A recent study by Eric Gilbertson, Elijah Gendron, Ben Loftin, and Peter Kline showed that Crestone Peak in South Central Colorado is actually a subpeak, and therefore not a ranked 14er.
Previous Light Detection and Ranging measurements taken in 2018-2019 showed that Crestone Peak was within error bounds of the same elevation as East Crestone. East Crestone has commonly been considered a sub-peak of the mountain, sitting 418 feet to the East of the primary peak.
The recent study conducted ground surveys using professional surveying equipment including multiple dGNSS units and an Abney level. Their goal was to confidently determine which peak was taller and thus the ranked 14er.
East Crestone was found to be taller with greater than 99% confidence. The measurement put East Crestone at just 0.3 feet taller than Crestone, making East Crestone a ranked 14er and Crestone a subpeak, not a ranked 14er. East Crestone is 14,299.3ft+/-0.1ft while Crestone is 14,299.0ft+/-0.1ft.
Though it is undoubtedly a minute difference, knowing which peaks are ranked 14ers is important for both mountaineering and tourism in Colorado. Climbing all 14ers in the state is a common objective for peakbaggers.
