Spotlight on Randy Winters!

Congratulations to our latest Grand Slam finisher Randy Winters! We had the opportunity of asking Randy a few quick questions.

Q: At what point did you commit to finishing them all?
A: It was probably after my very first trip to Colorado.  The Blanca group, the Crestones, Kit Carson, Humboldt and Longs gave me a taste of some of the finer 14ers.  I was hooked and committed to using all my vacation time to finish them.

Q: What is your favorite fourteener route?
A: I really enjoyed Mt. Wilson's north slopes.  Sunlight's final leap was exhilarating as well.  However, my favorite route was the Little Bear to Blanca traverse.

Q: What is your least favorite route on a 14er?
A: I have two:  the west slopes of Columbia and the Baldwin Gulch route on Antero.

Q: What was your most delightful moment on a 14er?
A: Without a doubt it occurred on Aug 24, 2000 upon the summit of Handies Peak.  My girlfriend at the time, Melissa, and I had just climbed via Grizzly Gulch.  This was her first 14er and a big moment for her since two months previous she had been hospitalized with pneumonia.  The time seemed right.  The mood seemed right, so I popped the question.  I proposed by setting the camera, grabbing her hand, kneeling and asked her to marry me.  She said "yes" as the camera clicked.  We've been climbing together ever since that day.

Q: What was your most terrifying moment on a 14er?
A: I was sitting atop Windom at 9:30am in August of 1999.  It was a typical monsoon pattern so I figured the morning clouds to be benign.  I was wrong!  A loud clap of thunder interrupted my solitude and came as a surprise that early in the day.  I quickly grabbed my pack.  In my haste to descend I forgot that my trekking poles were in my pack with the tips up!!  A couple of yards along the ridge I felt the static electricity and heard a distinct buzzing sound.  I tore off my pack to see a charge of electricity between the tips of my poles.  I threw the pack off and down a rock chute.  I then threw my body down the chute to get off the ridge as quickly as possible.  Accounts vary, but I'm confident I lost 300 feet elevation in about 30 seconds.  A flash of lightning prompted me to stop and crouch for the next 20 minutes as thunder clapped, lightning flashed all around, and hail pelted me. 

Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
A: There will always be a list, but none as important as finishing all the 14ers in the lower 48 states.  I was fortunate to finish Colorado's 14ers, California's 14ers, and Mt. Rainier this year to achieve my goal.  Future lists will be lower priority and my family will be top priority for the foreseeable future.  My wife, Melissa, and I put off expanding the family until after the list was done this year.  I have my eye on the Centennials, but don't mind taking a lifetime to enjoy them.  I also want to finish the western state highpoints.  I only have Humphrey's Peak in Arizona and Granite Peak in Montana to complete that list.  I will continue to do a lot of hiking and climbing in my home state of Utah.  I currently have two books that I am working on to help future hikers and climbers in the state.

Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to someone just starting out?
A:Everyone always has an opinion and want to give advice.  My two cents is to do what feels right for you.  Skills can be developed and experience can be gained in a variety of ways on a variety of mountains.  First, get to know yourself.  Know your own skills, experience, and limitations.  Second, do your homework.  Research and read about the area, mountain and route you'll be climbing.  Third, get in shape.  These mountains are much more enjoyable when one is better conditioned.  Bottom line:  Do what feels right for you.  Only you will know.