Spotlight on Brian Kalet!

Q: At what point did you decide to go for the Highest Hundred?
I climbed my first Colorado centennial (highest 100 in Colorado) thirteener in the spring of 2006 before finishing the Colorado fourteeners.  After climbing Denali in the spring of 2007, then completing the contiguous United States fourteeners in the summer of 2007, I decided I wanted to climb the highest 100 peaks in the state of Colorado.  I finished on August 19, 2007.

Q: What are some of your favorite centennial routes?
Out of the Colorado centennial thirteeners, Fletcher Mountain, Pacific Peak, Cathedral Peak, Mount Hope, Crystal Peak and Atlantic Peak are memorable because I skied them.  The most enjoyable ski descent was down Cathedral Peak’s east face.  My daytrip of Arrow Peak, Vestal Peak, West Trinity, Trinity Peak and East Trinity was a highlight, but the slog back to the car was not fun.  Jagged Mountain, Teakettle Mountain and Dallas Peak were exciting due to the technical nature of the routes.

Q: How would you compare the technical difficulty and danger of climbing the 14ers verses the technical difficulty and danger of climbing the Highest Hundred?
There are no technically-demanding fourteeeners.  There are three fifth class centennial thirteeners, so the centennial thirteeners are more technically-demanding.  There is more rock fall danger from other climbers on the fourteeners during the typical climbing season because there are more people on them.  However, if something happens to you while climbing a Colorado centennial thirteener, you may not encounter another climber for days.

Q: In your opinion, what are the most beautiful centennial peaks?
Vermilion Peak with snow is the most beautiful of the Colorado centennial thirteeners.  Turret Peak and Vestal Peak are also two other beautiful Colorado centennials.

Q: During the time it took you to finish the centennials, did you ever have any moments of doubt?
Weather and avalanche danger are the two factors I worry most about in the Colorado mountains.  This doubt of success due to Mother Nature is healthy and important.  Managing the risks these two factors impose is part of the game and makes us enjoy when they both cooperate and allow us to reach the summit(s).

Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to someone just finishing the 14ers and thinking about doing the highest 100?
Find a very good partner or become comfortable with soloing if you want to finish quickly.

Q: Which group was more fun to climb, the 14ers or the centennials?
Centennials.

Q: What was your final centennial and why did you save it for last?
Rio Grande Pyramid.

Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
I hope to climb the highest 100 peaks in the contiguous United States.  I only know of one other person that has climbed them.  As of January 2008, I live near Reno, NV and the last ten peaks I have left to complete the list are in the nearby Sierra Nevada range.
 

The End.