Vertical, Class, and Mileage

(This page is a work in progress) Return to Home Page Compiled by Cave Dog The vertical and mileage estimates, although accounted to the foot or tenth of a mile, are still estimates with limited accuracy.  Oftentimes, the estimates are taken off of estimates from guidebooks or other challengers' measurements and altered according to the route differences.  However, no two people or guidebooks arrive at the same estimates for the same routes.  In addition, minor ups and downs are not included.  Trailhead names are used from Gerry Roach's Colorado Fourteeners:  From Hikes to Climbs:  Second Edition .  Oftentimes the exact starting point and routes were not the same as Roach's guidebook; however, whenever possible, the nearest trailhead name is used.  Class rankings also come from Roach's guidebook, when possible.  When the routes were selected during training, the routes that started and/or finished exactly 3,000 feet below the summits were usually decided upon with the aid of two topographical maps, two altimeters, and a GPS.  In every case, each altitude device arrived at a slightly different location.  In such cases, an effort was made to analyze their various particular inaccuracies and a location was chosen, usually at the lower end of the range of locations.  Short of hiring a surveyor, this was found to be the most accurate method possible.