Nine Days of Camping

June 30 we make and afternoon rainy drive up through Rocky Mountain National Park. The sites are amazing, the wet forest smell is intoxicating...

As we made out way into the Kawuneeche Valley we begin to look for the Bowen-Baker Trailhead. We parked and prepared the back of the truck for the night.

Our plan was to get an early start July 1st on a 19 mile loop into the Never Summer Wilderness. After an afternoon of rain showers and seeing massive elk during a quick walk around the trailhead we were stoked for the trip to commence.

We started the wonderful trip by seeing a cow and calf moose in the trailhead. Nineteen miles, two lakes, two passes, so many more memories...

After three great nights out, we head into Hot Sulphur Springs for a nice shower and a good hot soaking. The plan for the rest of the trip was to do some car camping in Routt National Forest. Great weather, 18 different moose, including five bulls that came through camp every day and most importantly some relaxation and recharging...

 

 Check out Dharani's experience of our trip coming soon at http://mdharaniblog.wordpress.com/

Making The Best Of It

With the lack of snow we have had this year in Colorado we decided to pursue snow elsewhere. Fortunately for me this post is called "Off The Grid", so Paul and I went off the grid to find some snow.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Jan 2, 2012 we met up in Georgetown and headed up to Mt. Trelease. We carried up out boards in ski mode until we got to enough snow to skin. After skinning up partway I had trouble with the skin on my right ski not sticking anymore...

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

Paul continued up to the top of the run, I changed over and had to hike about 100 yards to the top of the line. We hydrated and got ready to drop. It was pretty awesome riding a wind crust over 14 inches of facets, almost like a pow day after riding in resorts all season.

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

At the bottom of the line we changed back over to tour mode, luckily my skins adhered this time. Tip: keep them warm in your coat so the glue works. Motoring back up an already set skin tract we gain the top of the line again and ate a lunch.

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Changing over we dropped in for a second run....

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Paul Bourdon

We road as far as the snow would allow then hiked the rest of the way back to the truck.

Photo: Cory Arola

Of course the Lucky Bunny    Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Paul Bourdon

It was a great way to start the year off!

A look at our turns   Photo: Cory Arola

Hut Trip

This weekend I went off to have some relaxation at an old ski patrol hut that remains standing in one of Colorado's ghost ski areas. It was Angie's first experience camping away from the car, what a luxurious experience for her. The cabin has a wood-burning stove and is set up to comfortably accommodate about 7 people. We lucked out and had the place to ourselves. Here are the photos from our adventure.

Where we would be staying for the weekend. Photo: Cory Arola

Getting ready to collect some would to keep us warm for the night. Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Paul came up on a day hike to spend a couple hours exploring.  Photo: Cory Arola

Can anyone guess where we are? Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Top of the world! Photo: Cory Arola

Angie adding to the log book at the cabin. Photo: Cory Arola

Enjoying a sunset. Photo: Cory Arola

Angie still in bed. Photo: Cory Arola

Wood-burning stove and sleeping area. Photo: Cory Arola

Of course the Lucky Bunny, better photo after I develop the fisheye film. Photo: Cory Arola

Lucky Bunny! Photo: Cory Arola