Each spring Wendel rolls into Leadville with a beat up horse trailer and a wry smile, ready to do a job that few could do in his place.  Wendel’s mules brave rough trails, steep exposed switchbacks, and heavy loads to get essential gear to our most remote basecamps.  Here are a few photos of our most dedicated volunteers in action.

The horse trailer at the Holy Cross staging site

Prepping the mules for the trip to base camp

Wendel leads a mule

The mules on the trail

 

Looking down on the mules on a ridge

Enroute to Base Camp at Chicago Basin

 

Eli Allan

Hello, my name is Eli Allan. This year I am working with the Bierstadt crew. This will be my fourth season working with CFI, having previously constructed a new route up Sunlight peak, as well as a rerouting of the Half Moon trail up Mount of the Holy Cross and work with the San Luis crew last year. When I am not building trail with CFI I am a photographer, a climber, a skier, and a full time traveler.