Spotlight on John Rothchild!
Congratulations
to our latest Grand Slam finisher John Rothchild! We had the opportunity of
asking John a few quick questions.
Q: What was your first fourteener, and when
did you climb it?
A:
My wife Susan and I
climbed Mt. Elbert in July, 1995. We were attracted to the state's
highest peak, and it took me awhile to realize that highest had nothing
to do with hardest....
Q: At what point did you commit to finishing them all?
Q: At what point did you commit to finishing them all?
A:
We live in Miami but
spend every summer in Colorado. By August, 2,000 I'd climbed 26. At that
point, I was determined to do them all.
Q: What is your favorite fourteener route?
Q: What is your favorite fourteener route?
A:
I enjoyed the
traverses, El Diente-Wilson, Crestone-Crestone Needle. Also South Maroon
up a snow couloir and Longs on snow via the Keiner Route
Q: What is your least favorite route on a 14er?
Q: What is your least favorite route on a 14er?
A:
Back side of
Snowmass via Lead King basin. After two foiled tries on the main route
(beaten back by lightning, then a blizzard), I opted for the back. Loose
rock made for tedious going.
Q: What was your most delightful moment on a 14er?
Q: What was your most delightful moment on a 14er?
A:
Finishing the
Chicago Basin trio in one day.
Q: What was your most terrifying moment on a 14er?
Q: What was your most terrifying moment on a 14er?
A:
Top of South Maroon
in a whiteout, when my guide got severe case of vertigo (inner ear
problem). Had to help him down...
Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
A:
Perhaps I'll
take a shot at all the 14ers in the U.S. Have climbed Mexican volcanoes,
Mt. Blanc, and two of the 7 summits: Kili and Aconcagua.
Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would
give to someone just starting out?
Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would
give to someone just starting out?
A:
Up early, down
quickly, back off in bad weather, on the tough routes, if you doubt your
ability, take a guide......