Category Archives: Backpacking

The Four Pass Loop in Pictures, and Some Extra Credit

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Over the weekend I had the privilege of backpacking the Four Pass Loop in the Elks with Benny, Anna-Lisa and a great group of friends from their church group. Having had a few days to reflect on the journey, many words come to mind; intense, amazing, beautiful, fun, just to name a few, but I think the word that conveys the journey best is special. The Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is in a class by itself and I thought it best to let the pictures tell the story. Keep reading…

Bubble Lake: Crown Jewel of the Gores

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Scot, Mike and I had been tentatively planning a trip to the reclusive Bubble Lakes for a couple years now. Fortunately for me, they both bailed on the idea 2 times before, and the stars finally aligned last weekend. I’m glad they did, cause this place was special. Scot put it in his top 3 all-time (1 – Sunlight Basin, 2 – Bubble, 3 – Slate), I think I put it tied for #1 with Slate (I have not been to Sunlight). Mike took the neutral path and said he loves them all (and he’s been to all 3). Keep reading…

A Night Out in Deluge: Grand Traverse Peak and Neighbors

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On Saturday the 22nd my Dad Tj, his friend Scott, Scott’s friend Rico, and I made our way to East Vail and started up the Gore Creek Trail carrying overnight packs. Our plan was to pack in, camp in the open meadows just below treeline, and climb Grand Traverse the next day. Though Grand Traverse is typically hiked in a day from the bottom, there were certainly advantages to a pack in for our group in particular. Read more…

Laboring in the Weminuche: Ruby to Chicago 13ers

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After our return from the PNW in June Brian and I began laying down an itinerary for a summer backpacking trip to the Weminuche. We reached out for partners and established a group of ten highly interested, which would ultimately be reduced to a final list of seven. None of us had climbed any of the Ruby Basin 13ers previously with the exception of Brian, who headed in a few years ago and hit Pigeon, Turret, and the Animas Group with some fellow 14ers.com members. Matt, Mark, and Tim have been fast at work on the Centennials so their interests in a Pigeon/Turret/Jupiter combo were very high. Keep reading…