Reed on top of a 14er. pic Amy Campbell

August 25, 2025

At just 19 years old, Reed Maiocco  has carved out an extraordinary legacy in the world of backcountry exploration. From scaling Colorado’s towering 14ers to skiing treacherous couloirs and guiding others through the wilderness, Reed’s journey is a testament to grit, passion, and an unyielding love for the mountains. Below is a chronicle of Reed’s remarkable adventures, updated as of August 25, 2025, with a grand finale planned for September 2nd—his final Colorado 14er, Pyramid Peak. This places him in an elite group of perhaps five people who have achieved this level of success at his age!

Reed contemplates the final ascent. pic Amy Campbell

The Early Years: A Young Mountaineer’s Beginnings

Reed’s love affair with the mountains began at the tender age of 12. On July 28, 2018, he summited Longs Peak in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) with Cheley Colorado Camps. This first taste of high-altitude triumph set the stage for what would become a lifelong pursuit. Two years later, at 14, Reed returned to Longs Peak, this time leading his dad up the same route—an early sign of his natural leadership and confidence in the backcountry.

Reed summits a 14er pic Amy Campbell

By age 15, Reed added Grays and Torreys Peaks to his resume on August 4, 2021. The following year, at 16, he embarked on a four-day, two-man backpacking trip to Jasper Lake, showcasing his growing appetite for multi-day adventures.

Reed cheering on top of a 14er pic Amy Campbell

Skiing the Wild: Winter Exploits

Winter brought new challenges and thrills. In February 2023, at age 16, Reed Instragram redmacho38 skied Cody Bowl (Puckerface) and No Names Peak in Wyoming, followed by two laps down Glory Bowl off Teton Pass. That same year, he tackled Saddle Peak at Bridger Bowl, Montana, and skied iconic RMNP couloirs like Hallet Peak’s North Couloir and Dragons Tail Couloir. These feats at 17 marked Reed as a bold and skilled backcountry skier.

The winter of 2023-2024 saw Reed pushing further. From Mount Wolverine in Utah to repeat runs on Glory Bowl and Shadow Peak in Wyoming, he honed his skills. Highlights included skiing just Sliver, South of middle Teton on Nec Perce,  Dragons Tail Couloir, and Hallet Peak’s North Couloir again, plus a late-season run down Hidden Valley in RMNP. Each descent added to his growing expertise in navigating complex winter terrain.
Summer of 2023: Solo 14er Quest

pic by Lucian

The summer of 2023 was a defining moment. At 17, Reed embarked on a solo mission to conquer Colorado’s 14ers—peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. His list reads like a mountaineer’s dream:

July 15: Mt Evans
August 20: Mt of The Holy Cross
August 27: Mt Princeton
September 2: Huron Peak
September 24: Decalibron Loop
September 30: La Plata Peak
October 6: Mt Elbert
October 15: Harvard and Columbia

This relentless push covered 94.9 miles with a staggering 36,759 feet of elevation gain, all solo. Reed’s ability to navigate these challenging peaks alone speaks to his resilience and skill.
Summer of 2024: More Peaks, More Skiing

At 18, Reed’s 2024 summer season was equally ambitious. He summited:

May 18: Skiing Culebra Peak
May 25: Humboldt Peak
May 30: Skiing Mt Lindsey
June 1: Skiing Mt Shavano and Mt Tabeguache
June 8: Kit Carson and Challenger Point
June 16: Mount Massive
August 11: Crestone Peak

EXPOSURE! pic Lucian Dacchille

This season added 163.2 miles and 65,495 feet of elevation gain to his tally, blending skiing and summiting with remarkable versatility.
Winter 2024-2025: Chasing the 14ers in Snow

The winter of 2024-2025 saw Reed tackling 14ers in some of the harshest conditions. His exploits included:

December 3: Saint Marys Glacier, CO
December 19: Skiing Glory Bowl, Teton Pass, WY
December 30: Back Country Gates, Steamboat, CO

The 2025 season was a masterclass in high-altitude skiing and mountaineering:

January 31: Skiing Uncompahgre Peak
February 28: Overnight on Mt Sneffels (no summit)
March 12: Skiing Mt Antero
April 24: Skiing Mt Missouri
May 4: Belfort and Oxford
May 10: Skiing Ellingwood and Blanca Peak (no summit)
May 22: Skiing Wetterhorn Peak
May 24: Overnight on Snowmass Mtn (no summit)
June 13: Skiing Mt Sneffels
June 20: Skiing Handies Peak
June 26: Pikes Peak
June 29: Redcloud and Sunshine
July 4: Blanca and Ellingwood Point
July 7: Overnight on Snowmass Mtn
July 13: Crestone Needle
July 20: Little Bear Peak
July 27: Capitol Peak
August 12: Sunlight and Windom Peak
August 13: North Eolus and Eolus Peak
August 16: Wilson Peak
August 17: El Diente to Mt Wilson Traverse
August 19: Maroon Peak
August 21: North Maroon Peak

This season alone covered 276.1 miles with 112,122 feet of elevation gain, bringing his Colorado 14er totals to an awe-inspiring 570.6 miles and 225,476 feet of elevation gained.
The Final Push: Pyramid Peak

On September 2, 2025, Reed plans to summit Pyramid Peak, marking his 58th and final Colorado 14er. This milestone will cement his place as one of the youngest to conquer all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, a feat that blends endurance, skill, and sheer determination.
Guiding with Grace

Talk about impressive support! His mother, Amy Campbell MD, summited 12 of the peaks with Reed! 

Beyond his personal achievements, Reed has proven himself as a leader. In the summer of 2025, he guided two groups:

July 28-August 1: With two guides, Reed led 25 patrons on a three-day overnight trip to summit Mt Antero. Every participant reached the top, and all reported an incredible experience.
August 4-8: Leading 19 patrons with two other guides, Reed faced a challenge when a 9-year-old and his father suffered altitude sickness. He safely evacuated them over 14-16 hours, ensuring their well-being, while the rest of the group summited successfully.

A Story of Time and Tenacity

Reed’s resume is more than a list of peaks and ski runs—it’s a story of a young man who, from age 12, embraced the wild with open-hearted courage. His undocumented journeys hint at even more adventures, but the numbers speak for themselves: 570.6 miles hiked, 225,476 feet climbed, and countless memories forged in the mountains.

As Reed prepares to conquer Pyramid Peak, his journey inspires us all to chase our own summits, whatever they may be. Here’s to Reed Maiocco—a true mountain maestro.

Reed scales yet another peak!

*Follow Reed’s final 14er ascent on September 2, 🙂

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com