Geography of Colorado
The Rocky Mountains within Colorado contain 54 peaks that are 14,000 feet (4270 m) or higher, known as fourteeners. The mountains are timbered with conifers and aspen to the tree line, at an elevation of about 12,000 feet (3,650 m) in southern Colorado to about 10,500 feet (3,200 m) in northern Colorado; above this only alpine vegetation grows. The Rockies are snow-covered only in the winter; most snow melts by mid-August with the exception of a few small glaciers. The Colorado Mineral Belt, stretching from the San Juan Mountains in the southwest to Boulder and Central City on the front range, contains most of the historic gold and silver mining districts of Colorado.
Teddy Keizer
While working at the Grand Butte, Keizer learned about Colorado's highest set of peaks that sit at or above 14,000 feet above sea level. These peaks are commonly referred to as "'14ers". Keizer also learned about the Mighty Mountain Megamarathon, in which a climber attempts to summit all of the Colorado 14ers in the least amount of time. The Mighty Mountain Megamarathon requires climbers to summit each peak under his or her own power and also ensures a certain amount of vertical elevation is gained for each summit.