Posts from — June 2008

And they are off!!! Today was the start of the games with the first event of the Steep Creek Championship held in Homestake Creek, dropping a whopping 480 feet per mile Homestake is a paddling gem that was once known only to Vail Valley locals . I tell you what these guys and gals are tough. With 6 females and 57 men this event was packed and all were eager for the bruising torrent full of pockets and chutes leaving the competitors stoked with conditions and really stepping up their games for the competition. The weather held off for the practice runs but let loose some rain and sleet for the finals.

After the last boat ran we headed into Vail Village to check out the rest of the set up but bailed due to the weather. Which worked out well for me, when I got back to the caravan in Leadville I headed out for a good run and as luck would have it my route passed right in front of Rosie’s Brewpub, sitting at 10,152 feet claims the title of North America’s highest brewery so I had to give it a go.

Tomorrow I am going to check out the IFSC Bouldering World Cup Qualifer, dockdogs Big Air competition, kayak freestyle qualifier, the Sobe freeride demonstration and maybe the Ozomatli concert. I am also going to try and ride some of the outragous single track around Vail if I get a chance!!

More tomorrow.

I just got word that climbing stud Chris Sharma has entered the climbing competition which I am sure will be amazing!!

Oh yeah I also wanted to let you guys know that there is a bar in town with PBR 2 for $1!!! DYYY-NOOOO-MITE!!

Technically all of Colorado’s front range wins, but I feel especially blessed due to my undying love of beer! Published in the Colorado Springs Gazette was an article about the opening of not one, not two, but THREE new micro breweries!!!! WHOOHOO!!!

The first, Rocky Mountain Brewery (located in the old Blick’s Brewery location) is scheduled to open this weekend. Rocky Mountain Brewery is championed by none other than Duane Lujan owner of Winecrafters and the former My Homebrew Shop. Now for those of you that brew you already know of the wealth of knowledge Duane holds as well as his willingness to share some great tips and the occasional recipe. Trust me, I spent many a day picking this guys brain for suggestions and recipes and now we all will benefit from his vast knowledge. No one will leave Rocky Mountain Brewery unhappy.

Rocky Mountain Brewery will be followed with in a few months by Trinity Brewing Company. Jason Yester the owner of this little brew house is well known as the past head brewer of Bristol Brewery. So we all know that he sets the bar high and often comes up with some out of this world brews.

The third brewery blessing the Springs on a yet to be announced date is the reopening of the brewery at the Warehouse Restaurant. I am not sure of what this one will bring but when Palmer Brewery was there they produced some great brews as well!!

I just got word that my press credentials are in for the Teva Mountain Games which take place June 5-8 in beautiful Vail, Colorado. With events like kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, and Paragliding as well as many more this venue is going to rock!! If you have not checked them out yet, here is the original post with links to the games. Hopefully some of you will make it out other wise I will have updates and pictures courtesy of Mtn Mama.

Yet another drunk driver championing the sport of bicycle bowling. The driver was drunk, fell asleep, and plowed into these racers.

Unfortunately one of these athletes dies.

Share the road. Don’t drive drunk. Wake up.

I rolled back into town early Monday (now a week ago) after a great trip into the Lost Creek Wilderness. UTM his buddy Todd and I headed out to the Goose Creek trail head Saturday morning eager for a hike and a great relaxing weekend among the wilds.

The trail head was overstuffed to say the least but we managed to find a spot to park the rig and after a few last minute gear checks, we were off. The trail head lies near the northern end of the Hayman burn area (largest fire in Colorado history) from there you drop down to Goose creek among the standing dead trees that leave and eerie reminder of human idiocy.

Interspersed with the standing dead are the promise of a new forest with Aspen and Spruce and Ponderosa saplings popping out everywhere. Working your way down switchbacks to the creek itself you quickly transition into the untouched forest with the beautiful creek on your right. All the while surrounded by giant granite boulders, moss covered rocks and the pleasant song of nature untouched.

We followed the trail down a few hundred meters until we met a fork in the trail, to the right we could cross a bridge or continue going on a secondary trail straight ahead. We chose the latter and were not disappointed, after a bit more hiking we found a great site secluded from the others with great views and plenty of flat ground for our tents.

We went to task at setting up our camp and quickly took off down to the rapidly flowing creek and enjoyed exploring the creek north of our camp as well as stopping on a grand flat granite boulder for a quick nap in the sun. Returning to camp after that short hike we settled into dinner and conversation. All in all the first day and night went well with clear skies and a grand celestial display.

Sunday we rose early cooked up some pancakes and dedicated our morning to making our way to the top of a granitic outcropping where we had seen an arch the day before. With the promise of another warm breezy day we decided instead of taking the trail to go cross country and were not disappointed as we were set to scramble up and around huge boulders deep in the old growth of vanilla scented Ponderosa pines. We found numerous springs and the views south of Pikes Peak were amazing. I guess it took us about two hours to reach our goal and were rewarded with outlandish granite boulders and the smooth almost flowing terrain of rock. From the top we were actually looking down on Harmonica Arch and Goose creek all the way through the valley to Pikes Peak far to the south. From the north you could see the expanse of the Lost Creek Wilderness. An area I plan on exploring in great depth very soon!!

The trip ended uneventfully and although we did not hike a great deal we all had a great time simply being out of doors and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this great wilderness area.