Mt. Elbert – East Ridge
by CMC Trip Leader Bill Blazek This was a Colorado Mountain Club trip with 10 members. This exursion was training for the CMC’s 2015 Year of the Mountaineer expedition to Cerro de Aconcaqua, 22,841. Eight of the 10 are on … Continued
Only Half Done
Another Quote from Aristotle: “Well begun is half done.” It’s been a busy two-to-three weeks for team Rocky Mountain Sourdoughs, as we prepare for Denali. The bulk of the team has been out on a few hut trips. I have … Continued
Ski Injury Free: Make More Turns
An interview with physical therapist Patrick Naylor What are you seeing in terms of the prevalence of ski injuries in recent years? We’ve seen a 50 percent decrease in the number of injuries in skiers since the 1970s, due in … Continued
Eatting Your Way to the Top
By Chris Case The saying goes, “You are what you eat.” But, perhaps it should be, “You should eat for what you are.” Are you a hiker? Are you a track sprinter? Especially when it comes to athletics—including hiking up … Continued
Suggested Hut Trips
By Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan A day of quad-burning Nordic skiing through Colorado’s snowy scenery, followed by a night kicking back in front of a fire in a backcountry haven? We can’t resist, either. Here are a few of the state’s best … Continued
The Habit of Excellence
Aristotle wrote, “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, … Continued
Advocating for Human-Powered Recreation on Capitol Hill
CMC Conservation Manager Julie Mach recently returned from a trip to Washington DC where she represented the club and the Backcountry Snowsports Initiative alongside Outdoor Alliance (OA) recreation groups from around the country. The two-day event included advocacy workshops and … Continued
Climbing Ouray’s Mammoth Icicles
By Anne Martin Combining weight-shifting technique and strength, the climbers ascend gracefully and quickly, occasionally resting on their holds or the ropes to shake blood flow back into their frozen hands. The canyon echoes with the sharp sounds of metal … Continued
On Setbacks
You may recall from a previous blog post that I’ve had some knee surgeries: three of them, to be exact. I first tore my right ACL in November of 2007, with surgery happening early the next year. That first repair … Continued
“Free Your Heel and Your Mind Will Follow”
Ah…Finally! The stressful work week has ended and it is time for some much needed R&R in the backcountry. Unfortunately, you strap on your skis only to realize they too are tying you down. Is it too much to ask … Continued
Scale the Ice
You’ve seen it in movies and magazines; but you have yet to experience the thrill for yourself. Why? You are an adventure junkie, so isn’t it time to reach new heights and try ice climbing? Ice climbing is great for … Continued
The Secret Stash
By Greg Mears Every backcountry skier remembers the day they discover a new area to ski— copious amounts of mental energy and calories have been expended in the pursuit of that next “secret stash.” Some will spend hours poring over … Continued