Spotlight on Bob Thompson!

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Q: At what point did you decide to go for the Highest Hundred?
About 10 years ago I started getting serious about climbing the 14ers. One of my family members gave me a copy of Garratt and Martins High Thirteener book and I was hooked! Seeing the pictures of Jagged, the Grenadiers, and Knife Point, started me dreaming of the day that I would see them in person!

Q: What are some of your favorite centennial routes?
Wham Ridge, Arrow, and the summit of Teakettle are among my favorites. Jagged Pk is the best/toughest peak and such a great wilderness experience. Meeker is my favorite outside the Grenadiers.

Q: How would you compare the technical difficulty and danger of climbing the 14ers verses the technical difficulty and danger of climbing the Highest Hundred?
There are definitely some challenging peaks in the 100 Highest! First of all, you have less information than you do for the 14ers. Less traffic, which means a greater chance of rock fall (look at the difference between Pyramid and Thunder Pyramid! Thunder has a lot more loose rock that hasn’t been knocked down, yet! ) As well as tougher to stay on trail. Plus there are peaks that are much more remote than the 14ers. The only time I used a rope for a 14er was to rappel a section on Little Bear, compared to Dallas, Teakettle and Jagged.

Q: In your opinion, what are the most beautiful centennial peaks?
Wham Ridge is the most awe-inspiring sight to me! Looking at Jagged Peak, I am amazed that I was able to actually stand on that summit! But the most surprising and cool summit for me is Teakettle! I’ve got some fabulous photos of the summit block. I can’t wait to go back!

Q: During the time it took you to finish the centennials, did you ever have any moments of doubt?
My only doubt was when, not if! I wanted to complete the Centennials with my buddy John Streeter. He was trying to complete the 14ers for a 2^nd time, so we wanted to coordinate our final peaks to finish at the same time. Once we got Jagged peak on September 1^{st 2005,}  I knew we would be OK.

Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would give to someone just finishing the 14ers and thinking about doing the highest 100?
My advice, find a well-qualified climbing partner! Sharpen your ice/rock and route finding skills. Be Safe!

Q: Which group was more fun to climb, the 14ers or the centennials?
I try and make an “adventure” out of every climb I go on. Summiting is only part of the experience. Once I finished the 14ers, it was so nice to be away from the “Crowds”! Now I’m looking forward to more remote peaks as well.

Q: What was your final centennial and why did you save it for last?
Half peak just ended up as our final peak. Our dear friend, Deborah Deeg wasn’t able to climb Jagged with us, but she did make it for Teakettle and Half. For me, climbing with people I care about makes it much more rewarding!

Q: Do you have any plans for future mountain lists?
As for the future, with Half peak climbed, I’ve completed all the peaks above 13,800 in Colorado. I plan on continuing on! Next up: my top 150 (11 to go) and 21 more will get me all peaks over 13,700ft, and eventually, the Bicentennials. I would like to climb all the peaks in Garratt and Martins’ book as well.