Posts Tagged ‘Hiking’

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 7 – Corcoro Village Cultural Experience

Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

Laguna Piuray
Laguna Piuray, on our way to Corcoro

Corcoro
Corcoro Ladies

Wool Cleaning Demonstration
Process of Cleaning and Dying Wool

On Wednesday, Dennis and I joined the rest of our Intrepid Travel group on a cultural visit to a small mountain village called Corcoro. Dennis was still feeling under the weather, so I was hoping today’s activities weren’t too taxing.

On the schedule, was a trip to the mountain village where we would learn traditional field plowing methods, the art of weaving, experience a traditional country lunch, play some soccer, learn how to make Chicha (fermented corn drink!), and end the day in Ollyantaytambo.

(more…)

Ecuador – Day 10 – Guagua Pichincha Hike and Quito’s Marascal District

Saturday, November 29th, 2014

A Fruit Stand
A Market on Outskirts of Quito

Pichincha Hut and Basalt Crag
The Guagua Pichincha Hut (14,900 ft) and nice looking Basalt Crag (climbable?)

Quito Beer
Enjoying a beer in the Marascal District

On our last day in Ecuador, we drove back to Quito, from the lodge, Cuello De Luna. As we neared Quito, we drove through a large farmers market. Then, we headed to the town of Lloa, to do a cool down hike near Guagua Pichincha. After the hike, we drove to the Marascal district in Quito, where Rafael’s shop is, to walk around and have dinner. A ride to the airport was arranged for after dinner, so we had the evening to be tourists.

(more…)

Ecuador Day 6 – Rucu Pichincha (15,413 ft)

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

Guagua and Rucu Pichincha Map
The Map

TeleferiQo in Quito
Riding the Gondola (TeleferiQo) in Quito

Rucu Pichincha: A Lovely Ridge Hike
The Approach. It starts on the ridge, then it climbs ever steepening terrain until the last wee bit is 3rd class. The summit is in the clouds, left of frame!

Tilden Stepping up on Rucu Pichincha
Third Class Section…Most Fun bit, but unfortunately only 10 minutes!

Rafael and Tilden on Rucu Pichincha
Rafael and Tilden Enjoying The Summit

For our 3rd mountain, we climbed Rucu Pichincha. It is a unique ascent because it is very close to Quito and the trip starts with a ride on the Gondola! From where we got off on the Gondola, it took us 2 hours and 50 minutes to summit and just under 2 hours to get back.

It’s a great half day acclimatization. While the navigation and hiking is relatively easy during the ridge traverse to the peak, the ascending of the peak itself is not for the beginner. There are cliffs surrounding the entire base of the mountain. Thus, it’s really important to go with a guide on this mountain, or be in the company of an experienced mountaineer who is already familiar with the peak. Clouds are pervasive threats to navigation and the terrain at the top is steep and chossy!

(more…)