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.

Sometimes in your life you must read the writing on the wall and understand what needs to happen, this past week was one of those times.

I took off early Wednesday morning and bolted up to Denver to meet up with UTM, I kind of got a later start than I was planning due to a battle with some cold beers Tuesday night but it ended up being just right as UTM was still sipping coffee on his couch when I pulled up. So since none of us were very motivated we enjoyed a few cups and talked about our future trip to Canyonlands as well as UTM’s planned 30+ miler this summer.

After a while we got motivated enough to head to a great little diner where the biscuits and gravy did there job. Eventually we got on the road and made our way to the top of Loveland Pass to check out some of the gully chutes. Although I had never ridden the pass before UTM had spent plenty of time and new the lines well. After a few runs we decided to mix it up some and hit another chute that was slightly steeper, but still nothing to worry about…and that’s where it gets a bit fuzzy.

I remember dropping in and cutting left as I approached the tree line. Then everything was quiet and there was a thunderous boom as my head slammed into the slope. (thank you helmet!!) I know I recovered quickly, popping back up on my teles and making it a few feet before everything came unglued. I have had quite a few concussions in the past and this was a bonafide WHAMMY. I couldn’t see straight, I was nauseous, lightheaded, had no balance and oddly enough had know idea what I was doing. Fortunately I gathered my self and made my way down slope for a few more feet before I started to dry-heave.

Now I have been in enough traumatic events and had a strong enough medical background to know
I was in a bit of a pickle. So I called down to UTM who was waiting patiently and told him he needed to keep an eye on me and if I went out he would probably have to bring me off of the mountain. To which he scoffed. But I knew he would have helped me if I needed it. Right??

Well needless to say I made it slowly down although it seemed like I couldn’t keep my balance for anything. I think that is what really worried me is that as soon as I would get going I would eat it again and again. Finally as I was pulling myself up from my 5th or 6th fall I decided to take the skis off and hike out, as I was about to pull my left ski off I noticed that my climbing block was locked in the up position!! What a relief! I felt much better once I realized I could blame my equipment for some of the issues I was having, I dropped the block and skied out the rest of the run. I ended up taking a few minutes to get my wits about me and actually left for the day on a good note by riding a few more runs!

Thursday UTM and I got an earlier start and headed to Keystone. Although I was not completely “with it” I felt alright. We rode a few runs but eventually bailed because there was no escape from the ice. Even the backside was crowded and crusty.

I guess enough is enough, and as I got home Thursday evening I knew it was time. Time to toss the teles back in the attic and get the bike out, spring is officially here!!!

There is something that reinvigorates the soul when you break out the camping gear lay it all out to plan what you need for an upcoming adventure. The smells from past trip campfires comes flooding back and a new since of purpose fills your soul.

Today I laid out all of my gear as I prepare to take my Winter Wilderness Survival class out for their field experience or as I call it concept reinforcement. I am whittling down the last details and figuring out the best balance for my load. It is odd that as I look at all of the gear guides and drool over the new stuff I realize that it seems like all of the gear is becoming too specialized. To the point where it seems necessary to “need” a different set up for each season. Packs are designed with specific uses and their pockets and lashings are designed to fit a niche and only that niche.

Gone are the days of army style do it all external frame rucksacks. I now realize that the external frame is what made the pack back then. The actual bag really had nothing to offer. It was a simple, well, er, bag and that is it. The key was that you lashed all of the extras to the outside. (Am I the only one that remembers the old camp tin cup banging rhythmically to the side of the frame?) I guess I am lost. Searching for the perfect pack. I have used my Gregory Palisade for quite a few years with no real complaints aside from the irritating bottom section that is this ridiculous shape and size (Gregory quickly realized the issue and created a stuff sack to nestle inside this area perfectly…for a price).

I am also trying out a new beer can stove (1oz denatured alcohol burns for 5 minutes @ 8500ft elevation long enough to boil 2 cups of water. More about that later. I just wanted to share the soothing feeling of getting the gear out and the calm that I enjoy just before a trip.

I was going through my recent issue of Backpacker and I was stoked to read all about their efforts to revamp their website, so today I decided to check it out. The site is awesome, it is chock full of information ranging from local trail recommendation to gear reviews to “how to” videos. I think anyone interested in being outdoors could definitely benefit from this well put together site. Ease of navigation and wealth of information make this newly redesigned site tops. Check it out under the “mountains” section on the right side of this page. Enjoy.

Just kidding. Seriously if there was an avalanche during one of your backcountry adventures would you be prepared? Do you have the necessary equipment and more importantly do you know how to use it? Uncle Travelin’ Matt does and he has posted a great article on his blog about a great place to test your avalanche beacon skills. Check it out here. And if you ever run into UTM or Bumpy listen to what they they have to say and then offer to buy them a beer!

Seriously it is not all that implausable. Read this then tell me what you think. It has happened before, why not now?

Basically an investor is planning to put 5 lifts, 33 runs, 300 room hotel, 350 condos. Make it work…too easy! Ha. I am not sure if he knows how to read a ruler because he claims 12 feet of snow a year on the west side! Sure its 12 feet over 5 months however I would think it would melt then snow then melt then snow. Not really adding to the “base” but who knows. At least the trip would be shorter.