March 17th, 2007 - Erin Go Bragh! A St. Patties Day hike to Green Mountain

St. Patrick's Day is a day that for many people means Guinness, green clothing and cabbage.

For me, it was a chance to organize a hike. What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's day then not by wearing green..but by hiking Green mountain? Besides, I am ready to hike again. To climb up steeply, soak up the great views and sunshine and to again remind myself of how much I love my home.

Green Mountain is one of the peaks in the Boulder Open Space system. Rather than do the the easier route that starts from Flagstaff Mountain, we decided to start from another trail head
to make ~10 mile loop. Unknown to us, a very recent trail closure made this loop about 11 miles.

It was an awesome day for a local hike. The temps were in the 60s. The snow, though still present in the foothills, is melting rapidly and is becoming less of an issue. The views of the Continental Divide were spectacular.

We celebrated the day by munching on a cake I packed. We all had some mocha with healthy dollops of Irish cream liquer. Made the hike back down very easy. :)


After this wonderful day, all of us went to the Southern Sun to have that very Irish meal of a burger and a beer.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the hiking season brings!

Spring is in the air!

I LOVE this time of the year.

The weather is warming, day light savings gives us an artificial boost of evening light and I can do a hike or trail run after work.

Now that I am again a "weekend warrior" (and skiing 3-4 days a week is no longer an option!), I have been back to trail running/power hiking after work.

What a way to get an endorphin rush!

Pack my duffel, change at work, drive to the trail head and get the heart going for 4-5 miles of some early evening exercise.

I'd rather not run on roads. Roads do not have wildflowers blooming. Roads do not have streams that parallel or cross the trail. Roads do not have have people out and about enjoying the warm weather and daylight.

I may not be able to play out side for hours at a time on a regular basis; but I can do my best to enjoy the short jaunts that my town offers.

March 11th, 2007 - Kings Lake Trail..and a frozen dead guy

The winter is winding down.

The weather is getting warm, green is starting to appear and the first wild flowers are starting to poke through in the foothills.

The final days of skiing are happening for this winter.

Just as well, I'm ready for hiking. Ready to exchange shell pants for shorts; skis and boots for trail runners. Time to hike!

But, I had to do one last ski.

The trail chosen was the little explore King Lake Trail. Though Terry and I both have Nordic skied quite a bit in the Indian Peaks area, neither one of us have one this trail. D-low was especially gung-ho to try this trai out. Joining us would be my recently found AT buddy Marc "Squanto" Schultz.

The fours of us met for the ritual bagel and coffee fix, we (gratefully) piled into Terry's Jeep and drove up to the town of Nederland.

At the trailhead, it was already warm. Not the best skiing conditions (read: CLUMPAGE!), but the day was too good to complain. We made our way quickly to untracked trail and spent some time route finding. With the warm weather, all of us remarked how it just FEELS like hiking season.


After a bite to eat, we skied back. Some of the trail melted out since morning and dirt was exposed!

No matter, the day was enjoyed immensely. What is not to like when you can play in the Colorado mountains?

On the way back, we briefly stopped at Frozen Dead Guys days in Ned. D-low and I both picked up t-shirts to celebrate this unique, er, event!



Afterwards, we had a mandatory beer and a local Boulder pub.

Another good day of skiing...but the hiking trails call.

Time to explore the foothills, see the early season wildflowers and shed layers of clothes!

All the photos

Harry Gates Hut - March 2nd - 4th, 2007

"Hut Trip".

Those two words conjure up so many vivid memories for me. A wintery landscape with softly swirling snow. Intense blue skies framing the mountains covered in white. Tracks of coyote and elk leading off into the soft white powder. Long meals by the fire accompanied by equal amounts of wine and laughter.

Every time I go on one of these hut trips, I am again reminded of why I live in Colorado. Not just for the ample outdoor pursuits or even the beautiful scenery, but for the fact that I can experience and share these memories with like minded people. That I can experience and share memories that will be talked about long after the last sip of cocoa is drank; long after the last ember has cooled in the stove.

The trip for this past weekend was As with most of the 10th Mountain Division huts, they are "luxuriously rustic" and nestled in a picturesque setting. Skiing in the mountains by day; sitting by the fire by night. My days of winter camping are thought of less and less with each hut visit!

The crew for this weekend was a bit smaller than in the past. Terry, Wendy and myself met at a local shopping center, piled into Terry's (a different Terry than the last entry) 4WD vehicle and drove up to Glenwood Springs on a snowy evening.

The following morning we suited up at the trailhead and made our way up the trail. Though the day was snowy and cold, there is a certain magical quality to the woods on a day like that. Everything is so quiet and soft. It really does have a cathedral like quality.


Since it was only the three of us, and we are all of comparable fitness levels, we decided to HAUL up the trail. Wendy and Terry are training for a 40mi ski race. They informed me that I'm the "backup" if one of them gets hurt! :O

In any case, we made great time...even with my usual picture taking. We passed one group on the way to the hut who kiddingly called us the peloton. :) Long story short: What the guidebook listed as a 5-7 hr took the three of us just a little over 3 hrs.

We usually ski with beginners. It was interesting to see what we could do on our own. Besides, the very cold and windy day made it advantageous to not stop for too long!

The three of us arrived at the hut along with a member from the other group (Rob).

The 10th Mountain huts are usually shared among multiple people. This past weekend was no exception. The group who arrived next at the hut were about our age, similar levels of skiing ability and believed wine is not just a luxury item at a hut but a neccessity. We all got along fine!
:)

The last group have all known each other for over 20 yrs and were also fun to be around.

All in all, a great group of people to share a hut with for a weekend!

True to my nature, I couldn't sit still and made many "brownie points" by greeting everyone who came through the door with a mug of cocoa. One person of the latter group asked Wendy (somewhat) kiddingly if the cabin host was with her and Terry. If I have to get teased, getting teased about being a amiable host is not the worse thing to be known for!

A fire was made, dinner was prepared and wine was consumed. Over the good food and warmth of the hut, and the conversation flowed. A wonderful night.



The following morning had those intense blue skies that seem to define Colorado winters. Though cold, the sun was shining and strong. As we suited up for our ski tour, the warmth of the sun already made us feel good. The views extended in every direction. The world seemed to be in primary colors: white, blue and green. Winter has a simplicity to it that the other seasons do not have. And this simplicity makes everything standout sharply.



Wendy, Terry and I arrived back to the hut and enjoyed the warm sun while sitting on the deck. We continued to talk to our hut mates and eventually headed back in for dinner.

The alpenglow in early evening was truly amazing. The mountains went from white to a soft pink. Staring out the window, I was transfixed. It was a moment that no one wanted to end.



After dinner, another fantastic moment happened: A full moon on a winter's night. No headlamp was needed. Everything glowed silver. The mountains were seen and the cold night air seemed to make all the senses sharper. The stars seemed to be just a bit brighter, the moon light that much more illuminating.

This moment eventually came to and end as well.

We surrendered to sleep. Woke up in the morning and enjoyed a ski out on a day that rivaled the previous one.


I can't get enough of these weekends.

As I enter back into the "real world" officially in nine hours, each moment in the backcountry is that much more precious. The scenery will always be remembered. The feeling of shooshing in the powder while the snow is softly falling around us is not far from my thoughts. Most of all, being where I am truly the most content and happy. And sharing the memories with both old friends and new.

We don't live on our memories.

But we do live to make new ones.


All the Photos

February 28th, 2007 - CMC Ski Trail, Brainard Lake

Over the past four months, I have worked sporadically. Been pretty much a cross-country ski bum. Any chance I had to go mid-week skiing, I'd go! Many of the times I've been skiing has been with my friend Terry. He not only picked me up at Antelope Wells when I finished the CDT this past year, but he also is about to start his own CDT journey in a short while.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Starting on March 5th, I start an honest-to-goodness long term contract job. I am being a responsible citizen; complete with business casual attire of Dockers, button down shirt and my mandatory coffee mug. Who needs to watch Office Space? I'm about to live it. :)

What better way to end my ski bum ways than to one last mid-week ski tour?

I met Terry at our usual meeting spot. We loaded up his 4WD vehicle on a snowy day and drove up to the Brainard Lake trail head.

The day was simply magical. Fresh powder weighing the branches down. Untracked trails. The feeling that we were skiing in a wilderness cathedral. Quiet, beautiful and awe inspiring. Only the sound of our skis moving along, the slight wind rustling through the branches and the subtle sound of falling snow hitting the ground were heard. A mood was created that can best be described as reverent. I am not a religious person. But I can't help but feel in awe when I am in experiencing nature in this manner. I don't need to pray. I don't need to go to a formal place of worship. The creation around me is enough. Enjoying the natural wonder of the world is my form of worship.

And skiing in quiet, in awe and in reverence make me feel more spiritual and more connected than any sermon I could hear on Sunday.

Many people I know in Boulder pay much money to on retreats for new-age type religions. Give me that old time religion of being in nature. There is no ritual, no pretense and no formalities to follow. Just a a joy at being in the woods on a beautiful snowy day.

I don't just love the wilderness, I need it in my life. Be it for months or on a snowy day in February, the love of wilderness is where I am my most spiritual.

Let others have their retreats in Zen monastaries; or worship in a special building every weekend. I will take the wilderness. The raw and the sublime. The majestic and the subtle. The wilderness is my cathedral. And on snowy days on skis, I can't think of a better place to experience this spirituality.

"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" -Douglas Adams

Rockies Ruck 2007, Feb 23rd 25th - Leadville Hostel - Leadville, CO

Raising a Ruckus in the Rockies

The Rockies Ruck is a low-key gathering of people who have a passion for the long trails. During the weekend we celebrate the love the long trails: the beauty, the wonder and the
camaraderie among those who have a passion for the trails.

This past year, the Rockies Ruck was again held at the Leadville Hostel in Leadville, Colorado.

Leadville is aptly suited for a gathering of long distance hikers. Situated at an elevation of over 10000 feet high, there is a commanding view of the Continental Divide to the west. Additionally, Leadville is a trail town for the Continental Divide Trail, the Colorado Trail
and the American Discovery Trail. A perfect location for those who celebrate their love of the long trails!

View from the Leadville Hostel

The hosts of the Leadville Hostel are Cathy and Bill. Two people who understand long distance hikers, love our crazy little tribe and have always been gracious hosts not only for the Rucks but
for many hikers over the years. And Bill's pancakes fill up the stomach of even the hungriest of hikers!


Friday night many of us went to a dinner in town. Though the weather delayed or even kept some people away, the enjoyment of people gathered to enjoy the company of fellow hikers was infectious.

The Rockies Ruck is quickly becoming the reunion for CDT hikers! Over the weekend, there were five people who completed the CDT in 2006, as well as past and soon-to-be future CDT hikers. Brian Martin, field operations manager for the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA), even made an appearance. Many of us enjoyed talking shop with a person responsible
for helping to make the dream of the CDT a reality.

Some CDT 2006ers!

Friday night Disco (CDT 2006) showed us a sneak preview of his CDT "Walkumentary".
If the finished product is as good as the preview, the CDT will have a DVD that shows the experience that is the CDT quite well. Continuing the theme of the CDT Sidewinder (also CDT 2006) showed us his DVD from his flip-flop hike of the trail.

Saturday morning, we all had a thru-hiker worthy breakfast. A few people went skiing and snowboarding at the nearby Copper Ski resort. Others went snowshoeing or cross country skiing. The weather was overcast, but made for a wonderful way to spend a winter day.

Later that night, more videos were watched. Squatches "Even more Walking" DVD about
the PCT was shown to much laughter. Burnfoot gave us a taste of international trekking
as he showed us his slides from Nepal. Burnfoot is responsible for the cache of soda in the
Cochetopa Hills many CT/CDT hikers have enjoyed.


Sunday morning came. Another huge breakfast was enjoyed. Our final hugs were given.
Some of us continued the weekend by doing a ski tour near Tennessee Pass to enjoy
one last bit of playing in the Colorado mountains.


The Ruck is meant to be low-key; no concrete agenda. Just people coming together who share a
love of the trails. A chance to tell tales, enjoy each others company and to celebrate what we all love: The trails and all that goes with a love of the trails.

And based on that simple criteria, the weekend was a success.


Pictures from the weekend