This beautiful short film takes us on a quest with skier Drew Petersen, who set out to ski the highest peaks in all 11 of the states that make up the Western U.S. They include Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and Montana. In order to achieve his goal, Drew had to go to some great lengths, but as you'll see, those efforts were incredibly rewarding in so many ways.
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Video: Meet The Snow Guardian
Meet billy barr (yes, that's how he spells it!), a man who has lived alone in a cabin near Gothic, Colorado for 40 years. Over that time, he has been keeping meticulous records of the weather, how much snow has fallen, what the temperature on any given day is, and so on. Those records are now proving invaluable to climate scientists, who view billy as an invaluable resource. This is his story, as told by National Geographic.
Colorado Adventures: Fly Fishing in Crested Butte
But, Crested Butte isn't just a great mountain biking destination, as it has a lot to offer other visitors too. For instance, in the winter it has excellent skiing both at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort and backcountry options for the more adventurous. There is also plenty of great snowshoeing and nordic skiing too, if you prefer your winter adventures with a bit less adrenaline-fueled downhill action. During the warmer months, the hiking and trail running routes are spectacular, and the most of the mountain bike trails can be done on horseback too. This being Colorado, there also plenty of options for camping, climbing, and paddling as well, with even some good whitewater to run.
While I didn't have the chance to try each of those activities while I was in town, I did get the chance to do a little fly fishing. And while I'm mostly a beginner at that sport, I found it to be a relaxing, yet still engaging, way to explore the local culture.
For my fly-fishing experience we drove about 20 minutes outside of Crested Butte to reach the Three Rivers Resort, located in the small town of Almont. Three Rivers not only has a some wonderful rooms, cabins, and houses for visitors to rent, it also offers some active day-trips for those looking for some adventure. In addition to guiding rafting and kayaking excursions, travelers can also book stand-up paddleboard sessions, and skiing and snowboarding outings during the winter months. They also have a knowledgable and friendly staff in a well-stocked tackle shop for local and visiting anglers, as well a guide service that can get you out on the water and reeling in fish in no time.
We dropped by one morning to find out what fish were biting (trout and salmon it turns out!) and to hire one of the guides to take us out on the Taylor River. His name was Patrick, and he brought years of experience and excellent knowledge not only about the best places to fish in the area, but the different ways of setting up your pole to try to land a few big ones. As someone who has fly fished before, but is still relatively new to the sport, he proved to be an invaluable asset out on the water.
For those who have never fly fished, there is a bit of skill involved with learning to cast, letting your line drift, setting the hook, and bringing a fish to shore. All that can be picked up fairly quickly however, and after a brief refresher course, I soon found myself casting relatively efficiently. Patrick provided good tips on how and where to cast our lines, and he gave plenty of encouragement as we stood hip-deep in the refreshingly cool river.
It is often said that fly fishing is a bit of a zen-inducing activity, and after spending a couple of hours out on the water, I began to understand why. There is certainly a skill to getting the casting motion down, and the patience required to lure in a fish requires a sense of calm. Add in a dramatically beautiful back drop like the ones found in Gunnison County, and you have all the ingredients for a great day. Standing in the middle of that river, watching salmon swimming upstream around you, while learning to cast efficiently was an amazing experience, and even though we didn't end up landing any fish that day, it was still a terrific way to spend the morning.
One sure sign that you're having a great time on any outdoor adventure is when you look at your watch and are shocked to see how much time has passed. That was exactly the case during our fly fishing excursion. Before I knew it, several hours had gone by and it was time to move on to another activity. But, after even that brief time in the water, I think it's safe to say I'm hooked (ha!) and I'm already looking forward to my next opportunity to give it a go again. It will be tough to match the landscape I was immersed in while visiting Crested Butte though, as the surrounding mountains looming overhead were exactly what you'd expect for a fantastic fishing trip.
If you're headed to CB and you're looking to take a break from mountain biking or hiking, or you're simply looking to go fly fishing while you're in the area, the Three Rivers Resort will certainly do a great job of helping you land some fish. Even if you don't hire one of their guides to lead you out on the water, drop by their tackles shop to pick up any items you might need, and get some hints and tips on where to go and what is biting. They'll be more than happy to help you out. Check out the resorts website here.
After my all-too-brief fly-fishing experience, it was time to move on to more mountain biking. Obviously that was not something that I would object to, but the next time I visited Crested Butte, you can bet that fishing will be back on the agenda. If you're headed that direction, it should be on yours too.
Colorado Adventures: Mountain Biking Crested Butte
For those that don't know, Crested Butte is considered one of the birthplaces of mountain biking. As far back as 1976 local riders were heading out across mountain passes on single-speed bikes that were hardly made for the conditions. In the 80's the sport really started to gain traction as riders took part in a number of grueling races and group rides, including the Pearl Pass Tour, which has been around for nearly four decades. CB is even home to the oldest mountain bike association in the world, something that they are rightfully proud of.
Located about 4.5 hours southwest of Denver by car (or a short hop to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport), Crested Butte is a quintessential mountain town, complete with plenty of outdoor activities and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. With just 1500 permanent residents, you would expect it to be a sleepy little place, but the opposite is actually true. Not only is CB home to an interesting and eclectic blend of locals, it has plenty of visitors who come to partake in its outdoor playground pretty much any time of the year.
During the winter, the town is a wonderful ski destination, with Crested Butte Mountain Resort just minutes away. With more than 120 ski runs, and an average snowfall of about 300" (7.6 meters) each year, it has plenty to offer snowboarders and skiers alike. And for the more adventurous amongst us, the area also has outstanding backcountry opportunities as well, giving visitors a chance to shred untouched powder on a regular basis.
My visit came just after the end of the summer rush, but still prior to the start of the fall season, when the local aspen trees begin to take on their legendary golden hues. At some of the higher elevations that was already starting to happen, giving me a hint of what was to come. But while I was there summer was still in full swing, with cool mornings but warm afternoons that were perfect for hitting the trail.
With more than 750 miles of trails to explore, my four days in Crested Butte was only going to be enough to give me a small taste of what the area has to offer. Still, it was enough to give me an idea of what to expect, and it most definitely did not disappoint.
One of the things that I loved about Crested Butte was that riders can access a wide variety of trails without ever having to load their bike onto a vehicle. You can quite literally hop into the saddle and set off down the road, and be on a spectacular trail within a matter of minutes. As someone who has to drive a half hour or more just to reach a decent mountain biking trail, this came as quite refreshing change of pace.
On my first ride, I grabbed a rental bike from The Alpineer, a local bike shop with a very knowledgeable staff that will not only set you up with a great bike, but give you some good intel on where to head out for a ride too. After getting acquainted with my bike, I was soon headed off down the road in search of a trail. After about 10 or 15 minutes on pavement, my tires found some dirt at last.
For that afternoon, I rode the Lupine Trail which I'm told is covered in wildflowers throughout the summer. My guide for the ride was none other than Janae Pritchett of Colorado Backcountry Outfitters, and organization that not only teaches mountain biking but organizes excursions into the surrounding mountains on both bikes and skis. Janae offered plenty of insight into the local bike scene, and even had some good tips to help improve my own riding.
The Lupine Trail is listed at an intermediate difficulty, which I would say was pretty accurate. It was also the perfect for for me, as my lungs hadn't acclimated to the altitude just yet (CB is located at about 8500 ft (2590 meters), and often left gasping for air on some of the approach hills. If you're a low-lander like me, keep this in mind when you first start to ride. I'm in excellent physical condition, but still had a difficult time keeping up.
The seven-mile long Lupine Trail isn't very technical, but it does offer some great scenery and flows along very nicely. You'll have some nice downhill sections, but nothing overly crazy, and the climbs aren't particularly challenging unless you're still getting acclimated like I was. Even then, it was a fairly easy ride that even beginner mountain bikers will be able to appreciate.
With my first taste of Crested Butte mountain biking under my belt, I was eager to see what else the area had to offer. On my second day of riding I caught the local bus (free!) up to Crested Butte Mountain Resort, where I grabbed another bike from the rental shop. This time out, I would be riding a downhill bike, which felt very different from the all-mountain machine I had the day before. After getting acquainted with this bike, I grabbed a ride on one of the lifts that whisked me away to the top of the mountain.
The resort has more than 30 different trails stretching out across 35 miles, with new ones being added each year. Those trails offer everything from easy routes designed for beginners to crazy double-black diamond runs that are built to get the adrenaline flowing in even the most experienced riders. The routes that I rode varied nicely in terms of challenges and terrain, but there were relatively few climbs, with most of the trails flowing downhill, where riders could simply hop right back on the lift and head to the top again for another run.
The resort literally has everything you need to get out on the trail. There are several different shops that rent bikes and equipment, so you can grab helmets, pads, and body armor depending on the style of your ride. You can also purchase lift tickets there and then set off for a full day of riding, simply stopping to grab lunch or to take a break in one of the various restaurants or pubs that can be found there.
The riding at the resort was very different than what I had found back closer to town. It was all about the downhill, which is fast, fun, and exciting. But, there was less of a chance to ride cross-country, so if you're looking to do some touring, you might focus your rides elsewhere. If you're a thrill seeker however, Crested Butte Mountain Resort is where you'll get your fix.
With two solid days of riding under my belt, it was nearly time to head home. But before I left for the airport on my final day, I had the chance to take one last ride in the morning. I dropped by The Alpineer again to grab another bike, and set off by myself to ride the Lower Loop Trail, which can be easily accessed from town. This ride was very easy, and gave me a chance to really soak in the scenery as I pedaled along. While I certainly enjoy the thrilling challenges of a good trail ride on a mountain bike, sometimes it is also nice to just enjoy all of the spectacular views of nature that can be found all around you. That's exactly what I did, breathing in the crisp, cool mountain air as I rolled along peacefully.
Over the course of several days, I was fortunate enough to get a good taste of the mountain biking scene in Crested Butte, and came away incredibly impressed. The place more than lives up to the hype, offering trails for all skill levels and even opportunities for newbies and experienced riders alike to improve their skills too. Whether you want a simple cross-country trail that allows you to take in the dramatic Colorado backdrops, or you're searching for crazy downhill madness, you'll find something to love on the trails in CB. They are beautiful, well maintained, and simply a joy to ride.
What more could you ask for in a mountain biking destination?
On the Road Again: Headed to Crested Butte, Colorado
As usual, that probably means no updates for the rest of the week. I will be back home late Sunday, and will resume posting updates again next Monday, so just a short break this time out. The following week I'll be off to Bryce Canyon for a short backpacking trip however, so my time at home will once again be brief. After that, there is just one more international escape on the agenda at the moment, followed hopefully by some pleasant time at home heading into the fall.
I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to share when I return from CB. I'm told the mountain biking is epic and I'm looking forward to seeing the place for myself. Until then, take advantage of the changing seasons and get outside and enjoy some adventures of your own. Now is a great time for camping, hiking, cycling, or whatever outdoor activity you enjoy doing. I'll be back before you know it.
Video: A Slice of Autumn in Colorado
Winter may be finally upon us, but that doesn't mean we can't look back at the autumn that has just past and enjoy some of the season's lovely colors. In this video we take a tour of Colorado in the fall, where the golden hues of the aspen trees spread out across the alpine landscapes in spectacular fashion, while snowcapped peaks loom high overhead. Colorado is a place that is beautiful all year long, but in the fall it is particularly special. Sit back and enjoy this one. These colors won't be back for another year.
A Slice of Colorado's Autumn from Toby Harriman on Vimeo.
Video: Life Above 5000 Feet
Shot in western Colorado and parts of Utah, this video captures some of the most spectacular timelapse imagery you could ever hope to see. It features beautiful night skies and amazing landscapes filled with snowcapped peaks, tranquil lakes, and wondrous rock formations. For my money, Colorado and Utah are two of the most beautiful states in the U.S., and that more than shines through here. These are two places that exude adventure, whether you're hiking, climbing, mountain biking, or simply just enjoying scenery. Here is just a taste of what to expect there.
Life Above 5,000ft: Colorado + Utah 2015 from Star Mountain Media on Vimeo.
Off to Colorado on Assignment
I'm hitting the road again tomorrow and will be gone through the end of the week. I'm off to Grand Junction, Colorado on assignment for a magazine article I'll be writing soon. Hopefully I'll have a chance to post a few morning updates while I'm there, but if blog posts are sparse this week, you'll know why.
While I'm in Colorado, I'll be going off-roading with Cooper Tires to test a new set of tires that the company will be releasing soon. We'll be taking on such routes as the Grand Mesa Trail and Bangs Canyon in some jeeps especially equipped to take on the terrain there. It should be both a fun and informative couple of days, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to spend some time back in the Rockies once again.
With any luck, I'll post at least a few updates over the next few days, particularly as we get closer to the start of summit pushes on Broad Peak and K2. It will be a busy couple of weeks in the big mountains, and as usual I'll be doing my best with staying up with the latest news.
Video: Tommy Caldwell Climbs the Four Hardest Routest at The Monastery in a Single Day!
Tommy Caldwell is one of the best climbers working the rock today. He proves that once again in this video, in which he takes on four of the hardest climbs at The Monastery in Colorado in a single day. Each of these routes is incredibly challenging in their own right, but doing all of them in one day only adds to the difficulty. Caldwell uses the experience to help prepare him for his ultimate project – climbing the Dawn Wall on El Capitan, a project he has been working on for five years.
Tommy Caldwell Climbs The Four Hardest Routes at the Monastery, In a Day!!! from BlueWater Ropes on Vimeo.
Video: Epic Snowmobile Drops Caught on GoPro
Shot in the deep backcountry snow near Steamboat, Colorado, this video captures a couple of massive drops off of high cliffs by a snowmobiler who happened to be wearing his GoPro camera that the time. The first drop is scary enough, but the second is even more impressive. Fortunately, there was plenty of soft powder to help cushion the fall. Don't try this at home kids!
Video: Mountain Biking the Elk Mountains in Colorado
Just when you thought it wasn't possible for Colorado to be even more enticing as an adventure destination, along comes this video from Yeti Cycles. It was shot in Elk Mountains, which are located not far from the town of Crested Butte. It gives viewers an intriguing glimpse at how wonderful this rugged section of the Rocky's truly is, with some great looking singletrack, beautiful fall scenery, and breathtaking vistas. This is the type of video that will have you longing to get back on your mountain bike for one more ride this fall, even as the cold winds of winter remind you that the season is nearly over. This isn't just a wonderful video to watch however. It is a visual ode to the sport of mountain biking in all of its glory. We should all be so lucky to have trails like this one at our disposal.
Elk Mountains. I'm Part of the Tribe. from Yeti Cycles on Vimeo.
Video: Autumn in Aspen
Autumn has officially arrived here in the Northern Hemisphere, and with it comes cooler temperatures, shorter days, and changing of the leaves on the trees. This all-too short video gives us a wonderful look at fall in the Rocky Mountains. Shot near Aspen, Colorado, the scenery is as breathtaking as you'd expect.
Maroon Bells in Autumn from Mike Kvackay on Vimeo.
Video: Mountain Biking with Eric Larsen
After spending 53 days this past spring traveling to the North Pole on foot, I'd say polar explorer Eric Larsen has earned a little down time. In this video, he takes advantage of some time off to go mountain biking in Colorado near Crested Butte, a spectacular place to hit the trail if there ever was one. The ride looks like a fun one, with enough speed to provide some adrenaline, without becoming overly technical on the descent. Just what you need some days when all you want to do is get on your bike and go. Lovely.
Video: Paint It Black
The short video that I have shared below is an incredibly powerful look at the dedication and determination that climbers often bring to their projects. It features Ian Dory, who set out to climb a V15 route in Colorado known as Paint It Black. Little did he know that finishing that route would become his obsession, taking two years to complete. The film shows viewers his frustration along the way, and ultimately the satisfaction of having completed this difficult problem. Beautiful images and good storytelling are highlights of the clip.
Ian Dory's STRONG from Mind Frame Cinema on Vimeo.
Video: Dancing On The Maiden
Here's something we really haven't seen before. The video below shows a "fabric dancer" plying her craft on The Maiden, a peak located in the Flatiron Mountains near Boulder, Colorado. The amount of strength, grace and confidence that she displays is simply amazing, considering the only thing keeping her up are those thin pieces of cloth and her own incredible athleticism. This is beautiful to behold, and I'm guessing we'll see more videos like this in the future. Amazing.
Maiden Light from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.
Video: A Month On The Colorado Trail
Backpacker Wesley Trimble spent a month hiking the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango, covering 486-miles along the way. He took his GoPro camera with him for the hike and then put the footage together in the video below. It took him 31 days to hike the entire distance through a wilderness that looks both beautiful and varied.
From the 16th to the 16th from Wesley Trimble on Vimeo.
Video: Unicycling Down A 14,000-Foot Peak In Colorado
Last Saturday Max Schulze was up before the crack of dawn to hike to the top of the 14,278-foot (4351 meter) Grays Peak in Colorado. He reached top in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset and then started a remarkable descent on a unicycle. The video below shares some of the footage from that ride which looks like it would be a fun one with two wheels but I'm not sure I'm ready to try with just one. This is quite the display of skill and agility. Definitely not an endeavor for the faint of heart.
Colorado 14er Muni: Grays Peak from Maxtron on Vimeo.
Video: Ice Climbing Bridal Veil Falls in Colorado
At 111 meters (365 ft) in height, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the state of Colorado. It is a spectacular sight year round but in the winter the falls freeze over providing some of the best ice climbing in North America.
The video below was shot back in 2009, when the falls had just re-opened to ice climbing and it gives us a glimpse of how amazing the climb up that frozen rock face can be. The video also features legendary climber Jack Roberts, who passed away after falling off Bridal Veil in January. Jack was one of the top ice climbers in the world and had extensive experience climbing waterfalls across the globe, but BV was one of his favorites and he knew its challenges well.
Thanks to Ben Clark for sharing this video with us.
The video below was shot back in 2009, when the falls had just re-opened to ice climbing and it gives us a glimpse of how amazing the climb up that frozen rock face can be. The video also features legendary climber Jack Roberts, who passed away after falling off Bridal Veil in January. Jack was one of the top ice climbers in the world and had extensive experience climbing waterfalls across the globe, but BV was one of his favorites and he knew its challenges well.
Thanks to Ben Clark for sharing this video with us.
Video: Mixed Climbing With Sam Elias
Looking for a little inspiration for your upcoming weekend? Then look no further than this video, which features climber, and North Face athlete, Sam Elias, working a mixed route of rock, snow, and ice in Vail Pass. The route, which goes by the name of "Red Bull and Vodka," rises 120 feet and finishes off on The Fang, one of the toughest ice climbs around.
SAM ELIAS/ MIXED CLIMBING/ RED BULL AND VODKA M11 from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge Begins Today!
128 of the best cyclists in the world have descended on Colorado Springs, Colorado today to kick off the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The six-day event begins with a prologue today and includes four stages and a time trial, spread out over 600-miles of the Rocky Mountains and the highest altitude course ever.
The field is full of tough competitors, including Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, as well as both Frank and Andy Schleck. In all, 17 teams will be competing in the race, which is the first pro-cycling event in Colorado in a decade. To make the event a memorable one, the course designers decided to add plenty of challenges to the race, including some major climbs, dizzying descents, and plenty of that trademark Colorado thin air.
Things officially get underway later today when the riders take to the street for a short 5.18 mile prologue. It gets a lot more interesting tomorrow however, when they'll hit the road for a 100 mile long stage that features more than 8000 feet of climbing, reaching altitudes in excess of 11,300 feet. That's only the beginning however, as most of the rest of the stages will offer similar climbs, and the time trial on Thursday will include more than 1200 feet of climbing, with the entire stage staying above 8000 feet. Hopefully these guys have spent a few days acclimatizing, as this is going to be one long week of riding.
Velonews has a nice breakdown of the stages, which can be read here and will no doubt have good coverage of the event throughout the week. It should be fun to watch how the race unfolds, as it seems like it should be a beautiful, yet very challenging course. I hope it is a big success, as it is always great to see another cycling event here in the States.