Spotlight on Jeremy Fleisher!

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Q: What was your first fourteener, and when did you climb it?
June 6, 1998--Shavano.  On a whim I decided to join some friends who were hoping to get the Shavano/Tabeguache combo.  We succeeded on bagging Shavano, but had no luck on Tabeguache, which proceeded to elude me for many years due to various problems and bad luck (including throwing a rod in my 4-Runner on one trip).  I might have finished the fourteeners years ago if it weren’t for Tabeguache.

Q: At what point did you commit to finishing them all?
Probably early on.  Crestone Needle was the fourth or fifth fourteener I climbed, and I think once I succeeded in that, I realized I might actually be able to do all of them.  Once Tabeguache was finished, I was sure of it.

Q: What is your favorite fourteener route?
I really enjoyed Chicago Basin and the routes on Windom and Eolus, and especially the last couple hundred feet of Sunlight.  It was like being a kid on a playground again.

Q: What was your most delightful moment on a 14er?
May 17, 2000.  My friend Jim Brooks and I were glissading down Mt. Whitney (California) in near darkness in a snowstorm.  I just remember thinking “wow, this is hardcore”.  Two days later, we were sitting in a pool in Palm Springs in 112 degree heat.  The combined memories of the glissade and soak make me smile every time....

Q: What was your most terrifying moment on a 14er?
There have been a couple, but probably the scariest was on my second fourteener trip, when I became caught on the saddle between Belford and Oxford in a horrendous thunderstorm.  Zippers were standing on end buzzing, and there was nowhere to descend to without getting stranded, and going back up over the top of either peak was not an option at that point.

Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
Right now, I like the idea of not being bound by a list, but in truth I don’t know. A lot of the centennial 13ers look fascinating (I fell in love with Jagged when I saw it), and I’ve also pondered someday finishing the California 14ers.  I grew up within about 40 miles of most of the California fourteeners (all but Mt. Shasta), so that’s something that would be quite special for me.  I’ve also thought about climbing all of the peaks within Pitkin County, Colorado, where I live, just ‘cause they’re close, and I wouldn’t have to do several hour road trips in getting there.  However, some of those rarely climbed Elks could really suck.

Q: What 14er did you climb last? Did you intentionally save it for last or is it a 14er that previously eluded you?
Sunlight.  Once Tabeguache, and later Culebra, were out of the way, it came down to the Chicago Basin peaks for last.  Until the last day or two, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do Eolus or Sunlight last.  In the end, the summit block of Sunlight seemed like the perfect place to finish.  Thankfully, the weather was perfect, and none of those three eluded me.

Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to someone just starting out?
Take your time and enjoy each peak for its individuality, since they all are truly unique and different from one another.  Also, never be afraid to bail on a trip, especially if you’re dealing with lightning.  I’ve never understood the luck of the people who said they’ve never turned back...