The next time I’m in Colorado, which will be September 2019, I will be going for Pike’s Peak from the Barr Trail. I got the idea after first hearing about the Manitou Incline, and then finding out that’s one of the trails up to Pike’s. This will be my second 14er behind Gray’s Peak in…
Get Your SPOT Tested
We are becoming so reliant on electronic devices these days that I hope we maintain some basic level of skills, survival or otherwise, if [or when] these gadgets fail. The SPOT Messenger is one of those devices I’ve taken with me on all my hiking, snowmobiling and off-roading adventures since 2011! My wife gave it…
REI Loyalty Benefit on Your Membership Anniversary
February marks the month I became an REI Member back in 1999. It also marks my 20th year of shopping at REI for the majority of my adventuring needs. That’s a long time! Long enough to show loyalty to a quality brand, a solid business and a trusted partner that shares a love with me…
The Hormones of Hiking
I’ve been reading a book for work this week called Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. I was surprised to find a chapter about body chemicals that helped me understand why we do what we do as hikers. The first hormone that plays into hiking is all about what keeps us putting one foot in…
Avalanche Safety Myths Debunked
Nice reminder from Miss Adventure Pants of things we need to pay attention to as we begin this winter backcountry hiking season! MYTH #1: Avalanches aren’t a big problem in the Lower 48 MYTH #2: Avalanches aren’t a problem for hikers MYTH #3: Avalanche slopes are obvious MYTH #4: Staying off steep slopes will keep…
Setting Goals Drives More Focus
Someone recently asked, how do you get in the habit of doing regular hikes? My suggestion was to set a goal. Last year, I wanted to beat my previous year’s mileage by 100. This year I set a goal to do 50 miles/month. I’ve seen others set goals for # of peaks or # of hikes…
Knife-edge Ridge Between Hidden Peak and AF Twins
This is what you can expect on the ridge between Hidden Peak and AF Twins. The clip below is the section of white rocks with an adjacent section of black rocks that is very similar. Each section is about 1/4 mile long. I wore a bright yellow shirt in case I slipped… that way, SAR…
Scrambling the Ridge Below Pfiefferhorn
Here’s what you can expect when scrambling across the ridge just below Pfeifferhorn. Most of this traverse is about 15 feet across that I was able to do one-handed as I held my new GoPro in the other (no chest/head mount yet). There was only one very short spot (where this footage cuts from one…
To Tell, or Not To Tell
To tell, or not to tell: that is the question: whether ’tis better to share the locations of outrageous beauty for all to enjoy, or to keep these destinations a mystery as if you are the only one privileged to know. What a dilemma we face today on social media with taking pictures, posting them…
Havasupai: a Grand Canyon Oasis
There’s a lot of info out there about Havasupai that would be redundant if I repeated it again here. Instead, I prefer to share the itinerary of our first trip to this amazing Grand Canyon oasis and let you reference that for your planning needs. DAY 1 – Travel Day I wasn’t a big fan…