7 minute read
KINGDOM NOTES
Breckenridge residents are always on the hunt for the best gear and apparel to aid in their winter adventures. What's better than a great product? A great product made in Breckenridge, that's what! Here are a few you can pick up to aid you in your adventures:
Magical Scraps
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RMU is an employee-owned Breckenridge company committed to producing sustainable outdoor products with uncompromised quality supported by a Lifetime Warranty. Specifically designed for trail sports, this Core Pack 15L is built for the journey and adventure. Durable but light(er) 420d nylon fabric with weatherproofing lasts a lifetime. Reinforced tool organization fits a reservoir, tools, extra jacket, and first aid kit. It features an aluminum perimeter frame and RMU signature CNC buckles & hardware Breathable vest-style harness securely, carries any load and easily fits a laptop for day’s inbetween adventures. There is a removable waistbelt for shorter rides and easy to carry while traveling light. A fleecelined pocket brings scratch-free protection to
Alex Fitz Fine Jewelry
Alex Fitzgerald designs unique, superior quality jewelry that lasts for generations while utilizing a transparent and honest supply chain. She sources from suppliers that care about what they do, the people involved, and the environment. Alex Fitz jewelry is made of recycled 18k gold, and precious stones sourced from companies that have complete confidence in their products being conflict-free. Alex produces her brilliant jewelry pieces out of her home and custom creates dream rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more. Alex also recycles heirloom pieces into something new and modern too. www.alexfitz.com
Handwarmer Koozies
Keep your hands warm and easily hold a beverage while you're out at your favorite Breck Restaurant, Distillery or Brewery or gathered around the firepit with those you love. This cozy Koozy is perfect for cans, bottles, and glasses, with a closed bottom so the container won't slip out.! Hand-knit in Blue River and sold at Kaleidoscopes, choose from several design and color options! 226 S. Main Street, Breckenridge
Peak10 Skin
PEAK10 SKIN is a skincare line that elevates skin health and hydration to new heights with pure, clean, active ingredients. PEAK 10 SKIN is the newest in body health created by Connie Elder, an accomplished Breckenridge skincare executive with a special gift for helping women love the skin they are in. 505 S. Main Street Station, Breckenridge
SKIERS' BEST FRIEND'S
Skiers’ Best Friends Avalanche Working Dogs of Colorado: A picture book with brief stories behind each colorful image will bring a smile to all ages. The 104 page book was put together with beautiful photography and a brief backstory on each image. It reflects the dedication of our ski patrollers who handle/train these intelligent fourlegged first responders. www.scottbroc.com
A Breck Priority
"Glory of Summer" by Liam Doran
An early wakeup call yields a plethora of flowers and warm morning light for long-time local photographer Liam Doran. To get this shot Liam used a SIGMA 14-24 A lens on the Canon 7DMKII camera. 1/2500 sec. f/9 at ISO 800. Follow Liams global adventures at @liam_doran_outdoors.
Trails Are Treasures
BY SHAUNA FARNELL
Follow This Formula When You Take to the Dirt
Trails are treasures, offering endless pathways to adventure – more than 200 miles of them in and around Breckenridge – and direct byways to becoming one with nature. As such, we aim to keep our trails as pristine as possible, preserving their beauty and simplicity for future adventurers. In order to protect the trails and the plants and wildlife that call them home as well as respect fellow trail users, we stick to a few simple guidelines every time we hit the dirt.
Who goes first?
The most widespread rule in trail etiquette is that anyone coming uphill has the right of way. Hikers going downhill must yield to hikers going uphill, downhill bikers yield to uphill bikers, etc. If someone is moving faster than you and asking to come by, step aside. Everyone on the trail must yield to equestrians. Again, communication is key.
Furry Friends
Keep dogs leashed and pack out their poop! You may have the friendliest, most responsive pooch in the world. You still need to keep him/her leashed. Off-leash dogs – even the nicest ones – present numerous hazards on the trail. They get into scraps with leashed dogs and wildlife, cause bike accidents and damage plants when they wander off-trail. Also, always pick up your dog’s waste. If Fido’s business happens off-trail, you still have to pick it up. Also, storing the poop bag on the side of the trail with the plan to pick it up later is not acceptable. Being a responsible dog owner means picking up and carrying poop bags until you can dispose of them properly.
Don’t smoke
The trails and trailheads are not the places to light up. Especially in the summer and fall, we in Breckenridge (like everywhere in Colorado and throughout the West) are in the red zone for wildfires. Believe it or not, all it takes is a tiny spark or piece of ash to start a massive blaze.
Don’t bring your external speaker
While we all love a soundtrack for our activities, save it for the hot tub or the apres deck party. Subjecting everyone on the trail to your jams is inconsiderate. Some studies even suggest music from external speakers disrupts wildlife patterns. Moose, deer and countless other species bed down with their young in the brush near trails and in addition to alarming them with your tunes, you are also drowning out potential alerts (thunder, barking dogs, etc.) as well as sounds we all want to hear when out in nature: birds chirping, wind in the trees, babbling creeks and rivers.
Be kind
It doesn’t matter how you’re
enjoying the trail – by foot, bike or board of some sort – the key word is enjoy. We are out there to have a good time. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t say hello or at least smile to other trail users.
Communicate and share nicely
When there are individuals on the trail whom you’d like to pass, slow down as you approach, be sure to give them a friendly heads up if you’re coming up behind them and nicely make your wishes known. Something along the lines of “can we sneak by?” usually does the trick.
Leave no trace
Whatever you bring with you – snack wrappers, orange peels, tissue, toilet paper, etc. – must also leave with you. There is no “it’s biodegradable” exception. Dropped food or other biodegradable materials should not be left behind. Plan ahead and prepare Familiarize with your route in advance as well as the weather forecast and trail conditions so you can dress appropriately and avoid trails that are potentially muddy. Breckenridge Recreation Center (breckenridgerecreation. com) keeps an updated list of local trail conditions.
Stay on the trail
Cutting switchbacks, avoiding mud puddles and stepping offtrail for any reason ruins the trail – widening it, destroying surrounding foliage and causing erosion. Go through mud, not around it. Don’t approach or feed wildlife If you see animals near the trail, watch and photograph them from a safe distance. Don’t leave crumbs behind. Squirrels, birds and other species that consume human food can get sick, die and at the very least, forget how to forage for their own food to survive.
Leave what you find
Yes, the wildflowers are stunning around here. Please enjoy them with your eyes and nose only. Do not touch them or take them with you, not even one. If everyone on the trail took just one, there would be none.
Give back
Nothing shows your gratitude for the trails more than a few hours of volunteering. Trail projects are a great excuse to spend time outside, get a meaningful workout and bond with like-minded trail enthusiasts. Check the calendar at Friends of Breckenridge Trails for upcoming projects.
The Path Less Traveled Begins At Mountain Outfitters
We are the Breckenridge headquarters for human powered backcountry travel. Specializing In Alpine Touring, Ski Mountaineering, Nordic, and Snow Shoeing. We offer a complete assortments of gear and clothing to maximize fun and safety in the mountains Retail - Repairs
Family owned & operated since 1985
