The Many “Whys”

Five in the morning rolls around and my alarm goes off. It’s cold, all of my clothes for the day are stuffed in my sleeping bag with me, and I now have to go through the struggle of putting on my many layers without feeling the bite of the mountain air. It doesn’t...

Getting Your Hands Dirty

As I write this, in my tent, my hands are cut, scarred, and dirty. They will stay like this for several days after I get back to town. Even after dipping them in the creek, using hand sanitizer, and even showers, they are dirty. It is what people in my field, trail...

Sharing the Clouds in the Sky

The most puzzling thing to me, at times, seems to be our capacity as humans to do great things and to do immense harm. My summer on Quandary has been witness to the strength of individuals overcoming obstacles both personal and external, like summiting a mountain with...

Be Good Guests to Our Wildlife Hosts

Fourteeners hold many wonders: vast views of mountain tops, scenes of alpine lakes, amazing forests filled with spruces, pines and aspens, and also awesome wildlife. You may see elk, deer, moose, bear, birds and small mammals (squirrels, chipmunks, mice, etc.)  below...

Are You Cut Out For Trail Work?

I’m sure that over the course of this exciting season, you, the loyal blog reader, have been continuously wowed and impressed by the rugged and sexy stories of trail crew! You’ve probably been questioning yourself for months. “Who are these magical...

Frolicking with Finnigan: A Pet Owner’s Guide to the Alpine

Every year, as more people hit the trails in search of the stunning views and challenging treks available on Colorado’s Fourteeners, pets are brought along to share the experience. Hiking with dogs offers many rewarding moments, as well as a multitude of difficulties...