The Journal of Geodesy recently published a study that analyzed the current summit elevations of Colorado’s 14ers using two types of data: Light Detection and Ranging (LiDar) and geoid models. The study revealed that the summits of Colorado’s 14ers are more than five feet shorter than previously recorded. This discrepancy is attributed to environmental changes like rising sea levels and inaccuracies in the original estimates from the 1950s.
Despite the adjustments in summit elevations, none of the 58 peaks in Colorado considered to be 14ers were removed from the list, and no new peaks were added. However, there were changes in the ranking of Colorado’s tallest peaks. Notably, Huron Peak is now the lowest 14er at 14,004.1 feet, while Mount Elbert remains the highest summit in Colorado at 14,437.6 feet. Other tall 14ers include Mount Massive, Mount Harvard, Blanca Peak, and La Plata Peak.
Two peaks, Grizzly Peak A and Sunlight Spire, are just shy of being classified as 14ers. Capitol Peak, known as the hardest Colorado 14er to summit, ranks 31st on the list at 14,136.3 feet. The study also provides “uncertainty estimates” for each peak, given the challenges of gathering elevation data in mountainous regions.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geodesy analyzed the summit elevations of Colorado’s 14ers using LiDar and geoid models. The research found that the current elevations of these peaks are more than five feet shorter on average than previously recorded. This discrepancy is due to both environmental changes impacting mountain elevations and inaccuracies in the original estimates from the 1950s, which were about three feet too high.
Despite the changes in elevation, all 58 peaks in Colorado considered to be 14ers remain on the list, with no new peaks added. However, there have been changes to the order of Colorado’s tallest peaks. Huron Peak is now the lowest on the list at 14,004.1 feet, while Mount Elbert remains the highest peak in Colorado and the Sawatch Range at 14,437.6 feet. Mount Massive, Mount Harvard, Blanca Peak, and La Plata Peak round out the top five tallest 14ers in Colorado.
Additionally, two peaks, Grizzly Peak A and Sunlight Spire, were mentioned for being just shy of 14er height. Capitol Peak, known as one of the most difficult 14ers to summit, ranks 31st on the list at 14,136.3 feet. The study also provided uncertainty estimates ranging from six to eight centimeters due to the challenges of gathering elevation data in rugged mountainous terrain.
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