Local Weather

Snowmass to East Snowmass, a 3 Pass Loop

It was another good one, and not just due to the fact that we had perfect weather, but that we put together a loop of trails and passes we had all seen individually many times before, but had never linked up in this fashion. It came together after Christy, Neal and I were planning a [...]

It’s all downhill from here…

“Thirty-seven.” That was his answer to my question as to when he thought he had reached his top form, and after which he first noticed his speed, stamina and general physical condition begin to deteriorate– in other words, when things started going downhill. At the time, I didn’t think it to be an inconsiderate question, [...]

Lake Ann and West Apostle

The wilderness rehabilitation continues and for the second week in a row, we managed to escape the summer crowds and find a little peace and quiet. Well, it was quiet at least with regards to the lack of people, but the regular rolls of thunder and sheets of rain against the wall of the tent [...]

Wilderness Rehab

We’re cresting the hump of the summer season, that busy time of the year when the crowds around town and the craziness at work can wear you thin if you’re not careful. So with no big events and an open weekend, we opted for a short backpack/peak climb to get away from it all, if [...]

Four Passes on the Fourth

On Saturday of July 4th weekend, Lissa, Ted and I hit the Four Pass Loop, one of our favorite long runs through the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness. We started from Maroon Lake and ran the loop counter clockwise, tackling Buckskin Pass first. With the Hardrock 100 only days away, Ted planned to come along for just [...]

Peaking?

The snow is just about gone from Bell Mountain, which as unscientific as it may sound, pretty accurately predicts when the creeks and rivers around Aspen are nearing peak flow. This morning it was verified. We found further support for the Bell Mountain Theory up on Independence Pass where the Roaring Fork was living up [...]