Hiking

Life lessons from hiking

As inspired by a solo-hiking trip in East Tennessee on Saturday. When you come to a fork in the road, and one sign points to “scenic overlook” and the other points to “short cut,” take the short cut.  There’s a chance that the scenic overlook will be spectacular – but then again, it may just…

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Only in Montrose

… could I go from this, to this, to this: I attended the Wedding of the Century on Saturday night, complete with butterflies in the mountain air and champagne toasting. Since then, we have been hiking, eating, sleeping, seeing friends, reading, and drinking lots of coffee. It’s been the best vacation ever. When I was…

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Twisted slinky legs

On Saturday, Julie and I felt due for an adventure – one that would get us out of the concrete and steel of our harsh city living – so I picked her up at 7:30am and we drove an hour east of Nashville. We located the completely unpeopled trailhead for Bearwaller Gap, and just walked…

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Little Miss Redcloud & Sunshine

I figured that since I had already climbed one 14er this week, I might as well do two more. In one day. Yesterday, I summited both Redcloud Peak (14,034′) and Sunshine Peak (14,001′ – hey, when it counts, it counts – just don’t knock any rocks off the top). My dad and I met up…

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Bloody knuckles and rock stars

Some days are very normal, basic, routine. Today was not one of those days. And actually, it deserves a long, thorough blog. We’re pretty good friends by now – I hope you’ll read until the end. This morning at 5am, my dad, our dear friend Dan Clader, and I left for Mt. Sneffels (elevation 14,150…

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Climb every mountain

With the recent purchase of both new hiking boots AND new running shoes, I woke up this morning not sure which pair I should break in today. But then I remembered my CamelBak that was also waiting to be inaugurated, and since I love that oh-so-satisfactory click it makes when the mouthpiece magnetically sticks to…

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