Spotlight on Keith Bershader!

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Q: What was your first fourteener, and when did you climb it?
Bierstadt, Summer 1999.  Things I remember vividly was thinking to myself, “Wow, so that’s it?!”  And I remember the willows and marshy area at the base.  That seems like it was another lifetime.  I also remember looking down onto the Sawtooth  ridge and literally shaking in my heavy backpacking boots.  The very next day, we were back and climbed Evans from Guanella Pass.  Now THAT feels like what I imagined a 14er to feel like! 

Q: At what point did you commit to finishing them all?
Hmmmm.  You know I cannot really pinpoint a time.  I am not really a “list” person and never really felt like I was on a “mission”.   My goal was simply to have fun climbing, whether that was a 12er, 13er or 14er.  But, I will say that the more we climbed, it seemed the more important it became to close the gap to completion.

Q: What is your favorite fourteener route?
Not a fair question.  With very few exceptions, I have enjoyed every route on the 14er’s. But, if I had to narrow it down, it would be Capital by the standard route, the Maroon Bells Traverse and Long’s Peak via Lamb’s Slide (snow climb) and Clarke’s Arrow route. 

Q: What was your most delightful moment on a 14er?
Without a doubt it was on the Summit of Crestone Needle sipping champagne at 8:20am with my beautiful wife and some of our close friends! 

Q: What was your most terrifying moment on a 14er?
North Maroon Peak.  We got off route (surprise!) near the upper cliff bands just below the summit.  I wandered, er, reconnoitered left around the face and found myself on a very tight ledge with what seemed like lots of air below me and the ledge still had close to 6” of snow on it.  After deciding that this was definitely NOT the right way and stuffing my heart back down my throat and changing my drawers, I quickly joined Bob and Jeff on the “correct” route.  D’OH!  

Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
As I stated earlier, I am not really a “list” oriented person.  But, the next “list” would likely be the high 100.  Think my focus will be more on exploring some of the more out-of-the-way areas in Colorado and trying some new, less traveled peaks.  Also trying some new routes on peaks already climbed. 

What 14er did you climb last? Did you intentionally save it for last or is it a 14er that previously eluded you?
Crestone Needle.  Absolutely not intentional, really more by accident!  It just sort of seemed to work out this way.  Or “master plan” was to finish over 4^th of July on Eolus.  But, since we were unable to complete our attempt of the Needle over Memorial Day (this year) due to very soft snow conditions in the East Gully,   the Needle became or final peak by default.  But, wow, what a great peak to finish on! 

Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to someone just starting out?
Be calm, be confident and be open.  The most important piece of equipment is right between your ears.  Use it!  Know yourself and your limitations.  And be confident that you can push harder than you think you can, go further than you think you can and accomplish far more than you think you can.  Above all else, be safe and have fun!