that you will throw at them. Over several years, we've had multiple pairs of the Adidas Terrex AX2R CF Kids Hiking Shoes for our two boys. This video reviews these shoes after quite a bit of use and abuse so that you can better decide if these might be right for your child.

Over several years, we've had multiple pairs of the La Sportiva Stickit Kids Climbing Shoes for our two boys. We offer our thoughts on the shoes' pros and cons so that you can better decide if these might be right for your child.

During a climbing rescue, the standard practice of using the "pick off" technique may not work if there is a large weight difference between - say - a child climber and the adult belayer. So, if you are going to be climbing with kids, you should know how to transfer a child to a second rope, in order to move them off of the wall safely, should they get injured and need to come down.

Being able to rescue a climber requires a series of skills. The first of these skills you will need to apply is "escaping the belay." As a belayer, you can't help your injured lead climber or go get help if you can't get out of the system. This video shows how to escape the belay in a way that maintains the safety of your team.

Being able to rescue a climber who is injured on a rock climb requires a series of skills. One of those skills is being able to ascend the rope. Another is being able to transition from ascending to descending in a way that keeps the everyone safe. This video shows how to make those transitions based on the type of equipment you are using.

Being able to ascend a climbing rope is a necessary skill to make you and your climbing partners self-sufficient and able to deal with emergencies. When you are trad climbing, alpine climbing, or even sport climbing, injuries can happen. If you are rock climbing, and the climber gets injured above the belay, you may have to ascend the rope to assist them (yes, even when top roping). So, you better know how to do it.