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UPDATESWhat we've been doing

  • Seasonal Trail Positions Closed  – March 7, 2013

    CFI is no longer accepting applications for 2013 seasonal positions. If still interested in becoming a member of our 2014 seasonal trail crew, please check … Read More >>

  • Seasonal Trail Positions Open!  – January 9, 2013

    Colorado Fourteeners Initiative will have an expanded field presence in 2013. We are looking for 16 enthusiastic, hard-working seasonal staff leaders/members to complete these projects … Read More >>

  • Everyone Poops…Even in the Woods  – November 9, 2012

    The end of the season is here. Basecamp is packed out and it’s time to clean the “groover” buckets. For an extra hundred bucks, Andy … Read More >>

  • Finding the Word to Sum Up a Season  – November 2, 2012

    What does it feel like to open 3,300 feet of new, durably constructed, sustainably located trail? No one word can describe that specific moment. The … Read More >>

24 Hours on Holy Cross

Posted on August 10, 2012 by admin

8:58 p.m.: Try to fall asleep. Still too bright outside…

9:23 p.m.: Asleep.

Sometime Later: Awaken. Startled at the sound of a rock slide on the nearby ridge. Glad we are not camped too close!

4:32 a.m.: Alarm goes off. Not even close to being ready to get up. Snooze!

4:37 a.m.: Alarm goes off. Again. Ready or not, it’s time to get up.

4:42 a.m.: Stumble in a daze up to the kitchen with my headlamp illuminating the way.

4:46 a.m.: Make lunch. Believe it or not, making two PBJs is tough at this hour.

4:51 a.m.: Brush my teeth. Also a struggle…

5:00 a.m.: Leave camp and start hiking. Still dark.

5:27 a.m.: Arrive at our stretch circle spot.

5:31-5:51 a.m.: Stretch and answer goofy questions.

5:52 a.m.: The hike continues…

5:59 a.m.: The sun is just coming over the ridge and I remember why I enjoy doing this again. Beautiful!

6:27 a.m.: Arrive at our work site. Approximately 12,800 feet (or so).

6:31 a.m.: While eating a banana and looking at the early morning sun light up the Gore Range, I again realize why I love my job.

6:45 a.m.: Start work. Discuss objectives for the day ahead with Megan.

7:03 a.m.: First hiker of the day passes through and asks, “Are you guys building an escalator to the top?”

7:37 a.m.: I spot a pika licking someone’s sweaty jacket and quickly chase it off.

7:43 a.m.: Move large rock.

7:59 a.m.: Move another large rock.

8:12 a.m.: First cloud of the day pops up.

9:45 a.m.: Lunch.

10:19 a.m.: Move another large rock.

10:52 a.m.: Clouds are building.

11:30 a.m.: Break.

11:59 a.m.: Looking like a storm before too long.

12:37 a.m.: Cache tools. Storm is closing in.

12:50 a.m.: Start hiking down to basecamp.

1:37 a.m.: Arrive back at camp just before it pours.

1:44-4:06 p.m.: Rain.

6:23 p.m.: Cook dinner. Quinoa with chicken sausage, veggies and sriracha.

7:07 p.m.: Dish duty.

7:23 p.m.: A deer creeping around camp scares me when it appears quickly from behind a rock.

8:02 p.m.: Headed for my tent.

8:27 p.m.: Been reading for a few minutes and hoping to fall asleep soon. 4:30 a.m. is only 8 hours away.

8:53 p.m.: Asleep. I think.

Tom Cronin

Hey, my name is Tom Cronin. Originally from western New York I have been in Colorado on and off for about five and a half years. I first moved to Breckenridge in 2007 to pursue my passion for skiing and ever since it has been very difficult to leave. Colorado has endless opportunity for outdoor recreation and I try to spend as much time outside as possible fly fishing, hiking, backpacking, climbing, etc.