February 17th, 2007 - Sourdough Trail Ski Traverse

The Sourdough Trail is ~15 miles of classic Nordic ski tour terrain.

A steepish climb of about 1500' elevation gain, then almost all downhill to Peaceful Valley.

What made this ski tour especially attractive was the fresh snow that fell in the few days before
we attempted our tour.

What a gorgeous way to spend a Saturday. The day had those magical Colorado winter qualities of blue skies, intense sunshine, fresh powder and gorgeous scenery. Life really does not get much better than that.

The cast of characters involves my usual companions as of late: Terry and Mike "D-low". Also with us were Kelda, Theresa and Colorado newcomer Deanna.

We met at Moe's Bagels for the all important morning coffee (as D-low is finding out quite quickly, I am just shy of useless without my morning coffee!) and greasy bagel sandwich fix.

Properly fueled, we split into two cars so as to park a car on both ends of the route. A quick shuttle and we debarked at the Rainbow Lakes TH.

At the start of our day. L>R: D-low, Terry, Deanna, Kelda, Theresa

The day, as mentioned, was simply gorgeous. I can not over emphasize how much fresh powder can contribute to a memorable day. The sun reflects on the snow so that the fresh powder sparkles. You get into a Zen-like mode as you glide along. Even the climbs seem to go by quick as everywhere you look is just clear skies and mountains covered with snow.

We made our way to the high point of our route. The view can be described as expansive. Looking over the tops of the pines covered with snow, the foothills to the East, and we could see all the way to Pikes Peak. Throw in some warm sun, and it was a perfect place for a quick snack.

Looking East towards the foothills and the plains.

Then the fun began. A mainly downhill jaunt to Peaceful Valley. We skied past the zoo that is Brainard Lake and made our way to St. Vrains creek. A perfect lunch spot. As usual, I whipped out my thermos full of hot mocha (more caffeine!) and pulled out a surprise that is only present this time of the year: GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! Samoas and Thin Mints always make the day go well.

We proceeded on.

Due to the rolling downhill nature of the final part, we made excellent time. Near the Beaver Reservoir, we were able to look up and notice the very windy divide. I was thankful for being in the trees for most of the day!

One last lovely downhill spurt on a trail that had seen NO ONE (freshest of the fresh powder), and we made it to the car parked at the other end of the trail.

This day was easily one of the best days I've had this winter. All the ingredients were there. The magical Colorado day alluded to earlier, a good group of people and remarkable ski touring terrain. It is days like this where I am thankful for the life I have made for myself in my adopted home state.

Fifteen or so miles, and many smiles, later we finished.

After this epic and wonderful day, D-low, Deanna and I went to my favorite post-winter fun place: the Kathmandu restaurant in Ned. What better way to end the day than a glass of wine accompanied by some delicious Nepali food? Life truly is good. And I don't see any reason why it won't continue to be good..or get even better.

All the photos

February 15th, 2007 - CDT Slideshow at Neptune Mountaineering

This past Thursday, I gave a presentation of my journey on the CDT at Neptune Mountaineering here in Boulder.

I did not know what to expect in terms of people who would show up. Neptune's is a world famous mountaineering store; heavy emphasis on climbing and ski mountaineering. Would anyone be interested in "just" a backpacking presentation? Would it be just "extreme Boulder athletes" who show up?

The show began at 8pm.

People started filtering in at 7:30pm. Some of my friends showed up and joked I would be handing out autographed Gatorade bottles.

More and more people came. By 8pm, almost all the chairs that Neptune's had in storage were used! By the time I started my show, it was standing room only. Even the Neptune's staff commented that this many people never show up for a show at Neptune's.

It was a diverse crowd. Uber-fit looking climber/runner types. Average people like me. Older people who could be my parents or decade older siblings. Still, it was A LOT of people.

Needless to say, I was a bit nervous at first.

But the lights were shut off. And there was only me, my photographs and my words.

I was able to get into the groove. The stories (and dumb jokes!) flowed.

When I am speaking about something I love, everything seems to go OK.

Based on the reaction of the crowd, the presentation went well.

There was the usual gear Q&A; but also many of the more personal and philosophical questions I enjoy discussing. My goal of this presentation was not to show what a burly/studly dude I am, but to show the majesty, the beauty and the wonder of living for months in the wilderness. Based on the crowds reaction, I succeeded. If I can inspire one person to live their dream, than my slide show was truly a success.

Afterwards, all the hiker trash who attended went out for a beer at the nearby Southern Sun.

My CDT buddy Love Barge, James (CDT03), Terry and "Boulder" Skittles all enjoyed a brew or two. Meant a lot for my fellow hikers to come out and support me!

Andy Skurka showed up at the tail end of my presentation and introduced himself. I think he was happy we invited him out for a beer with us all! Was a pleasure to "talk shop" with what amounts to a celebrity in our little niche community. I also think he just liked hanging out with fellow hikers! :)

Best of all for me was that a long lost AT buddy attended!

Marc Schultz (Squanto) now lives in nearby Louisville. We have not seen each other since Trail Days in 1999. In addition to hiking the AT on and off together in 1998, we also summited Katahdin together...and that is a bond you never forget. Who would of thought that all those years ago that he and I would live in the same area? Marc plans to go to my outdoor group's meeting this Thursday. After nine years, will be good to hang out together again!

Myself, Blaze and Squanto (Marc) on Katahdin. Aug 1st, 1998

Doing this slide show gave me such a buzz. The trail was finished almost four months ago. But by sharing my journey, the lessons and joy of the trail never goes away. And hopefully I can pass on those lessons, share the joy...and maybe inspire other people to follow their own journeys.

February 14th - Devil's Thumb Ranch

I usually shy away from fee ski areas. They remind me a bit too much of a mountain-based Disney World: crowded, noisy and expensive.

A Nordic center seems a bit different. More emphasis on the skiing and less on the "scene". Mellow cross-country and gliding along. I'd still prefer a back country experience to a maintained and groomed trail, but I had yet to try a Nordic skiing experience.

This past Valentine's Day, I had the chance to try a Nordic center. My friend Terry is a volunteer ski patroler at Devil's Thumb Ranch. With 100km of trails, there is much variety. Along with our friend "New Hampsha Dave", we went up there for a day of skiing. All with free guest passes!


Nordic skiing involves kicking and gliding along groomed trails. I have backcountry skis rather than "classic" cross country skis, so I did more kicking than gliding!

Still, it was a wonderful day out. Any time I can be outside and "play"..well, life can't be that bad!

With the aspens that looked like birch and the old farm buildings, both Dave and were reminded of New England in many parts. Throw in a day that was overcast and a bit damp, and the New England winter feel was complete!


Being a weekday, the trails had hardly anyone on them. Plus the trails had a remote feeling as they wound up the hills and into the woods.

My overall impression of skiing in a Nordic center? Enjoyable, but I still enjoy true back country more.

Something about skiing in a groomed area seems to be more along the lines of roller blading than a wilderness experience. Fun, enjoyable to be outside...but something felt off for me. Perhaps I need the "rough around the edges" nature than even skiing along a trail provides.

Will I go to a Nordic center again? Maybe. It is a wonderful way to introduce the joys of cross-country skiing to a beginner, esp. if they do not have much winter experience overall.

But my soul still belongs to the back country. The rawness and the wildness. A groomed track does not compare, not matter how uncrowded or remote it may feel.

>ALL THE PHOTOS

This I believe....

On the Section House hut trip, my friend Wendy and I started a discussion about NPR's THIS I BELIEVE. If you have not listened to this radio program, I suggest you should.

People profess what they believe in. Sometimes heartfelt. Sometimes silly. Sometimes both!
One of my favorites was about BBQ.

Sometimes the people are famous; most of the time, the professions of belief are from ordinary people.

On more than one occasion, being in nature has made me inspired to write. Wendy's discussion prompted me to think "What is it that I actually believe in?" And after a day off hiking by myself, I thought of what it is that I believe in.

So, here's my stab at this profession of belief:

What I believe in is passion. A passion for life. A passion for my interests. A passion for all that I do.

I am passionate about food. I grew up in a family where meals were an event. Where a meal was just not sustenance, but an act of expression and something to be savored. Where a meal was a wonderful way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. I believe that cooking is joy...and that sharing that joy with wine, good friends and laughter is one way to make memories that will last for a long time.

I am passionate about the outdoors. My love for the outdoors is just that: A love. Something that is so intrinsic to me that I can't think of life without wilderness. My passion for the outdoors started with a backpacking trip in New Hampshire.I was
out of shape, took the wrong equipment and became lost. But I loved the beauty of the mountains, the ruggedness of
the trail and the contenment I felt in nature. Since then, I've roamed and rambled all over this country. I believe I just don't love the wilderness...I believe I NEED the wilderness in my life.

The outdoors is not my training gym. I could not tell you my resting heart rate. I barely know the difference between a Cliff Bar and a Goo shot.

What I do know is that a full moon on a winter's night is magical. That cold and crisp air, the stars shining above and a trail illuminated by a silvery light is something in life everyone should experience. I know that after skiing for a few miles and standing by the shore of an alpine lake, with a thermos of hot cider (and maybe a splash of spiced rum), makes everything in life that much more wonderful. I believe it is a type of joy that needs to be experienced as much as possible.

I believe that that sometimes a book, a play, a movie or a song moves me in such a way that I want to discuss it. Share what moved me. Express the love and emotion I feel for what I just experienced.

I believe that differences of opinion are OK. THat we all have opinions and causes we feel strong about and want to discuss. I believe that you can disagree without being disagreeable. That (playful) sarcasm and humor aren't bad things in arguments. That these discussions sometimes makes us laugh, sometimes makes us learn something and sometimes may even make us change our minds.

I believe that all great loves have a great friendship at its core. And that all great friendships are also great loves. Without passion in our lives, we can not have great friends or have great loves.

I believe that we all need passion in our life. I believe that passion is what makes life so wonderful, so complex and so full of promise. Without passion, life is just existence. I believe a life lived with passion is truly a life lived.

This I believe.

Feb 4th, 2007 - Sand Beach Lake

I've been a slacker with my camera on the past few trips.

I forgot my camera twice!

Taking pictures is one of my favorite ways of sharing the outdoors. To not bring my camera is just not good!

The skiing with D-low and Terry to places with those magical Colorado winter qualities (sunshine, blue skies, fresh powder) has been wonderful. You'll just have to take my word for it. :)

Terry posing in front of the divide. What's not to like about Colorado winters ?!?!?

I also organized my first outdoor trip in a while for the outdoor group which I am active with. Finding a permanent job (as opposed to the odd job here or there I pick up) has been taking up my time. But not so much time that I can't ski. :-)

In any case, the trip I organized recently was to Sand Beach Lake in the Wild Basin Area of Rocky Mountain National Park. As the name suggests, a natural beach by the shores of a lake. The trail is a little less than 9 miles R/T with 2000' elev gain.

Seems easy on paper. Except, most of the elev gain came in the last mile (or so it seemed!), with unbroken trail in deep powder. Needless to say, all of us who made it to the lake were well rewarded for our endeavor. The sight at Sand Beach Lake is always one to delight: The Lake. The warm sun. The range of mountains all around you.

Have some hot tea and some brownies...and what's not to like?



I've said it before, I've said it again: LIFE IS GOOD!