Archive for the ‘Hiking’ Category

Colorado Mountain Club – Hiking Navigation Class

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

CMC Boulder Map and Compass Class

On Sunday, I took a Colorado Mountain Club Hiking Navigation Class (Featuring Map and Compass skills). It had been 10 years since I had training and I thought it was time to have a refresher. Most of the mountaineering I do is out in the west, where there are expansive and uninterrupted views and generally predictable weather. It is very easy for me to gauge direction when I have such incredible line of sight, know how to make and read beautiful TOPO maps, and I avoid going out in extreme weather. However, if I suddenly had no GPS (batteries run out or the signal is degraded/non-existent) and I find myself in a heavily forested areas, or in severe weather, navigation using old fashioned map and compass techniques is essential.

Map and Compass Instructors
Hiking Navigation Instructors

The hiking navigation class offered through the CMC is very affordable. For $45, it includes 2 classroom lectures, one optional point plotting practice session, and a full day field trip. The instruction is first rate as lectures are given by experienced mountaineers to a small class size. Questions and class interaction are encouraged. Out in the field, there was a lead instructor and two assistants, so every student got personalized assistance with the exercises. I thought the class went really well and I’m glad I took the class.

(more…)

Arches National Park – Moab, Utah

Sunday, March 29th, 2015

La Sal Mountains from Arches National Park
The La Sal Mountains from Arches National Park

Turret Arch
Turret Arch

Arch Support
Arch Support!

The day after running Behind The Rocks 50k, we needed to head back to Denver. Rather than rush back, we took our time hiking around Arches National Park. It felt great to walk around on the legs after the race. I could tell they were stiffening up; so it was a good idea.

Arches National Park is really a neat park. If interested in geology and/or indigenous culture, it will be worth your time to check it out. After about 1 hour of walking around, I was ready to get back in the car and take a nap! The day after my 50Ks, I just don’t have that much energy as my body is in recovery mode!

Hiking – Mt. Galbraith, Golden, CO

Sunday, March 1st, 2015

Dennis and Clare Hiking Mt Galbraith
Hiking in the snow!

Clare and Jane on Mt. Galbraith
Clare and Jane enjoying the wintry weather on Mt. Galbraith

Mt Galbraith Park Trail Head
Trail Head Sign

Jane, Dennis, and I met up to go for a nice hike up to and around Mt. Galbraith. It was a snowy winter day. When we got to the trail head, we saw that the trail was packed so we decided to leave the snowshoes in the car. It took us a couple hours to hike the ~6 miles, at a really nice mellow pace. The clouds were fairly low, but we still had some nice views of Golden and Lookout Mountain. I really enjoyed the hike of Mt. Galbraith; it’s proximity to Golden, convenient trail head, good signage, and nice views.

Peru – Day 11 – Machu Picchu

Sunday, December 21st, 2014

Intrepid Travel Group at Machu Picchu
Our Intrepid Tour Group at Machu Picchu
In Front: Jeannie, Laura, and Larisse
In Back: Andrew, Chrissy, Clare, and Dennis

Freddie at the Rock Quarry
Our Guide Freddie!

Huana Picchu Panorama - close up
Huana Picchu

Smiles at the Sun Gate
Smiles at the Sun Gate

On Sunday, we woke up at 5:30am, in order to get on the first bus to Machu Picchu. It was incredibly foggy and slightly wet outside, so I wondered how the day would turn out. I was hopeful it would burn off, as we prepared for the hike around the ruins.

(more…)

Peru – Day 8 – Moray, Chinchero, and Inca Musuem

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Moray Agriculture Panorama
Moray Agriculture Panorama

Outside Chinchero Walls
Outside the Chinchero Walls

Chinchero Panorama
Chinchero Panorama!

On Thursday, we said goodbye to the folks heading to hike on the Inca Trail and then headed back to Cusco. On the way back, we stopped at the important Inca Agriculture center at Moray and then visited the ancient Inca settlement at Chinchero.

El Paisa - A Sampler of the Sea
When we got back to Cusco, we went out to eat at an amazing locals restaurant, El Paisa , where we enjoyed live music and ate until we were completely stuffed!

Inca Museum Courtyard
Clare, Dennis, Laura, and Larisse at the Inca Musuem
Then, we walked off the huge lunch with a visit to the Inca Musuem.

(more…)