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…

Running Wild Basin: Chiefs Head to Tanima

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If there is one thing I think I am good at, it is endurance sports. It has been that way for pretty much my entire life. Growing up, I was always athletic and did well at all kinds of sports,* but regardless of what it was, I was almost never the fastest guy, or the quickest, or the strongest. In most of those things, I have always been content to be well rounded as opposed to really excelling in one area. The one exception to this has always been my stamina. Keep reading…

Sangres Six Pack: LB to EP, Plus 3

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I need to give Kiefer of 14ers.com the credit for coming up with this itinerary in a discussion last year. He couldn’t make it this year, but Ryan “Mountain Socialite” Marsters agreed to come along for the fun, and upped the ante by adjusting our schedule so we could accompany Andrew Hamilton for just a mile or two as he set out to try and break the speed record for the Fourteeners. (Ryan’s high school lacrosse coach is a friend of Hamilton’s.) Thanks to Ryan for his usual great company, for exercising restraint to allow me to lead some sections, and for some excellent photos – more than half in this report are his. 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…