Elevation Outdoors May 2018

LYONS GOES WILD | NATIVES OUTDOORS | CLASSIC RIVER TRIPS MAY 2018

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THE 2018 MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL GUIDE

FREE TIBET | Te a with a l e a d i ng s c h o l a r o n T i b eta n r e s i s ta nc e

IMMIGRANTS AT HOME IN THE WILD FI NDIN G FA MILY I N C H ICAG O B AS IN

THE BEST MUSIC, SPORTS, LIBATIONS, FILM, FOOD, YOGA, WATER AND ART HAPPENINGS IN THE ROCKIES

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SUSPENSION

LAB

SILLY SEASON THIS JOYFUL, COMMUNITY VIBE PUTS ARISE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST OF MUST-DO COLORADO FESTIVALS. SEE PAGE 23. photo courtesy ARISE

CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS FOR

CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

• In-House Service = Faster Turnaround Time • One on One Consultations • Full Rebuilds • Personalized Tunes • Nitrogen Charging Services • Dropper Post Rebuilds • Basic Maintenance

7 EDITOR’S LETTER

Leave what you find—it’s a simple principle in the wild, so why is it so often hard for us to do?

8 QUICK HITS

Tips for hiking with your dog, Bhutan’s Snowman Trek, Gross Reservoir’s disappearing trails, insider info on Lyons, stargazing, ear buds and more...

14 FLASHPOINT

Meet immigants and refugees who have fled persecution and war and found new hope and a home here in the outdoor spaces of Colorado.

17 HOT SPOT

The water is high and it’s time to head out on our favorite Colorado floats.

19 NUMEROLOGY

GOLDEN BIKE SHOP

722 WASHINGTON AVE, GOLDEN CO 80401 303-278-6545 | GOLDENBIKESHOP.COM

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Native Americans need to be heard when it comes to America’s public lands.

M AY 2 0 1 8 21 STRAIGHT TALK

Universtiy of Coloado Professor Carole McGranahan speaks out for freedom in Tibet.

49 HEAR THIS

The bands you must hear this festival season.

51 THE ROAD

Two brothers reconnect in the San Juan’s high peaks.

54 ELWAYVILLE

Peter Kray rhapsodizes on taking music too seriously.

FEATURES 23 THE 2018 ROCKY MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL GUIDE

Our big, sprawling compendium of the best music, sport, beer, wine, film, food, water and art happenings across the Rocky Mountains is here.

Inside, we give you seven months’ worth of happenings with all the lowdown on how you can make the most of the coming festival season.

44 FESTY GEAR

We present the best swag to help you cope with long, sweaty days of other human beings—from a soft cooler to butt wipes.

47 FESTIVAL CHARACTERS

You know that guy, right?

The one you see at every festval? Paddy O’Connell runs down all of the guys you know all too well.

ON THE COVER We have been lucky to have Kansas Citybased illustrator Kevin Howdeshell, who works with his wife Kristin as The Brave Union, dreaming up artistic interpretations for our festival guide covers for the past decade. illustration by Kevin Howdeshell thebraveunion.com

DAVID MACKEY TRIUMPHS | SALIDA SECRETS | BEST SPRING BEERS APRIL 2018

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WANT MORE? CATCH UP ON PAST ISSUES, YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS AND DAILY ONLINE CONTENT AT ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM

FIND YOUR PATH

I T ’ S T I M E TO H I T T H E S I N G L E T R AC K .

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DIRTY SECRET

Gravel Is the Hot Trend

3,000 MILES ON THE GREAT DIVIDE HOW ALLEN LIM AND SKRATCH LABS REWROTE THE RULES

HYDRATION, TRANSFORMED

The great outdoors just got greater. The Seeker™ is HydraPak’s ultra-light, durable water storage system for camping, backpacking, you name it. It packs down to the size of a fist, attaches to your pack or hangs from a tree. You can freeze it to use as an ice pack or fill it with hot water to keep you warm. Katadyn® BeFree™ filtration compatible.

Find one at a dealer near you hydrapak.com

CO N T R I B U TO R S

E DI TOR-I N -CHI E F

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

doug@elevationoutdoors.com

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WHAT SONG WILL BE YOUR PERSONAL THEME MUSIC THIS SUMMER?

PRE SI DE N T

BLAKE DEMASO

blake@elevationoutdoors.com PUBLI SHE R

ELIZABETH O’CONNELL

elizabeth@elevationoutdoors.com ART DI RE CTOR

LAUREN WORTH

lauren@elevationoutdoors.com EDITORIAL + PRODUCTION M AN AG I N G E DI TOR

CAMERON MARTINDELL

cameron@elevationoutdoors.com SE N I OR E DI TOR

CHRIS KASSAR

chris@elevationoutdoors.com COPY ASSASSI N

TRACY ROSS

E DI TOR-AT-LARG E

PETER KRAY I N T E RN

HARPER BROWN ASSOCI AT E CRE AT I VE DI RE CTOR

MEGAN JORDAN

megan@elevationoutdoors.com CON T RI BUT I N G E DI TORS

AARON BIBLE, ADAM CHASE, ROB COPPOLILLO, LIAM DORAN, JAMES DZIEZYNSKI, HUDSON LINDENBERGER, SONYA LOONEY, CHRIS VAN LEUVEN CON T RI BUT I N G WRI T E RS

JASON BLEVINS, KATIE BOUÉ, JEDD FERRIS, KATRINA KOPECK, PATTY MALESH, ADAM MITCHELL, BRYCE MITCHELL, PADDY O’CONNELL, SONYA PEVZNER, HEATHER RIDGE ADVERTISING + BUSINESS SE N I OR ACCOUN T E XE CUT I VE

MARTHA EVANS

martha@elevationoutdoors.com ACCOUN T E XE CUT I VE

CONOR SEDMAK

conor@elevationoutdoors.com BUSI N E SS M AN AG E R

MELISSA GESSLER

melissa@elevationoutdoors.com CI RCULAT I ON M AN AG E R

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN The Beastie Boys’ “Make Some Noise” feels right these days.

ELIZABETH O'CONNELL

Santigold’s “Lights Out” or “Riot's Gone.” She's such a badass.

CONOR SEDMAK

You’ll find me yodeling Railroad Earth's “Mighty River” en route to my ramblin' times in bluegrass season.

LAUREN WORTH

If "Get Up Offa That Thing” on repeat indicates how awesome this summer is going to be, bring it on!

CAMERON MARTINDELL

I just introduced my daughter to Johnny Cash and she loves it.

BRYCE MITCHELL

Gary Clark Jr.’s “Come Together.” It’s a positive and uplifting song that we need today.

ADAM MITCHELL

As I relax on long drives through the Southwest, I'll be listening to ARIZONA’s "Oceans Away."

CHRIS KASSAR “This Is Me!”

KAITY VANCE

kvance@elevationoutdoors.com DIGITAL MEDIA ON LI N E DI RE CTOR

CRAIG SNODGRASS

craig@elevationoutdoors.com DI G I TAL M AN AG E R

TYRA SUTAK

tyra@elevationoutdoors.com

ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM 2510 47th Street Unit 209 Boulder, Colorado 80301 (303) 449-1560

SONYA PEVZNER

“Havana” by by Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug. Even a white girl like me can move my hips to this!

PADDY O’CONNELL

“Loudspeaker” by MUNA

P U B L I S H E D BY ©2018 Summit Publishing, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SUMMIT

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PUBLISHING

PETER KRAY

“All Along the Watchtower”—the Hendrix version.

E D I TO R ' S L E T T E R

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LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

This one principle of Leave No Trace ethics can be a guide to how we live a better life and leave a better planet behind us.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

M

y big introduction to a life and career in the outdoors came on a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) trip kayaking down the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico. Alongside learning how to roll a sea kayak (not easy), read the wind at dawn and identify sea birds, we practiced the basic, beautiful principles of Leave No Trace. This ethic, of being as soft as possible on the land and wildlife and ecosystems, resonated with me.

I admit I was horrified at first by the idea of using smooth stones instead of toilet paper (hey, don’t knock it unit you try it). But other important lessons stuck with me. You plan ahead so you don’t make a mess or end up damaging the environment. You travel and camp light. You don’t need a bonfire in the backcoutnry. You are considerate of wildlife and of other people enjoying the rare chance to be out and away in the quickly shrinking wild. You leave what you find. All these ethics go beyond camping and climbing: Follow the respect and restraint inherent in them, and you can navigate a path through the world that ensures the world itself thrives.

I must confess, I was a bit cavalier about leaving what I found. I had always been a collector of treasures I found on the beach where I grew up: nautilus shells, blue beach glass,

ETHICAL CONNECTIONS THESE 17 RUNNERS TRACED THE ROUTES OF NATIVE MESSENGERS TO RETHINK HOW WE RESPECT THE LAND. SEE PAGE 19. photo by JOHNIE GALL

antique bottlecaps. In the woods, I would pick up rocks that spoke to me and the occassional arrowhead. Later, when I became a wilderness ranger and a teacher of Leave No Trace, I continued to justify my collecting, even if it went against that principle.

Then one day, I was working for the Forest Service and hiking in the deep backcountry of Montana’s Gravelly Range with two co-workers, and something sitting there in the grass along the side of the trail caught my eye. I grabbed it, looked at it: It was a long, perfect spear point, the most beautiful artifact I had ever found. I shoved it in my pocket, hiding it from Chris and Tim. Slowly, it ate at me. Why did I act with such greed?

When we stopped for lunch I showed it to them—my treasure (later I would learn it was, in fact, a 10,000-year-old Clovis point)— embarassed that I had hidden it. I told them I didn't think I could keep it. Instead of agreeing with me, they immediately asked if they could have it.

Tim eventually argued it should be in a museum. Chris, after warning me about the bad karma of keeping it, said that, well, he would take it if I didn’t want it.

No. No. It did not belong to us, or even to the glass and dust of a museum.

We take so much from the wild. Our culture has taken so much from those who once lived in these mountains that I don't even know the peaks by their true names. No. I took the spearhead and threw it far away. It had already given me so much.

That lesson is one we all need to learn—in the wild and beyond. We don’t have to keep taking. We can live with wilderness, with better ethics. We can leave what we find.

M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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QUICK HITS

HOW HIGH IS THE WATER?

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HIKE WITH THE HOUND

The Gross Reservoir Expansion Project, which is set to start in late 2018, will change the dynamic of a favorite Front Range escape—so get there ASAP…and check back for new trails after the water rises.

Follow these tips to romp with your dog out on the trail—and be responsible about it.

PUMP PUP UP

The sun’s bright and the trails are calling, but before you head out into the wild with your best friend, make sure that pup is well prepared. Dogs, just like humans, tend to go a little soft during the long winter days. Brush up on obedience training—or contact the Humane Society (humanesociety.org) for classes—as well trail etiquette during hikes near home, and be sure that you and your hound yield to all other oncoming individuals when on the trail.

Use short hikes to build stamina, and to reintroduce your pup to a hiking pack if you are planning on using one.

JUST A FEW MILES OUTSIDE OF BOULDER,

Colorado, Gross Reservoir has provided miles of shoreline for running, hiking, camping and paddling since it was created with the construction of a dam back in 1954. But Denver Water plans to expand the reservoir by raising the dam an additional 131 feet to increase water storage capacity and system reliability—a project set to begin in late 2018. Large infrastructure projects such as this one require balancing the needs of a growing population with the conservation of natural areas that bring people here in the first place.

Meaning that the reservoir will change and lose some favorite trails, but the agency does have plans to reroute existing paths. Here’s how you can enjoy the place during the process.

FIT THE PACK

If your dog will be carrying a pack on the trail, make sure it fits snugly around his chest, won’t slip or chafe, and that you don’t overload it—best guidelines are a maximum of 25 percent of the dog’s body weight.

A handle on top is nice for helping smaller dogs over hazards.

CARRY EXTRA WATER

Make sure you have the proper hiking essentials, either in your dog’s pack, and/or your own. Water is a must.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends a minimum of one ounce of water per pound of your dog’s body weight per day.

Along with water bottles, you should carry a collapsible water bowl for your pooch (it can serve double duty as a food bowl). A good rule of thumb to remember is that if you are hungry or thirsty, then your dog is, too.

THE DOGGY EXTRAS

Don’t forget a small first aid kit complete with supplies to deal with a cut paw (antiseptic, bandages and a bootie). Many Colorado trails require

BEFORE:

a leash, so you should have one with you at all times, especially if your dog is not voice controlled. Anticipate weather changes by having a small jacket if rain or cold are forecast, or a cooling collar on hot days. Lastly make sure you have a large supply of poop bags to bring out your dogs crap, it is good for the environment and follows the Leave No Trace ethos. If you are worried about the smell, toss in a few Ziploc bags to seal it up.

GET OUT THERE

Most hikes in the Front Range are dog friendly. Some of our favorite spots include Golden Gate Canyon State Park (cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/ parks/GoldenGateCanyon), with its relatively quiet 35 miles of trails

TECHNOLOGY

DOG DAY AFTERNOON THERE ARE FEW BETTER PLEASURES THAN A HIGH-MOUNTAIN HIKE WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND. JUST REMEMBER HOW MUCH YOUR CANINE COMPANION RELIES ON YOU AND PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DOG’S NEEDS. photo by HUDSON LINDENBERGER

with open meadows, ponderosa pine forests and rock formations. The Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail in Pike National Forest (fs.usda.gov/psicc) dishes out a moderate four-mile long hike to two mountain lakes. The Catamount Trail in Green Mountain Falls (also in Pike National Forest) offers a longer six-mile hike that leads to expansive meadows that fill with wildflowers.

—Hudson Lindenberger

GEAR WE LOVE

This high mountain lake spans 440 acres and is surrounded by primitive campsites and many miles of singletrack trails. The little-trafficked South Boulder Creek Inlet Trail, for example, has some great terrain for hikers and trail runners along the southern shore of the reservoir.

Passing through trees and ending up on the sandy shore, it’s a great choice on a hot day. It’s also going to disappear under the new reservoir footprint, enjoy this trail while you can.

While the Forsythe Canyon trailhead will not be affected, the pleasant Forsythe Falls found along this trail will be inundated once Gross Reservoir is expanded, so it’s another spot to check out before it’s gone.

DURING:

Construction will take place in various phases, with Denver Water currently

BOOKS

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STRONGBACK LOW G RECLINER

100 THINGS TO SEE IN THE NIGHT SKY

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Navigate the night sky with this user-friendly guide by Den Regas, the astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory since 2000 and the cohost of the show “Star Gazers” since 2010. The guide book clearly clearly defines key celestial sights— from planets to galaxies—and teaches you how to find them after dark. $16 | SIMONANDSCHUSTER.COM

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STRONGBACKCHAIR.COM

working on an interim recreation plan that will go into effect as soon as 2019.

Early work would limit public access to the south side of the reservoir. Under this plan, access to trails located around the inlet, boat ramp and south side of the dam would no longer be open to the public for the duration of the seven-year construction timeline.

Paddlers will still be able to access the water, however—though the current boat ramp will likely shift locations to the North Shore of Gross Reservoir.

AFTER:

With the expansion of the reservoir, which is anticipated to increase water

LYONS, COLORADO With its up-and-coming foodie vibe, local flair and willingness to embrace the outdoors, this home to a summer’s worth of festivals is worth some extra exploration.

THIS SMALL, SWEET, FAMILY FRIENDLY

town was decimated by the 2013 500-year flood—but that hasn’t stopped locals from rebuilding the place and transforming it into the biggest little town in the Rockies each summer. Lyons draws thousands of visitors thanks to Planet Bluegrass’ Rockygrass and Folks festivals (see page 23) and well as the notorious Burning Can Festival at the Lyons Outdoor Games (oskarblues.com/ event/burning-can-colorado), winner of both the Best Multisport Festival and Rowdiest Festival in EO’s 2018 Best of the Rockies reader poll. You don’t have to wait for a festival to explore Lyons, however. To that point, here are our insider tips on how to get the most out of this little Front Range town that packs a big punch.

EAT Whether you are looking for a quick bite on the way to an adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park or if you are seeking a spot to settle down

supply to the Front Range by 77,000 acre-feet, the water level will rise an additional 124 feet. This would put about 424 acres of surrounding land under the new reservoir footprint.

Denver Water plans on relocating trails affected above the new highwater line. An additional three miles of shoreline will also be added, providing new trails, views and vistas by the project’s completion in 2025.

For more information and current updates on the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project head to denverwater.org/project-updates/ gross-reservoir-expansion-project —Heather Ridge

LIGHTING IT UP THE BURNING CAN FESTIVAL AT THE LYONS OUTDOOR GAMS IN JUNE DRAWS BIKERS LOOKING TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE. photo by EDDIE CLARK

with music and beer, Lyons has you covered. For tasty tacos and authentic margs, head to Mojo (mojotaqueria. com), where street-style tacos brim with authentic flavors. The brains behind craft beer in a can, Oskar Blues Brewery (oskarbluesfooderies. com), serves eclectic fare—ranging from spicy hot wings to a gooey chicken rueben—alongside an extensive beer list that includes everything from a Mexican-style Beerito to the burly (eight-percent ABV, 30 IBUs Old Chub Scottish ale.

For fancy food in a flip-flop friendly environment, head to Lyons’ Fork (lyonsfork.com) for dinner daily and brunch on weekends. If you just need a strong cup of joe and a prehike pastry, line up at The Stone Cup (thestonecup.com), Lyons’ self proclaimed “Front porch.” This quirky, sustainably focused cafe boasts a bevy of baked goods, breakfast fare and all in a kid friendly, casual environment, as well as occassional live music and dog friendly outdoor seating.

SLEEP If ever ever dreamed of selling everything and living in a trailer, WeeCasa (weecasa.com) is the perfect M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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2018 FEATURED SUMMER EVENTS

COLORADO’S

FITNESS IN THE PARK June 17 – August 26

HIGH-NOTE THURSDAYS June 14 – August 23

Top Adventure Town

SWITCHBACK MUSIC FESTIVAL June 16 – June 17

MOUNTAIN BIKE CAPITAL USA™ WEEKEND June 22-24

BLUES FROM THE TOP June 23-24

RENDEZVOUS RUN FOR INDEPENDENCE June 30

LANCE GUTERSOHN’S 4TH JULY CELEBRATION July 4

3RD ANNUAL TEQUILA & TACOS July 7

36TH ANNUAL WINTER PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL July 21- 22

With over 600 miles of trails for hiking, biking & sightseeing and events every day, surely your adventurous side will find something to do.

Good thing it’s right here in your backyard, only 67 miles from Denver.

ADVENTURE WEEKEND July 28-29

WINTER PARK BEER FESTIVAL Aug 4

WINTER PARK UNCORKED Aug 18

playWinterPark.com | 800.903.7275

For full listing of festivals, events & specials, visit playWinterPark.com

your source for bikes in summit county SPECIALIZED and santa cruz demo fleet full Service tune shop

Join us for weekly group rides! find us on facebook and instragram to keep up with sales and events

701 E Anemone Trail Dillon, CO // 970.468.5687 // @wilderness_sports // facebook.com/wildernesssports 10

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place to test your van-life constitution.

This tiny home resort on Lyons’ river bend property offers 20-plus tiny homes that can sleep from one to six people. Staying at WeeCasa is the perfect opportunity to keep things simple. More fun still, the design of each home features a unique theme.

Guests can pick from choices that run the gamut from a whimsical Hobbit Hole or a Moroccan-inspired Lily Pad. The property is within walking distance to downtown and it has prime access to open space if you just want to head out for a little stroll when you wake up. Make a weekend out of it, or use WeeCasa as your basecamp to explore Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding public lands.

PLAY Lyons’ LaVern M. Johnson Park (townoflyons.com/349/LaVernM-Johnson-Park) is a little tyke’s outdoor adventure dream. Surrounded on three sides by water, the park features tent and RV campsites, a whitewater park for tubing and kayaking, a massive playground and shelters and picnic areas that make it an ideal gathering place for large groups and Frisbee. Heil Valley Ranch (bouldercounty.org/open-space/parksand-trails/heil-valley-ranch/) spreads across 6,000 acres of protected land that you can explore by mountain bike or foot. All six trails here gain less than

1,000 feet of elevation, making the ranch an excellent spot for beginners.

Within spinning distance from town, Hall Ranch (bouldercounty.org/openspace/parks-and-trails/hall-ranch/) draws mountain bikers with a 4.2-mile flow lollipop off Apple Valley Road, or a 5.9-mile option that begins at the main parking lot and includes a technical rock garden.

—Jordan Martindell

LOCAL HERO: TIM KUGLER The Executive Director of Gunnison Trails is building a high- mountain paradise open to everyone.

RECENTLY HONORED AS A KITSBOW

Trail Advocate, Gunnison based Tim Kugler is deeply passionate about building community around excellent mountain bike trails in the Gunnison Valley and in Crested Butte. He’s loves getting dirty building them.

“I spent a weekend with the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA) building the Budd Trail, a rad little connector off of the popular Lower Loop trail, with over 150 volunteers. At the end of the day, we swilled beer, gorged on BBQ, and danced to a local bluegrass band along the banks of the Slate River—I was hooked,” says Kugler.

“We call Tim ‘Shreddy Boo-Boo’,” says David Ochs, Executive Director of CBMBA, “He is a fair fellow with the best intentions for public lands, for recreation, and specifically for shreddy mountain biking.”

He hits the trails hard. The Executive Director of Gunnison Trails and a member of CBMBA, Kugler completed the 500-mile, 70,000-vertical Colorado Trail Race in 2010. He’s currently leading a mountain bike trail expansion project in Gunnison at Signal Peak that will transform the

SINGLETRACK MIND TIM KUGLER (HERE WITH WIFE LAURIE) SIMPLY LOVES MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS. photo courtesy TIM KUGLER

greater Gunnison Valley’s access to local trails.

“We’re a better community having Tim looking out for our trail and recreation needs and protections, and we’re grateful to have him at the helm of Gunnison Trails,” says Ochs.

—Cameron Martindell

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BACKCOUNTRY REMEDIES Backpacking season has finally arrived! We have already lived a month of #vanlife in 2018, and we’re remembering everything we love (and love to hate) about it all—like putting up mosquito nets every time we stop, falling asleep to crickets, showering irregularly and brushing our teeth to sunrises. Now, it’s time to get out from our mobile metal walls and sleep in the backcountry. So check out the best gear the Live Outside and Play road team takes out into the wild.

MAY 2018

MISSION TO BHUTAN The story of how a team of ultrarunners set a record on the world’s hardest trek, and had to convince their guides to run along.

WHEN COLORADO ULTRARUNNERS BEN

Clark, Anna Frost and Timothy Olson set out to nab a speed record on the world’s hardest trek, they thought it would be no different that other big FKT attempts. But the Himalayas don’t take challenges lightly, nor does the country of Bhutan, where all visitors must pay large fees and travel with a guide at all times. They planned to take an ambitious two weeks to knock off the 186-mile voyage that crosses 11 passes over 16,000 feet and is often simply impassable due to deep snow. But they ran into a bigger problem: The Bhutanese guides refused to do the trek at the American pace—so the athletes realized that they had to respect the people who live and work in this isolated mountain

realm and convince them the speed record was something they could be a part of a shared accomplishment and battled through storms and hypothermia to shatter the record. The film “The Snowman Trek,” chronicling their shared feat will debut in 500 theaters across the U.S. and Europe on Thursday, May 17, and it will be anchored by a premier red-carpet event in Boulder that will feature the runners and Bhutanse guide Wang Chuk. Watch the trailer here: vimeo. com/227808213.

2018 ROAD TOUR M AY 2 0 1 8 E V E N T S

| FIND US HERE!

M AY 4 - 5

C H E AT R I V E R F E S T I VA L

A L B R I G H T, W VA

M AY 1 8 - 2 0

A P PA L AC H I A N T R A I L DAY S F E S T I VA L

DA M A S C U S , VA

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G E A R W E ’ R E LO V I N G

MOUNTAIN HOUSE TURKEY DINNER CASSEROLE Want to make the backcountry feel like a holiday? Mountain House lends a hand with lightweight, comfort foods ready in just a few minutes. This turkey dinner casserole has all the essentials, but none of the fussy relatives. $11 CRAZY CREEK HEX 2.0 You may think to yourself, why did I strap this foldable, lightweight chair to my backpack for a 10-mile hike in?

Easy comfort, that’s why. You’ll thank yourself ten times over when you arrive at camp and have a solid seat to cook from, relax on and brag about. $54

LEKI MICRO CARBON VARIO LADY Built specifically with a lady’s build in mind, these sturdy poles prove essential in the backcountry. Lightweight, foldable and featuring speed lock technology, they impart extra confidence when you’re hauling a heavy load. $200 LOWE ALPINE AEON 35 With new technology and a smart cinch system, this 35-liter pack transforms to fit your needs. It works perfectly as a day bag for your 9-5, a technical pack for that summit push, or a minimalist hauler for a two-day overnight. $130

EST. 71

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THE WORLD’S BIGGEST SPLASH Banff’s Sunshine’s Slush Cup, the biggest pond skimming event in the world, started in 1938 with a dare.

Folklore says Banff local Cliff Whyte was amazed by how the snow stayed into July at the resort in the Canadian Rockies, so he challenged a friend to “ski down that waterfall and across that pool of water.” Since that initial dare, the event has evolved into a beloved tradition. In the early 1990s, the resort added a large jump and

THE SLUSH RUSH FOR 90 YEARS SKIERS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SKIM 110 FEET ACROSS THE POND AT BANFF SUNSHINE—IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR STYLE. photo by DAN EVANS

the pool length has stretched to 110 feet long. The 90th anniversary Slush Cup runs Monday, May 21, 2018. Over the same weekend, Banff Sunshine is also hosting The Water Gate Banked Slalom and the The Slush Shine Rail Jam. skibanff.com/play/eventscalendar/90th-slush-cup —Kristen Pope

burly car-camp mansion the new TITAN 4 mtnGLO® with VESTIBULE 3 SEASONS · 2 DOORS · 90 SQ. FT. OF BLISS

Kate Rutherford cheffing up breakfast for a hungry group in Indian Creek, UT – Andrew Burr

The Mother of Comfort bigagnes.com

Garden of the Gods Park Rated #1 park in the US by Trip Advisor®

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FLASHPOINT

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REFUGE IN THE WILD

For immigrants and refugees, many of whom have fled war and persecution, Colorado’s public lands and open landscapes offer a chance to heal.

by SONYA PEVZNER

T

he Colorado outdoor community continues to expand beyond the stereotypical, happy, smiling, flannel-wearing white couple in a van with an Instagram hashtag. A rising tide of American ethnic and minority groups—from Brown Girls Climb to Natives Outdoors (see page 19) to Out There Adventures— have been raising awareness when it comes to the diversification of the state’s outdoor communities.

Still, it’s rare for those who have been left out of the conversation for so long to venture into the woods without being reminded that they are not the status quo.

But they have some company from outside the U.S. Over the past year, the state of Colorado has become home to several hundred newly-arrived immigrants, many from Muslim-majority countries.

Sixteen percent of Denver’s population is not born in the U.S.—and that number could be much higher given the number of undocumented Spanish-speaking immigrants who reside in the metro area. This demographic change comes during a time when the Trump administration’s aggressive, anti-immigration policies—including the controversial ban on travel from six Muslim countries and

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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 01 8

the end of DACA protection for rigorously vetted young adults who have lived their whole lives in the U.S.—have threatened the livelihood and safety of refugees and immigrants seeking resettlement here.

Refugees—those displaced by war, disaster and political persecution—are a reality all nations must face.

For the first time in history, the number of displaced people in the world has topped 60 million—and more than half of those are children. Despite this staggering statistic, less than one percent of refugees are approved for resettlement in another country—and from October 1, 2017 until the end of February, 2018, Colorado only accepted 171 refugees. With a processing time of 18-24 months, refugees who come to the U.S. are highly vetted group—more so than immigrants or tourists. However, a strict qualification of what constitutes a refugee—for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group—means that immigrants from Mexico and Central America, many of whom live in the Denver area, are not considered refugees, and lack similar asylum protection.

Once here, however, many of these immigrants and refugees are finding joy in connecting with themselves and people like them in nature, and in the calmness that being outdoors fosters. Despite the challenges of making a new home here and dealing with stereotypes of what an “outdoorsy” person looks like, they are finding inspiration in the wild. The following refugees and immigrants are now a growing part of the outdoor conversation:

MUNA OWEIDAT

A childhood of summer weekend picnics with her family and days playing on her family dunam (a 1,000-square plot of family land) in Jordan didn’t quite prepare Muna

Oweidat for her first NEWFOUND FREEDOM backpacking experience— IN IRAN, THE GOVERNMENT an intense NOLS program, WOULD NOT ALLOW SINA SOLOUK TO RACE part of her MBA degree, MOUNTAIN BIKES ON THE that took her across the NATIONAL TEAM BECAUSE Continental Divide.

HE IS A MEMBER OF THE Looking back, the data BAHA'I RELIGION. ALLOWED IN AS A POLITICAL REFUGEE analyst appreciates the IN THE UNITED STATES, nature and power of the HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO community she found.

COMPETE ON THE BIKE, Now, Muna has rooted MAKING THE PODIUM IN her newfound love of 13 OUT OF 15 COLORADO RACES IN 2016. the outdoors firmly in the mountains and climbing. photo by EDDIE CLARK “Nature is the place I go to reenergize and connect with life just like when I was a kid but with more freedom and intention,” she says.

MARIAM SHAREEFY

Mariam Shareefy might be new to the U.S., but she plans on changing the course of history during her time here—she has already done so in the midst of a war.

After her family fled to Pakistan from Afghanistan for a safer childhood and better education, Shareefy was hesitant to return to Afghanistan when she was older.

However, seeing the beauty of the mountains in northern Afghanistan changed her mind. “It felt like home, just touching those rocks and seeing that beauty was so calming. It was like therapy,” she explains.

Shareefy spent the next six years looking for a way to immerse herself in Afghanistan’s mountains, and found the chance when she started working at a non-profit that teaches homeless children how to climb.

“There are so many similarities between rock climbing

and entrepreneurship: setting goals, planning, getting through failure, persistence, problem solving, building confidence,” she says.

The skills Shareefy taught on the rock—problem solving, confidence, and careful preparation—gave the kids a chance to make a living and get off the streets, where they are the highest risk victims of suicide bombings. In fact, one of Mariam’s own students was killed in one blast.

Despite the challenging environment, several of her students have gone on to create businesses and generate enough income to support themselves, and separate themselves from the violence on the streets.

“Huma was one of my best students, a strong climber and an entrepreneur. She was skilled at crafting,” Shareefy says. “We bought her the materials she needed to make decorative items, and now she uses those skills to earn her own money.”

Sadly, Shareefy had to quit the project for security reasons, but she hasn’t lost sight of her dream to share the freedom and confidence she found on the wall. She says, “I want to use rock climbing as a way for Afghan refugees in Colorado to adapt and more easily assimilate into the U.S. culture.”

There are so many similarities between rock climbing and entrepreneurship: setting goals, planning, getting through failure, persistence, problem solving, building confidence.

SINA SOLOUK

Sina Solouk, an aspiring mountain bike racer, is from Iran, but he hasn’t been back in years.

Like many avid nature lovers, he works at REI during the day to support his addiction to outdoor sports, but racing his bike brings him the greatest joy. He’s really good at it, too—during the 2016 season, he made the podium in 13 out of 15 Colorado races. And although he enjoys road races, his heart belongs to the rocky and varied terrain on mountain bike racing. “I love exploring new trails and new places. My relationship with the outdoors is that I love to go outdoors to ride my bike and improve skills and speed. I want to be outside every day,” he told Cranked magazine.

Growing up in Tehran, a city of 12-15 million people, Sina and his family’s relationship to the outdoors consisted of gardening and exploring the mountain foothills on the weekends. He would have loved to stay and race bikes in Iran, but persecution against his faith—Sina is Bahá'í—forced him to choose between his family and his career. After crossing over to Turkey, Sina petitioned for refugee status, and moved to the U.S. Ironically, although crossing the border between three countries and several states (since moving to the US, Sina has lived in Washington, Colorado and Utah) has allowed him to see and explore more than he ever could have in Iran, his financial situation keeps him from riding as much as he wants. At home in Iran, he says, he could ride all day and explore in nature. Here, he has to focus on paying bills, and training during rare free time.

GROWING COLORADO KIDS

When Denise and Chris Lines founded Growing Colorado Kids, a farm non-profit designed to counter the lack of fresh and nutritious produce available to Denver refugees, they worked out of a collection of backyard plots cobbled together to create a farm. Ten years down the road, they’re located on a five-acre plot in Commerce, complete with a horse, two alpacas, chickens, fresh air and sweeping views of the mountains. Growing Colorado Kids serves dozens of refugee kids through the help of thousands of hours of volunteer work. Their mission, to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and provide experiential learning opportunities for refugee youth through organic farming, is working.

“For the kids, the chance to spend a Saturday on the farm is not frivolous—young men are asked to choose between rugby practice and farm time,” explains Denise.

“The youth are responsible—we ask them to make a seasonal commitment.”

On a recent Saturday, the sounds of kids planting new onions and putting up hoop houses blends with their chatter. Eh Ku, a spirited teenager, pivots easily in conversation. “Do you know about Karen language? Or where we are from?” she asks.

Then she quietly confides, “I feel like the boys on my building team don’t need me because I’m a girl.” The situation is quickly rectified, and everyone goes back to work.

The farm, it turns out, is the great equalizer.

One spindly tree among particular stands out here, its wiggly branches seemingly out of place next to the scrubby, spindly bushes beside it.

“Denise planted that,” a volunteer tour guide explains. “It came in a bouquet of flowers as a filler. She stuck it in the ground, and it just—grew. That was three years ago.” Many of the kids on this farm were born on different continents and brought to Denver, where they had to assimilate with a new culture. They were planted here, too, and despite a lack of resources, they just—grew.

Sonya Pevzner is a freelance writer and diversity advocate based in Boulder, Colorado. She draws frequently from her experience as a queer Russian-Jewish refugee to connect with the various diverse communities around her. You can reach her at sophia.pevzner@gmail.com.

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EXOS | EJA

Bridge crossings, sunsets with colors so rich it drips from the s k y, dinner w i t h c hipmunk s . T he lit tle things. T he E xos/Eja features uncompromised durabilit y in an u l t r a l i g h t p a c k a g e t h a t d e f i e s b e l i e f.

The only way to discover wondrous moments is to get out there and find them. So grab your friends, pack your gear and make it happen.

H OT S P OT

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FAVORITE COLORADO FLOATS

The water is high and it’s prime season to get out on the river or plan a big trip. Not sure where to start?

We give you four classic floats in the Centennial State, each tailored to how long you have to get away.

by CHRIS KASSAR

THE DAY TRIP

Cache La Poudre River, Steven’s Gulch to Poudre Park | Class: III-IV Make It Happen: Spring is the best time for Front Range residents to run their local waters. Clear Creek is a top option, but very popular. This equally gorgeous alternative farther north combines two sections—Upper and Lower Mishawaka—for a challenging and exhilarating 6.5-mile run that includes rapids ranging from class III to class IV+, depending upon flow. As you whip through the Poudre’s most difficult stretch of water below the Narrows, your adrenaline will spike on drops like Tunnel Rapid (IV) and Mishawaka Falls(IV). While you’re maneuvering through river bends, blind corners and undercut walls, make sure to take in the scenery on this free-flowing stream: rugged canyon walls and sporadic orange granite cliffs dotted with ponderosa pines. After all, this is Colorado’s only designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.

Bonus Points: Soak in post-float beverages and music at the Mishawaka Inn (themishawaka.com). It’s an hour-and-40-minute drive from Denver and just 20-30 minutes from Fort Collins.

Insider Info: Because it’s a small, shallow river, the Poudre becomes pretty technical at low water. Go when flows are high for non-stop play.

THE OVERNIGHTER

Arkansas River, Ruby Mountain to Salida | Class: III–IV Make It Happen: It’s tough to beat these 20 miles of weekend-favorable whitewater. The highlight? An eight-mile boulder-strewn stretch in Browns Canyon National Monument with magnificent pillars of pink rock, craggy spires and immense granite walls towering overhead. Riverside camping is plentiful and remote here, and even if you’re just spending one night under the stars you’ll feel as if you’ve left civilization far, far behind. And it’s fun: The serene canyon boasts plenty of long, class III/IV rapids, fast-paced wave trains, holes and drops including Zoom Flume, Raft Ripper, Graveyard, Last Chance, Widowmaker and Seidel’s Suckhole. Downstream of the monument, the cottonwood-lined river opens up to reveal sublime views of the snow-capped summits of the Collegiate Peaks.

Bonus Points: Be sure to put-in at Ruby Mountain to avoid the crowds and the commercial trips who typically start at Fisherman’s Bridge one mile upstream. The takeout is in the heart of Salida, within easy walking distance of a number of excellent restaurants and bars including the ever-

popular Boathouse Cantina (boathousesalida.com).

Insider Info: Avoid weekends during peak season if you can; this is one of the most run and guided river stretches in the country. Have more time? Add a day or two and continue through Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

THE MULTI-DAY GETAWAY

Gunnison Gorge, Chukar Trail to Gunnison River Pleasure Park | Class: III Make It Happen: This unique adventure begins with a one-mile hike or horseback ride on the Chukar Trail, a path worn into an adobe clay hillside that passes rocky outcrops as it descends to the river’s edge. From here, slip off the grid on one of the state’s most secluded rafting expeditions: This is a true wilderness experience that merges exciting rapids, calm glassy water, world-class fly fishing, dramatic canyon scenery, wildlife galore (peregrines and bighorn sheep, among others) and picturesque views. Though it only covers 14 miles of river, you’ll want to take a few nights to fully appreciate the unspoiled grandeur of the narrow river corridor that cuts through black granite cliffs soaring thousands of feet skyward.

Bonus Points: These are Gold Medal trout waters.

Insider Info: Boaters often hire pack animals to help get gear to the put-in. You can arrange for a BLMpermitted outfitter here at on.doi.gov/2JgPr7L.

THE BIG ENDEAVOR

Dolores River, Bradfield Recreation Site to Dewey Bridge | Class: IV–V Make It Happen: Born in the high peaks of the San Juans, the 200-mile Dolores River flows through the heart of classic red-rock canyon country to

merge with the Colorado LAND OF THE LOST River near Moab. On A MULTI-DAY FLOAT this 173-mile float down DOWN THE 200 SECLUDED MILES OF THE DOLORES the Dolores—a river RIVER IS ONE OF THE that maintains its wild PREMIER WILDERNESS character despite being EXPERIENCES IN THE STATE altered by a dam and OF COLORADO. YOU WILL irrigation demands—you’ll NEED HIGH FLOWS—A TRICKY PROPOSITION IN experience an array of DRY YEARS—FOR A FULL landscapes, discover FLEDGED RAFTING TRIP (and respect) indigenous HERE, BUT DUCKIES AND cultural sites like rock art, KAYAKS CAN MANAGE THE enjoy tranquil campsites VOYAGE AT 200 CFS. and all in a place without photo by CODY PERRY / internet access (adios, RIGTOFLIP.ORG Snapchat). Plenty of class II to IV rapids, including Snaggletooth, Three-mile and Stateline, enliven this stream that has somehow remained less discovered than other big Western float trips.

Bonus Points: Spectacular hikes and scrambles at every turn equal endless chances for discovery; explore dinosaur tracks, rock art panels, Grand Canyon-class side canyons, waterfalls and arches.

Insider Info: Perhaps what makes the Delores even more appealing is its inconsistency. The BLM regulates flows to the Dolores from the McPhee Reservoir, making for a short season (typically late April to early June). Beware: That also means you can’t always raft the river. In dry years, such as we are experiencing now, the water may be too low (though smaller craft can handle flows as low as 200 cfs). Follow flows at doloreswater.com/releases and be ready to drop everything and go at the last minute.

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NATIVE RIGHTS Native Americans have a deep, ancestral connection to the outdoors but all too often they get left out of the conversation when it comes to wilderness, wildlife, recreation and conservation in the United States.

Dig into these numbers and learn more about how indigenous people are being heard and making a difference in the outdoor industry.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

SENDING A MESSAGE NATIVES OUTDOORS' FOUNDER LEN NECEFER RUNS BETWEEN BEARS EARS AND GRAND STAIRCASE NATIONAL MONUMENTS. THE FILM “MESSENGERS” RAISED AWARENESS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' ANCESTRAL LINK TO THESE LANDS IN THE FACE OF TRUMP'S MASSIVE CUTS TO THE MONUMENTS.

5 67

The number of Native American tribes in the United States officially recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The list of recognized tribes includes large populations such as the Diné (356,890 people), Lakota (7,230 people), Cherokee (505,021) and Inuit (16,581) people as well as much smaller groups such as the seven remaining members of California’s Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Native American people make up two percent of the population of the United States today.

1

The number of Native American companies that are currently part of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA). In 2017, Len Necefer, an engineer and member of the Diné tribe, as the Navajo people call themselves, founded apparel brand Natives Outdoors with the express purpose of growing that number as well as expanding Native participation, visibility and voice in the outdoor space. The brand makes hats, tees and tanks featuring indigenous artwork and Necefer has plans to produce chalk bags. That merchandise feeds a bigger mission, however, raising funds to bring more attention to Native people and getting them more involved in outdoor business and activities. natives-outdoors.org

photo by JOHNIE GALL

of the planet’s largest coal-burning power plants lies on Navajo land in Fruitland, New Mexico. That plant spews out 157 million pounds of sulfur dioxide, 122 million pounds of nitrogen oxides, eight million pounds of soot and 2,000 pounds of mercury each year, posing health risks to the people who live near it but do not benefit from the plant.

O ve r 1 0 0,0 0 0

The number of sacred, cultural and archaeological sites contained within the original boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument. Without protection those sites continue to be looted and destroyed.

34

The number of tribes who came together to propose a Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah to protect the land and cultural and sacred sites important to their shared heritage. Founded in 2015, the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition— consisting of the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni and Ute Indian Tribe—was the first time the leaders of these tribes came together for a united purpose.

In 2016, President Obama created a 1.4-millionacre monument by the Antiquities Act, which 15 Presidents have used to create 127 monuments since 1906—but in 2017 President Trump slashed the size of Bears Ears by 85 percent at the behest of local white politicians. The Bears Ears InterTribal Coalition has been joined by 25 more tribes with ancestral, historical and contemporary ties to the Bears Ears region in the fight to protect and preserve the area, which is rich in both cultural resources and coal and uranium deposits. bearsearscoalition.org

Hours 17 friends (and five dogs) spent running 250 miles, in six-mile relay legs, between Bears Ears National Monument and Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument to raise awareness about the Trump Administration’s slashing of both monuments and rekindle the spirit of Native American messengers who have run across this landscape for eons. “Running is a cornerstone of the people and cultures who call Bears Ears and Grand Staircase home,” says Natives Outdoors Len Necefer in regards to the Diné and other tribes’ sacred roots to the place. “The history of relay runners and messengers extends hundreds of years throughout this landscape. Prior to the introduction of horses by the Spanish, these runners served a critical role in carrying time-sensitive messages between communities and tribes. Today, running still serves a critical role in rite-of-passage ceremonies such as the female puberty ceremony known as the kinaalda.” The run became the basis for the film “Messengers,” created by Johnie Gall and Andy Cochrane. The 17 runners included Necefer and Leadville 100 champ Clare Gallagher. messengersrun.com

1 8 ,0 0 0

48

5

The number of homes on the Navajo Nation that are off the power grid, in spite of the fact that one

The number of tribes that consider the state of Colorado home—they include the Apache, Navajo,

Kiowa, Arapaho and Cheyenne. Only two tribes, the Southern Ute Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, are federally recognized in Colorado today, with others who ancestrally lived and hunted here on reservations everywhere from Oklahoma to Arizona.

125 ,0 0 0

Size in acres of the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, near the famed Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. Located entirely on tribal land, Ute Mountain Tribal Park sees 10,000 visitors per year who must travel with a guide to tour natural wonders like the 5,452-foot Chimney Rock formation and ancestral ruins that rival Mesa Verde. utemountaintribalpark.info

5 ,0 0 0

Years people have inhabited the land of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Located in Arizona, ths monument is co-managed by the Navajo Nation and the U.S. National Park Service, the only such partnerhsip in the southwest. nps.gov/cach

$1 0 0,0 0 0

The amount The North Face gave to non-profit Friends of Cedar Mesa to help build a “Visit with Respect” Education Center outside Bears Ears in Bluff, Utah. The outdoor industry giant hopes that the grant will “provide educational resources—from maps and guides to knowledgeable staff—to educate and serve the thousands of visitors exploring the Bears Ears region.” friendsofcedarmesa.org

2 .1 million

The number of Native Americans under the age of 24 living in the U.S. as of 2010. “As part of the Generation Indigenous initiative launched by President Obama, the Center for Native American Youth manages the National Native Youth Network to provide a sustainable platform to connect, engage, and provide opportunities for Native youth.” cnay.org/gen-i-network

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CAROLE MCGRANAHAN

This University of Colorado professor has fought alongside Tibetans for their political rights since 1990. Now she’s speaking out even louder to bring their voices to this ongoing fight.

by TRACY ROSS

A

s an undergrad at Colgate University in 1989, Carole McGranahan studied abroad in Nepal and lived in a village close to the Tibetan border. While there, she met Tibetans from a nearby refugee camp who would come to the village to see the novelty of American students. She learned how they’d fled Tibet after the Chinese occupied their country in 1959. Inspired to help, she dedicated her life to teaching the world about the plight of the Tibetans. Now 48, the professor of anthropology with a specialty in Tibet and the Himalayas at the University of Colorado continues to teach and write books like Arrested Histories (Duke University Press, 2010), which tells the stories of the Tibetan Chushi Gangdrug resistance army. McGranahan recently met us for chai at the Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder to talk about her work.

How did you study what was happening in Tibet with so little information available here in the U.S.?

In grad school at the University of Michigan, I earned a PhD in history and anthropology. For three years, I’d do an academic year in Ann Arbor and then travel to Nepal, India, London, Beijing or Tibet for research.

After that, I spent three years living in the Tibetan community in Kathmandu, and traveling all over South Asia to interview over 100 veterans of the Chushi Gangdrug Army, formed by Tibetan citizens after the Chinese invaded Tibet.

In Arrested Histories, you reveal that the Chushi Gangdrug actually has ties to Colorado.

They do! From 1958 through 1964, the CIA trained Tibetan resistance fighters at Camp Hale. On Route 24, west of Leadville, you can see the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division WWII training facilities from the road. Several valleys back from the road, the Tibetans trained in complete secrecy. Astonishingly, it was not public knowledge until 2010. Before that, the historical plaques at Camp Hale skipped right over the period as if nothing had happened.

I’m fascinated by the work you do testifying on behalf of Tibetans and Nepalis.

I testify as an expert witness when someone applies for political asylum. You can’t prepare for how sad this work is, but there’s a real need for it. A local attorney called me in 2004 asking if I’d provide expert witness in a case. This was for a person who had to flee from Nepal following unthinkable political persecution

by Maoist soldiers during the civil war. If this person returned to Nepal, they would’ve been killed by the Maoists. The case was a success—a huge relief. Since then, I’ve provided about 150 expert testimonies for both Nepalis and Tibetans. When someone applies for political asylum, they must show they’ve been persecuted for their political beliefs. I explain political conditions in the applicant’s country for judges who deal with cases from around the world.

photo courtesy CAROLE MCGRANAHAN

Is life better now for those who’ve managed to get out of Tibet?

Yes and no. Life inside Tibet under Chinese rule can be a matter of life and death. One clear sign of this is that since 2009 over 150 Tibetans inside Tibet have self-immolated to protest Chinese oppression.

Life as a refugee can be difficult, and Tibetans have now been refugees for almost six decades. Neither India nor Nepal has signed onto any of the UN conventions on refugees, and so multiple generations of Tibetan refugees have lived in both countries without any rights or a legal path to citizenship.

This is really unusual in the world. Under the Dalai Lama’s leadership, Tibetans created their own exile government which has been key to both keeping the community together and maintaining awareness about the Tibetan struggle outside of Tibet. All of the resistance veterans with whom I worked had the hope, if not the conviction, that Tibet will once again be a sovereign country.

And what’s something good that we should know about Tibetan culture?

There are so many things: Tibetan religious rituals for starting the day; incense made from juniper

Life as a refugee can be difficult, and Tibetans have now been refugees for almost six decades. boughs; ideas about the impermanence of life and interdependence of all things; powerful contemporary art; kora (circumambulation), or walking prayer, as everyday practice; and momos, the world’s most delicious dumplings, made from either yak meat or potatos and served with homemade hot sauce. Yum. What can we do to help these people who lost their country and are still fighting to get it back?

Educate yourself. Share what you learn with your community. Investigate how you can support Tibetan activist groups such as Students for a Free Tibet.

Contact your elected representatives to discuss Tibet and China. Think about what you have to offer based on your strengths and skills. Heed anthropologist Margaret Mead’s famous words: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Tibetan resistance veterans shared the stories in Arrested Histories with me in the hope that others around the world would read them, so please do. Hear them, learn about what happened, act for change.

M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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THE 2018

Rocky Mountain Festival Guide

Summer is on the way and it’s time to plan a full season of events that will get you moving, shaking, racing— and maybe even taking some time for contemplation. EO’s annual festival guide puts the next seven months of outdoor lifestyle happenings at your fingertips. So peruse these listings, circle your favorites and pack up the cooler, tent and hula hoop. Bring on the festing!

by HARPER BROWN AND STAFF

MAY ESTES PARK DUCK R ACE Estes Park, CO | May 5 Get your ducks in order—and race them down the Fall River in this tradition that supports the local charities of the Estes Valley.

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FOOD TRUCK CARN IVAL Northglenn, CO | May 11-13 Hipsters will rejoice when 30 food trucks converge each day at this tasty party featuring bluegrass and Americana music on the main stage, beer tastings and a Tilt-AWhirl-style carnival.

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HEAD FOR THE HILLS PICKIN' ON THE POUDRE Bellvue, CO | May 12 Colorado fest season kicks off here when Head for the Hills—a postmodern bluegrass, progressive string band—hits the stage with Whiskey Shivers and Wood Belly at Mishawaka Amphitheatre.

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TH E 303 FESTIVAL Denver, CO | May 17 This party will go down at The Church, with events in three rooms, including a silent disco

by SoundDown Party, a Colorado musician Super Jam, musician meet-and-greets and performances by dozens of Colorado superstars.

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THE GOLDEN GAMES Golden, CO | May 18- 20 The boat-centric Golden Games has won Best Paddling Event two years running in EO’s annual Best of the Rockies reader poll. Family and furry-friend friendly, it celebrates kayaking, SUP, slacklining, river surfing, music and more.

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GRAND JUNCTION OFF-ROAD Grand Junction, CO | May 18-20 Test yourself in singletrack, doubletrack and gravel bike races

of 5, 30 or 40 miles on the worldfamous Lunch Loops trail system.

photo courtesy ARISE

EPICRIDES.COM/EVENTS/GRANDJUNCTION-OFF-ROAD/EVENT-GUIDE

UPSLOPE GET DOWN Boulder, CO | May 19 Dance to live music, eat great food, crush your friends in yard games, all while sampling beers on tap at this spring fling. And be sure to get a team together and participate in the EO scavenger hunt for a chance to win awesome prizes.

UPSLOPEBREWING.COM/GETDOWN

MEADOWGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL Colorado Springs, CO | May 25-27 Spend Memorial Day weekend shaking your thing to eclectic bands, hiking or hammocking with your fam and practicing yoga at the La Foret Conference & Retreat Center.

FESTIVAL OF TH E BREWPUBS Arapahoe Basin, CO | May 27 Spring skiing, tunes, brews and friends—up at A-Basin, it’s an endless spring-skiing block party.

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JUnE BON FI RE B LOCK PART Y Eagle, CO | June 1-3 Live music, food vendors and craft beer make this street fair a winner. Don’t miss Bloodies & Brass on June 3 (separate ticket required). Combine it with the Eagle Outside Festival (see below).

BONFIREBLOCKPARTY.COM

CKS PADDLE FEST Buena Vista, CO | May 25-28 This four-day paddling blowout includes comps and other fun events in whitewater, flatwater and land races in the heart of Buena Vista. Plunge in or simply kick back and enjoy the party.

E AG LE OUTSIDE FESTIVAL Eagle, CO | June 1-3 Test new bikes at the bustling demo and take a spin on the Haymaker Hotlap Mountain Bike Time Trial, one of the fastest purpose-built crosscountry courses on the planet. Finish up by getting down at The Bonfire Block Party (see above).

CKSPADDLEFEST.COM

EAGLEOUTSIDEFESTIVAL.COM

MEADOWGRASS.ORG

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www.MountainHouse.com

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Rocky Mountain Festival Guide

Gunnison River

photo courtesy TELLURIDE BLUES AND BREWS

CAMPOUT FOR THE CAUSE Buena Vista, CO | June 1-3 Feel good about your festival vibe— the annual benefit Campout (now in Buena Vista) features music, yoga and lifestyle workshops with a positive focus on sustainability and community.

CAMPOUTFORTHECAUSE.ORG

2 0 T H A N N U A L B U E N A V I S TA BIKE FEST Buena Vista, CO | June 2 Ride a stunning century route along the rolling hills of Turquoise Lake Road, around the Mineral Belt Trail, through the rarefied air of the historic Leadville Mining District—and turn around and head back to Buena Vista.

DENVER BERKELEY ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL Berkeley Park, Denver, CO | June 9-10 This weekend fete features a free art show, food and events for the kids. Live music by the Wounded Warrior Band, Band On The Fence, Ceruleus, Scarecrow Revival, Franny & The Jets, Ponder The Albatross, Doc & Kit and Tullis Blues.

COLORADOEVENTS

BVBF.ORG

ANDFESTIVALS.COM

A N I M A S R I V E R D AY S Durango, CO | June 2 Durango embraces its lifeblood—its downtown river—with whitewater slalom, kayak rodeos, boatercross and SUP races. And all this paddling fun is packed into one Saturday afternoon.

DEL NORTE TRAIL SHOWCASE Del Norte, CO | June 10-12 The Fourth Annual Del Norte Trail Showcase will include three days of events, including mountain biking and trail running, to benefit the outstanding trails and outdoor community of Del Norte.

ANIMASRIVERDAYS.COM

B U R N I N G C A N AT T H E LY O N S O U T D O O R G A M E S Lyons, CO | June 2-3 Partake in trail running, biking, yoga and kayaking—or bring your kids and watch them crush it—all while enjoying 50+ craft brewery stations at this outdoor lifestyle throwdown.

OSKARBLUES.COM/EVENT/BURNING-CANFESTIVAL

COLORADO BIKE EXPO Castle Rock, CO | June 2-3 This busy expo brings together everything cycling: More than 100 exhibitors, consumer trends, bike deals, organized rides, clubs, teams, advocacy groups and cycling destinations—not to mention demos, live music, food trucks and a beer garden.

COLORADOBIKEEXPO.COM

40TH ANNUAL CRAWFORD P I O N E E R D AY S Crawford, Colorado | June 7-10 Seeking a shot of old-fashioned charm? Here you can enter a baking contest, holler in an auction, march in a parade or stand atop the throne in the outhouse races.

DELTACOUNTYCOLORADO.COM

2 0 1 8 G O P R O M O U N TA I N GAMES Vail, CO | June 7-10 Come join in on the country’s largest celebration of mountain sports or just ogle Olympians. Don’t miss three free nights of concerts at the historic Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

MOUNTAINGAMES.COM

Festival

Celebrating Our Rivers

KRISTIMOUNTAINSPORTS.COM

SON IC B LOOM FESTIVAL Hummingbird Ranch, Spanish Peaks County, CO | June 14 -17 Break out the glow sticks! Join Shpongle with visuals by Android Jones, Keys N Krates, Nightmares on Wax (Live Band), EOTO, Break Science, Vibesquad and dozens more under the sparkling Colorado skies.

SONICBLOOMFESTIVAL.COM

My Best Fest telluride bluegrass THE ONE TIME I MADE IT TO TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS, I N 2 0 0 7, I S S T I L L O N E O F M Y A L L-T I M E FAVO R I T E FESTIVAL E XPE RIE NCES. I STRUCK OUT IN THE CAMPING L O T T E R Y, B U T L U C K I LY A N OLD FRIEND LET ME CAMP ON HIS LAWN, JUST STEPS AWAY F R O M TO W N PA R K . I T ' S S U C H A S P E C I A L F E S T I VA L— FROM THE STUNNING B E A U T Y T H AT S U R R O U N D S T H E M A I N S TA G E TO T H E F R I E N D LY C O M M U N I T Y T H AT M A K E S I T F E E L L I K E A F A M I LY R E U N I O N . C AT C H I N G O N E O F T H E I N T I M AT E NIGHTGRASS SHOWS IN TOWN I S E S S E N T I A L . T H AT Y E A R , I SAW THE AVET T BROTHE RS P L AY F O R 2 5 0 P E O P L E AT T H E SHERIDAN OPERA HOUSE. —JEDD FERRIS

photo courtesy ARISE

HANUMAN Boulder, CO | June 14-17 Open your heart and experience awakening, belonging and connection at this four-day celebration of world-class yoga, mind-blowing music, inspirational experiences and nourishing community.

HANUMANFESTIVAL.COM

FIBARK Salida, CO | June 14 -17 FIBArk is the oldest whitewater festival in the world! The festival, best known for its paddling events, will include so much more in this, its 68th year. Head to downtown Salida for four days of whitewater, free music from national acts and an always hopping beer garden.

FIBARK.NET

M E LV I N B R E W I N G M A D N E S S D AY S Apline, WY | June 15-17 Things will get wet and wild when Melvin and friends celebrate at the brewer’s Wyoming “Megachurch.”

MELVINBREWING.COM

Rocky Mountain Festival Guide CLEAR CREEK RAPIDGRASS B LUEG R A SS FESTIVAL Idaho Springs, CO | June 15-17 Low-key but delivering high-energy entertainment, Rapidgrass features Rapidgrass the band, Head for the Hills and Trout Steak Revival—it’s a no-brainer for bluegrass fans.

CLEARCREEKRAPIDGRASS.COM

DENVER PRIDEFEST Denver, CO | June 16-17 Join 350,000 people of all orientations celebrating love.

DENVERPRIDE.ORG

A-LODGE FILM & MUSIC FEST Boulder, CO | June 19 The A-Lodge serves up live music, beer, wine, food and a 24-foot outdoor projector screen on its sprawling lawn adjacent to the Fourmile Creek.

M U DAPALOOZ A M U D VOLLEYBALL Northglenn, CO | June 16 Get muddy with your friends in this wild sporting event which gathers 700+ volleyball players, 4,000 gallons of mud, beer, music and cheering crowds for a day of dirty fun.

A-LODGE.COM

NORTHGLENN.ORG/MUDAPALOOZA

TELLURIDEYOGAFESTIVAL.COM

SWITCHBACK MUSIC FESTIVAL Winter Park, CO | June 16-17 Groove with headliners Ziggy Marley and Soja at this new two-day event that brings together world-class artists and up-andcoming favorites for a weekend packed with live tunes.

CRESTED BUTTE BIKE WEEK Crested Butte, CO | June 21-24 You cannot call yourself a true fat-tire freak unless you crank it out at the world’s oldest mountain bike festival.

PLAYWINTERPARK.COM/SWITCHBACKMUSIC-FESTIVAL

TE LLU RI DE YOGA FESTIVAL Telluride, CO | July 19-22 Now in its 10th year, this limber fest includes biking, slacklining and SUP yoga events. Bonus: The gondola ferries yogis between classes.

CBCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS/CB-BIKE-WEEK

SALIDA ART WALK Salida, CO | June 21 -24 The 26th annual Art Walk features exhibits from local and regional artists in many forms, including art

demos, musicians and busking street performers.

SALIDAARTWALK.ORG/ART-WALK

SUMMER SOUNDS MUSIC SERIES Silverton, CO | June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28 This series of free summer concerts rock Silverton every fourth Friday in Blaire Street’s Columbine Park.

SILVERTONCOLORADO.COM

R OYA L G O R G E W H I T E WAT E R FESTIVAL Canon City, CO | June 22-23 Join in on two glorious days of boats, bands and beer along the Arkansas—and you might even take a scenic train ride along the gorge.

ROYALGORGEWHITEWATERFESTIVAL.COM

G U N N I S O N W H I T E WAT E R FESTIVAL Gunnison, CO | June 22-24 This festival is more than fun and games: It celebrates the importance of clean water for everyone, bringing people together to celebrate at the

headwaters of the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers and regional creeks off the Continental Divide.

GUNNISONRIVERFESTIVAL.COM

AT TA C K O F T H E B I G B E E R S & GRILLED CHEESE FEST Copper Mountain, CO | June 22-24 Craft beer, grilled cheese and a film festival—that’s a perfect weekend.

ATTACKOFTHEBIGBEERS.COM

29TH ANNUAL COLORADO B RE WE RS’ FESTIVAL Fort Collins, CO | June 22-24 This free hoppy happening features 90+ Colorado beers, 40+ Colorado breweries, an interactive Beer School with tastings and demonstrations, music vendors and food trucks.

DOWNTOWNFORTCOLLINS.COM/EVENTS/ COLORADO-BREWERS-FESTIVAL

BLUES FROM THE TOP Winter Park, CO | June 23-24 Winter Park’s non-profit blues

MADE WITH

Food & Art Worth Sharing

7th ANNUAL HARD CIDER FESTIVAL October 27, 2018 Hotchkiss, CO

MOUNTAIN V COLOR ILLAGE ADO

Every Wednesday JUNE 20 THROUGH AUGUST 22 – 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

Taste cider from all over Colorado at Big B's Delicious Orchards annual Hard Cider Fest. Join over 10 cideries for cider tasting, BBQ, and live music all day.

COME VISIT OUR ORCHARD TAP ROOM 39126 HIGHWAY 133, HOTCHKISS, CO 81419 BIGBS.COM · 970-527-1110

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Free Parking & Gondola in Mountain Village TOWNOFMOUNTAINVILL AGE.COM/MARKET

ATHLETES | A R T | MUSIC | MOUNTA INS FREE FOR SPEC TAT ORS | FREE CONCER T S | # GOPROM T NGA MES

Keystone Festivals PICK YOUR PASSION

Rocky Mountain Festival Guide extravaganza brings some heat to the high country. It also serves as a showcase for young and up-and-coming blues artists.

BLUESFROMTHETOP.ORG

KEYSTONE'S BACON AND BOURBON FESTIVAL Keystone, CO | June 23-24 What pairs better than bacon and bourbon? Top it off with a bacon Bloody Mary and hard lady rock from Hell’s Belles and Lez Zeppelin.

KEYSTONEFESTIVALS.COM

B E A N S TA L K Rancho del Rio, CO | June 28-30 Jam band fans will delight with three days of the Magic Beans and more in the heart of Vail Valley. Kill the hangover with a morning hike to the nearby Radium Hot Springs.

BEANSTALKFESTIVAL.COM

G RE E N BOX ARTS FESTIVAL Green Mountain Falls, CO June 29-July 7 You can both enjoy and take part in the arts at this community festival in the shadow of Pikes Peak.

RAPIDS & GRASS BEER FESTIVAL Buena Vista, CO | June 29-July 1 It’s time to double dip. For the price of one festival ticket here you get access to unlimited tastings from over 40 breweries and access to over 40 different bluegrass bands.

RGFEST.COM/WELCOME

R I D G WAY R I V E R F E S T I VA L Ridgway, CO | June 30 Float into this celebration of the Uncompahgre River and the Ridgway community. Events include SUP races, an inflatables race, a hard shells race and “Junk of the unc” race. Riverfest is produced by a Ouray nonprofit that is dedicated to helping protect the Uncompahgre River watershed.

RIDGWAYRIVERFEST.ORG

COLORADO SPRINGS ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL Colorado Springs, CO June 30-July 1 National and local fine artists will display and sell their wares, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, wearable art, leather and more.

COLORADOEVENTSANDFESTIVALS.COM

GREENBOXARTS.ORG

take part in vineyard tours and tasting, and enjoy farm-to-table dinners or foodand-wine pairings with local chefs.

My Best Fest telluride jazz fest PLUNKED BETWEEN BLUEGRASS AND BLUES AND BREWS, TELLURIDE'S VE NE R ABLE JA ZZ FESTIVAL DELIVERS LEGENDARY MUSICAL THRILLS WITHOUT THE CHAOS. THERE'S NO MAD D A S H T O C L A I M T E R R I T O R Y. NO MILE-LONG BEER LINES. N O M O N T H S - E A R LY C R U S H F O R TI C K E TS . TH E 42-Y E A R O L D J A Z Z F E S T I V A L I N E A R LY AUGUST IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN JAZZ, TOO, WITH TA S T E - O F - N E W O R L E A N S PA R A D E S , TO P - N OTC H E AT S A N D A C C E S S I B L E L AT E - N I G H T G I G S T H AT D O N ' T R E Q U I R E EIGHT MONTHS OF PLANNING. BRUCE HORNSBY AND KARL DENSON LEAD THIS YEAR’S L I N E U P, A C C O M P A N I E D

BY A SLEW OF SIMMERING R O C K E R S L I K E C O R Y H E N R Y, BADBADNOTGOOD AND THE RAGING TURKUAZ. I'LL SEE YOU THE RE .

—JASON BLEVINS

JULY

DELTACOUNTYCOLORADO.COM

3RD ANNUAL COPPER M O U N TA I N M U S I C F E S T I VA L Copper Mountain, CO | July 6-8 The fourth annual Copper Mountain music festival features bluegrass and Americana bands and artists.

The weekend also offers workshops, jam sessions with music enthusiasts, outdoor adventures and fireworks. Free!

COPPERCOLORADO.COM

CRESTED BUTTE WILDFLOWE R FESTIVAL Crested Butte, CO | July 6-15 It’s one of the most colorful and beautiful festivals in Colorado. Be sure to get out on one of the guided hikes.

CRESTEDBUTTEWILDFLOWERFESTIVAL.COM

HOOTENANNY Littleton, CO | July 6-15 Members of Phish, Widespread Panic, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Leftover Salmon and more headline this Breckenridge Brewery party.

BRECKBREW.COM

NORTH FORK UNCORKED PAON IA Hotchkiss, CO | July 3-4 Pop it open. The West Elk winemakers invite you to North Fork Uncorked. Meet local wine-makers,

BLUES UNDER THE BRIDGE, 91.5 KRCC Colorado Springs, CO | July 7 Now in it's 12th year, Blues Under the Bridge will celebrate with cool tunes.

BLUESUNDERTHEBRIDGE.ORG

Elevate Your Atitude

AUGUST 3-5, 2018 CRESTEDBUTTEARTSFESTIVAL .COM

rand Mesa GBYWAY N CO• HWY 6 5 M

GRANDMESABYWAY.COM M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

THE DROPS IN THE GUNNISON GORGE NCA

10,500 ft at a time!

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Rocky Mountain Festival Guide 3RD ANNUAL TEQUILA & TA C O F I E S TA Winter Park, CO | July 7 Top off one of the world’s best food and drink mixes with live music from The Rick Lewis Project & Felix Y Los Gatos. A chili cook-off and tequila tastings bring it all up a notch.

PLAYWINTERPARK.COM/

TA R G H E E F E S T AT G R A N D TA R G H E E R E S O R T Alta, WY | July 13-15 Get high in the Tetons with pumping beats, great food and drink and the spirit of sustainability. Best of all, enjoy Targhee’s mellow, accepting vibe and dance with some new friends.

GRANDTARGHEE.COM/EVENT/ TARGHEE-FEST

TEQUILAANDTACOS

photo courtesy ARISE

COLORADO FUNC FEST Montrose, CO | July 14 Water sports enthusiasts, competitors, and the fun-loving Montrose community gather to enjoy the Fun on the Uncompahgre “FUNC Fest” at the Montrose Water Sports Park.

VISITMONTROSE.COM

COLORADO BREWERS RENDEZVOUS BEER FESTIVAL Salida, CO | July 14 The 22nd Annual Brewers rendezvous Beer Festival takes over historic downtown Salida, with over 75 Colorado breweries and 300 frosty samplings. Fill your downtime with a spin on S-Mountain singletrack.

SALIDACHAMBER.ORG

RIDE FESTIVAL Telluride, CO | July 14-15 Telluride’s new-school festival features heavy hitters including The String Cheese Incident and Grace Potter.

F R I S C O T R I AT H LO N Frisco, CO | July 14 This mountain-town-style tri includes SUP, mountain biking and trail running.

FRISCORECREATION.COM

KEYSTONE WINE AND JAZZ Keystone, CO | July 14-15 Lift a glass of Malbec and bob your head to fest favorites Dotsero at this event that elevates fine grapes.

KEYSTONEFESTIVALS.COM

ROA R I N TH E C IT Y— R E A L LY O U T R A G E O U S ADVENTURE RACE Colorado Springs, CO | July 21 Grab your team, roll up your sleeves and get ready to put your brawn and brain to the test! This fun event will challenge you with a range of numerous physical and mental activities. Check in at Basecamp to get your clues to the race course.

UPADOWNA.ORG

STEAMBOATCHAMBER.COM/SIGNATURE-

SALIDA RIVERSIDE FINE ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL Riverside Park, Salida, CO | July 21-22 Salida has more to offer than a bold palette of outdoor adventure. It’s also rated as one of America’s 100 best art towns thanks to 15 local galleries and dozens of local artists.

Local blues and folk bands will play throughout this three-day hoedown.

EVENTS/HOT-AIR-BALLOON-RODEO

COLORADOEVENTSANDFESTIVALS.COM

RIDEFESTIVAL.COM

S T E A M B O AT H O T A I R BALLOON RODEO Steamboat, CO | July 14-15 If you have never taken to the sky in a hot air balloon, this is your big chance.

Just don’t let that good old Steamboat cowboy attitude scare you off.

Art by Elan Smader Livne

COLORADO ART & MUSIC FESTIVALS JUNE 9 - 10 JUN 30 - JULY 1 JULY 21 - 22 AUG 11 - 12 SEPT 22 - 23

Denver Berkeley Park Art & Music Festival Colorado Springs Art & Music Festival Salida Riverside Art & Music Festival Denver Sloan’s Lake Art & Music Festival Parker Fine Arts & Music Festival Park

NATIONAL JURIED ARTISTS . ALL DAY/LIVE MUSIC Free Admission! Delicious Foods & Drink! Kids Tents!

ColoradoEventsAndFestivals.com HAZEL MILLER BAND (DENVER, CO SPRINGS & PARKER FESTIVALS)

(Denver, CO Springs & Parker Festivals)

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MUST SEE BUENA VISTA & SALIDA COLORADO EVENTS May 5, 2018

Collegiate Peaks Trail Run - Buena Vista

May 25 -28, 2018

PaddleFest - Buena Vista

May 26 - 27, 2018

Bluegrass On The Arkansas - Salida

May 27, 2018

Spirit Trail Run - Buena Vista

June & July, 2018

Concerts in the Park - Salida

June 1-3, 2018

Campout For The Cause Music Festival - Buena Vista

June 2, 2018

Buena Vista Bike Fest - Buena Vista

June 8 - 10, 2018

Collegiate Peaks Stampede Rodeo - Buena Vista

June 14 - 17, 2018

FIBArk Whitewater Festival - Salida

June 22-24, 2018 Salida Artwalk - Salida

June 29 - July 1, 2018

Rapids & Grass Beer Festival - Buena Vista

June 30, 2018

Mt. Mania Car Show - Buena Vista

June 30-31, 2018

Salida Arts Festival - Salida

July 4, 2017

July 4th Celebrations - Buena Vista & Salida

July 4, 2018

Independence 5k - Buena Vista

July 14, 2018

Colorado Brewers Rendezvous Beer Festival- Salida

July 19 - 29, 2018

Chaffee County Fair & Rodeo - Poncha Springs

July 21 - 22, 2018

Riverside Fine Arts Festival - Salida

August 4, 2018

Angel Of Shavano Car Show - Salida

Learn More & Get A Free Visitor Guide:

ColorfulColorado.com Aug 11 - 12, 2018

Gold Rush Days - Buena Vista

August 25 - 26, 2018

King Boletus Mushroom Festival - Buena Vista

September 1, 2018 Salida Winefest - Salida

September 8, 2018 Se Apple Fest - Buena Vista

September 8 - 9, 2018

Salida Fiber Arts Festival - Salida

September 13 - 16, 2017 Salida BikeFest - Salida

September 15, 2018

Banana Belt Be Mountain Bike - Salida

September 16, 2018

Monarch Crest Crank - Salida

September 18 - 22, 2018

BV OHV Fall Color Tour - Buena Vista

September 22 - 23. 2018 Salida Studio Tour - Salida

September 28 - 30, 2018 Se 14er Fest - Buena Vista

September 30, 2018

Sleeping Indian Hill Climb - Buena Vista

October 28 - 31, 2018

 Haunted Night at Turner Farm - Buena Vista

October 31, 2018

Trick or Treat Street - Buena Vista

November 17, 2018

Xi Mu Christmas Fair - Buena Vista

November 23, 2018 - January 6, 2019 Christmas Mtn. Lighting & Parade Of Lights - Salida

December 1, 2018

Christmas Opening - Buena Vista

December 20, 2018 Holiday Fest - Salida

December 31, 2018

Torchlight Parade & Fireworks - Monarch Mountain

Rocky Mountain Festival Guide RE D ANTS PANTS White Sulphur Springs, MT | July 26-29 Montana’s big summer blowout will bring Lucinda Williams, The Bellamy Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel and more hot bands to the Treasure State.

REDANTSPANTSMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

My Best Fest denver pride fest

G R A N D M E S A M O O S E D AY Grand Mesa, CO | July 28 Welcome to everything Alces alces, including programs on moose viewing, moose safety and moose biology; outdoor demonstrations; giveaways; and hands-on activities for kids.

GRANDMESABYWAY.COM

A P R È S D AY PRESENTED BY UPSLOPE AND

OYSTE R RI DG E M US IC FESTIVAL Kemmerer, WY | July 27-29 The Oyster Ridge Music Festival is Wyoming's Largest free festival.

Kemmerer is quirky and cool, too.

OYSTERRIDGEMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

ROCK YG R A SS Lyons, CO | July 27-29 The premier hoedown for bluegrass aficionados features Sam Bush, David Grisman, the Steep Canyon Rangers and all the hot pickin’ you can handle.

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S M A G A Z I N E

Boulder, CO | July 28 Join Upslope and Elevation Outdoors magazine’s Live Outside and Play Road team for a day of après! Check out adventure vans from around the state, celebrate the outdoor lifestyle, drink Upslope beer, enjoy music and nosh at food trucks. It’s all about the après!

UPSLOPEBREWING.COM

AuGuSt

AS A QUEER WOMAN WITH A MALE PARTN E R , I SPEND MOST OF MY Y E A R F LY I N G U N D E R T H E H E T E R O N O R M AT I V E R A D A R , B U T AT P R I D E F E S T, I G E T TO SHOUT MY QUEERNESS LOUD AND PROUD. THE S E N S E O F C O M M U N I T Y, A N D C E L E B R AT I N G W H O YO U A R E IS EMPOWERING. THERE'S MUSIC AND DANCING, FOOD AND BOOZE , AND E VE RYONE FROM DYKES ON BIKES TO G AY DA D S P U S H I N G B A B I E S IN STROLLERS. IT'S THE B E S T D I S P L AY O F H U M A N I T Y YOU COULD HOPE FOR. I N 2 0 1 7, A N E S T I M AT E D 385,000 LOVE-INFUSED, N O N N O R M AT I V E P E O P L E AT T E N D E D. B O N U S P O I N T S : P R I D E F E S T C E L E B R AT E S ALL FORMS OF LOVE, SO MY STRAIGHT FRIENDS GET E XC I T E D A B O U T AT T E N D I N G EVERY YEAR, TOO.

— K AT I E B O U É

ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL Loveland, CO | August 3-5 Join EO's Live Outside and Play team and open yourself to this joyous event that celebrates community and life with music, yoga, camping, art and more. Slightly Stoopid, Trevor Hall, Fierce le Fev and more will keep your body moving all night long.

MYJOURNEYRACING.COM

PICKINPRODUCTIONS.COM

ARISEFESTIVAL.COM

Drop in!

TELLURIDEJAZZ.ORG

KEYSTONE BLUEGRASS AND B E E R FESTIVAL Keystone, CO | August 4-5 Appalachia meets Colorado at this quintessential mountain festival. Add in drinks from 40+ craft breweries and you have one down-home weekend.

KEYSTONEFESTIVALS.COM

EVERGREEN TOWN RACE Evergreen, CO | Aug 5 This classic 5k or 10k run down the Upper Bear Creek Valley will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018. And feel good as you huff—the race benefits the Alpine Rescue Team.

EVERGREENTOWNRACE.ORG

S T E A M B O AT M O V E M E N T FEST Steamboat, CO | August 9-12 Far more than yoga, this enlightened happening encourages conscious connection through music, movement and plenty of outdoor play.

STEAMBOATMOVEMENTFEST.COM

B O H E M I A N N I G H T S AT NEWWESTFEST Fort Collins, CO | August 10-12 This free community music festival features 80+ Colorado bands on six

ULITMATE SKYDIVING ADVENTURES

NEVER SUMMER 6 AND 24 HOUR ADVENTURE RACE Granby Ranch, CO | July 28 This fun mountain comp combines epic singletrack mountain biking, onand off-trail trekking and packrafting.

PICKI N ’ I N TH E PARK Paonia, CO | August 2 This four-show series, with two bands each night, is free to the public and features top notch music from around the country. Don’t Miss: More shows on August 9, 16, 23—and hard cider from Delicious Orchards.

BLUEGRASS.COM/ROCKYGRASS

TE LLURIDE JA ZZ FESTIVAL Telluride, CO | August 3-5 Insider tip: Camping passes for this iconic music festival cost just $59.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS • SOUTHERN AVENUE HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND • DRAGONDEER

lta County DeFRESH N CO LO R A DO M

THE DROPS IN THE GUNNISON GORGE NCA

SUNDAY, JUNE 24

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS • VINTAGE TROUBLE NICK MOSS BAND ~ DENNIS GRUENLING KARA GRAINGER • FUSE WORSHIP RENDEZVOUS EVENT CENTER AT HIDEAWAY PARK IN DOWNTOWN WINTER PARK, CO

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Rocky Mountain Festival Guide out in RiNo for three days of bands, brews and, oh yes, bicycles, too. stages of entertainment; more than 250 specialty, art and food booths; and a family-centered Kids’ Music Adventure and Kids’ World area.

BOHEMIANNIGHTS.ORG

RUN THE ROCKIES 10K/ H A L F M A R AT H O N Frisco, CO | August 11 Get ready to set a new PR on this fast course along the Ten Mile Range.

TOWNOFFRISCO.COM

DENVER SLOAN’S LAKE FINE ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL Sloan’s Lake Park, Denver, CO | August 11-12 Where else can you chill with local artists on long summer days under shade trees in the heart of Denver?

Live music performances include the Hazel Miller Band, Ponder The Albatross, Band On The Fence, Franny & The Jets, Tullis Blues and more.

COLORADOEVENTSANDFESTIVALS.COM

VE LOR AMA FESTIVAL Denver, CO | August 17-19 Glass Animals, Cold War Kids, Vince Staples, Matt and Kim, Rainbow Kitten, Surprise, The Kills... It’s time to rock

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VELORAMAFESTIVAL.COM

R O C K Y M O U N TA I N FOLKS FESTIVAL Lyons, CO | August 17-19 Kick back creekside on the Planet Bluegrass grounds and enjoy an all-star lineup this year, including Jeff Tweedy, Indigo Girls and Los Lobos.

BLUEGRASS.COM/FOLKS

K E Y S T O N E M O U N TA I N TOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL Keystone, CO | August 18 Blind Pilot and Lone Bellow take the main stage while local food vendors line the streets concocting their best Colorado peach recipes capped off with fireworks over the village to wrap up the evening.

KEYSTONEFESTIVALS.COM

WI NTE R PARK U NCORKE D WIN E FESTIVAL Winter Park, CO | August 18 Time to pop off! Hideaway Park will host this high-class event that includes wine tasting, food samples and live music. And effervesce at the champagne cork-off sponsored by Deno's Mountain Bistro.

PLAYWINTERPARK.COM

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 01 8

photo courtesy KEYSTONE

My Best Fest HOller !ween D I S C R E T E LY L O C AT E D J U S T OUTSIDE OF FORT COLLINS ALONG THE POUDRE RIVER I N , YO U G U E S S E D I T, L AT E OCTOBER, HOLLER!WEEN IS Q U I C K , E A S Y, L O W K E Y A N D “SCENE” FREE. COSTUMES A R E M A N D ATO R Y ! S TAY FOR ONE NIGHT OR TWO— C A M P, G L A M P, O R C AT C H THE FREE BUS BACK TO FOCO. POP BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN TWO H E AT E D V E N U E T E N T S , FOOD TRUCKS, A BONFIRE TO RIVAL HOMECOMING. M U S I C G O E S WAY PA S T YOUR BE DTIME AND THE RE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERY FAN—INDIE ROCK, HIP H O P, S P E E D G R A S S , A N D E LE C TRO -JA M TO N A M E A FEW. HOSTED BY 2014 TELLURIDE TROUBADOUR COMPETITION WINNER AND FRONTMAN OF THE HOLLER! MICHAEL K I R K PAT R I C K A LO N G W I T H T H E S U S TA I N A B L E L I V I N G A S S O C I AT I O N , HOLLER!WEEN HAS DOGF R I E N D LY C A M P I N G A N D YOUR FIRST FESTIVAL THEMED BEER IS FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE . BYOC— BRING YOUR OWN CUP ( AND SOME CANNED GOODS FOR THE FOOD BANK). CHILL AM YOGA YOGA INCLUDE D. — P AT T Y M A L E S H

photo courtesy ARISE

Saturday June 30

10am-6pm Rollans Park

50 September 22, 2018 www. royal50.com

Ridg way Colo.

A FREE festival for all ages with river races featuring the famous Junk of the Unc homemade watercraft competition

1 20

8

RIDE THE SCENIC

ROYAL GORGE PARK TRAILS

AND ENJOY A POST-RIDE FESTIVAL AT THE FAMOUS

ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE & PARK Live Music by

Telluride Bluegrass Band Contest Winner

Sugar & The Mint ridgwayriverfest.org

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Rocky Mountain Festival Guide A-LODGE FILM & MUSIC FEST Boulder, CO | August 23 Enjoy yet another rocking night of live music, beer, wine, food and the 24-foot outdoor projector screen on the sprawling A-Lodge lawn.

A-LODGE.COM photo courtesy ARISE

NEDFEST Nederland, CO | August 24-26 Nederland’s music and arts festival brings out the funk in Colorado's most core of mountain towns.

NEDFEST.ORG

TRINIDADDIO BLUES Trinidad, CO | August 25 Cruise down to the New Mexico border for this hot, end-of-

summer happening that features Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Kenny Neal, C.J. Chenier and more.

TRINIDADDIOBLUESFEST.COM

FOUR CORNERS FOLK FESTIVAL Pagosa Springs, CO August 31-September 2 The Wood Brothers, Los Lobos, The Drunken Hearts—they’re all coming to this year’s fete. Spend your downtime soaking in Pagosas steamy pools.

FOLKWEST.COM/ FOURCORNERSFOLKFESTIVAL

SE VE N PE AKS FESTIVAL Buena Vista, CO August 31-September 2 The Collegiate Peaks will echo with roots music at this summer’s big new festival: Country star Dierks Bentley, in partnership with Live Nation, will kick off the inaugural Seven Peaks Music Festival, a multi-stage country and bluegrass extravaganza.

SEVENPEAKSFESTIVAL.COM

SePteMBeR KEYSTONE OKTOBERFEST Keystone, CO | September 1 Dig out the the lederhosen and the dirndls and bring out the family for Keystone’s Oktoberfest. Earn your stein with the Das Bier Burner 5K funrun that kicks off the day.

KEYSTONEFESTIVALS.COM

My Best Fest arise ARISE IS FULL OF LOVING KINDNESS. I’VE GONE THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND I A LWAY S E X P E R I E N C E T H E M O S T S P O N TA N E O U S , S I L LY, S E R E N D I P I T O U S , A N D STRANGE INTERACTIONS I’VE EVER HAD—ALL OF THEM FULL OF LOVING KINDNESS. COMMUNITY HOLDS THE FESTIVAL TOG ETHE R: SOME OF MY FAVORITE ME MORIES A R E F R O M T H E YO G A T E N T, WHERE WRIGGLING AROUND ON THE GROUND AND MAKING ANIMAL SOUNDS ARE JUST PART OF TH E GAM E . ARISE IS A WELCOME BREAK FROM “ R E A L L I F E ” T H AT TA K E S YO U O F F A N D AWAY I N TO T H E SILLINESS AND ABSURDITY OF BEING A HUMAN. — K AT R I N A KO P E C K

S T E A M B O AT B I K E F E S T I VA L Steamboat, CO | September 6-9 Everyone can find a path on this weekend: Mountain bikers will take to the Steamboat mountain forest singletrack, road bikers can follow the highway through local ranch lands or up and over the mountain passes and families will cruise along Yampa River Core Trail.

STEAMBOATBIKETOWN.COM/ BIKE-FESTIVAL

june 2, 2018 • Lyons, Co lyonsburningCan.Com M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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ELEVATION OUTDOORS MAGAZINE

TOP SMALL ADVENTURE TOWN TOWNOFLYONS.COM

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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 01 8

Rocky Mountain Festival Guide My Best Fest keystone wine and jazz festival I HAVE DE VE LOPE D THE I D E A L WAY TO E N J OY T H I S C E L E B R AT I O N O F OENOPHILIA. I SHOW UP IN THE MORNING WITH MY 29ER AND RIDE THE DIRT ROADS 2,360 VERTICAL FEET TO THE TOP OF KEYSTONE’S RIVER RUN GONDOLA. I KICK IT IN THE SUNSHINE UP TOP FOR A B I T. I B O M B T H E TO U G H E S T BLUE DOWNHILL TRAILS MY CROSS-COUNTRY BIKE CAN HANDLE (BOY SCOUTS AND EYE OF THE TIGER). AND THEN I’M FREE TO WANDER T H E B A S E A R E A A N D TA S T E FROM OVE R 300 VARIETIES OF WINE, INCLUDING REFRESHING PROVENCE ROSES TO SURPRISES FROM COLORADO’S WESTERN SLOPE TO OLD VINE WINNERS FROM C A LI F O R N I A’ S C H A LO N E V I N E YA R D S . T H E N I C R AW L TO A HOTEL BED. IT'S MY PERFECT WEEKEND.

—DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

SEPTEMBERFEST EAGLE Eagle, CO | September 7-8 Break a sweat at the Mountain Rats at Septemberfest comps—a 50k, trail marathon and half marathon race on Saturday morning with the start and finish in Septemberfest's venue.

EAGLEOUTSIDE.COM

P I R AT E F E S T I VA L Northglenn, CO | September 14-15 Costumes are very much encouraged at this celebraton of arggh that includes a traditional pirate feast, pirate music, raucous dancing and a costume contest. Be sure to swing your sabre on Friday, September 14 at the Pirate's Ball for adults only.

THEPIRATEFEST.COM

GRANDOOZY Denver, CO |September 14-16 The new kid in festival town promises to make some noise with a lineup including Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine, Sturgill Simpson, the legendary Stevie Wonder and more transforming Denver’s Overland Park into Colorado's biggest party.

GRANDOOZY.COM

TELLURIDE BLUES AND BREWS Telluride, CO | September 14-16

photo courtesy ARISE

This fall classic will featue Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Gov’t Mule and more—oh, and plenty of hoppy refreshment. Extend the buzz with late-night concerts throughout town. TELLURIDEBLUES.COM

Lead King Basin or cheer the kids on as they run the 2.5k kids loop around Marble. Proceeds benefit the Marble Charter School.

LEADKINGLOOP25K.COM

COLORFEST WEEKEND Pagosa Springs, CO | September 14-16 Celebrate the peaceful, easy feeling of small-town Americana at this fall shindig that will wow you with a colorful hot air balloon mass ascension in downtown Pagosa Springs.

EPIC BREWING 50 FIRKIN BEER FIASCO Denver, CO | September 20 Head to Epic’s RiNo taproom to sample 50 unique firkins—a.k.a. cask conditoned ales, or “real ales,” ales brewed in their container with natural ingredients—and get down with live music and at this sixth annual fest.

VISITPAGOSASPRINGS.COM

EPICBREWING.COM

LEAD KING LOOP CHARITY RACES Marble, CO | September 16 Run, walk, or hike the 25k loop around

G R E AT A M E R I C A N B E E R FESTIVAL Denver, CO | September 20-22 The world's greatest gathering of

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Rocky Mountain Festival Guide of roots music at this fall shindig. brews and those who make and imbibe them goes down (where else?) in craft-beer central. Designate a driver.

GREATAMERICANBEERFESTIVAL.COM

R OYA L 5 0 M O U N TA I N B I K E RACE Cañon City, CO | September 22 Turn your cranks on the outstanding Royal Gorge Park Trails. Sign up for a rugged race on either the 50- or 20-mile singletrack course and then celebrate at a post-ride party with music, food and plenty of beer at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.

ROYAL50.COM

PARKE R FI N E ARTS & M US IC FESTIVAL Parker, CO | September 22-23 Pack up the family and head to this relaxing event where you can view work by national artists (and maybe bring something home) and then find a seat and enjoy local acts performing on the Festival Stage.

COLORADOEVENTSANDFESTIVALS.COM

M O U N TA I N H A R V E S T Paonia, CO | September 22-23 Tour the local wineries and farms and lace up your boots for a full lineup

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MOUNTAINHARVESTFESTIVAL.ORG

FOLK' N ' FL AN N E L FESTIVAL & FUNDRAISER Deckers, CO | September 28-30 UpaDowna’s good-time event is a camping fundraiser, complete with live music, tasty food, cold beer, epic adventures and beautiful scenery up in the mountains of Colorado.

UPADOWNA.ORG

14ER FEST Buena Vista, CO | September 28-30 This homegrown Buena Vista fest brings together all disciplines of outdoor play: off-roading, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing and trail running. Add in trail events, clinics, camping, live music and local libations and you have the premier event celebrating life among the peaks.

14ERFEST.COM

OCtOBeR THE HOLLER!WEEN XVI Fort Collins, CO | October TBD Stay tuned for details on the 16th edition of Michael Kirkpatrick’s costumes-required good-time ball.

MICHAELKIRKPATRICKMUSIC.COM

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 01 8

photo by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

12 HOURS OF PENITENCE MTB RACE Penitente Canyon, San Luis Valley, CO October 13 Put your endurance to the test in the San Luis Valley in the fourthannual iteration of this local favorite.

Sign up to race solo, duo or trio teams on the epic 17-mile course.

12HOURSOFPENITENCE.COM

7TH ANNUAL HARD CIDER FEST Hotchkiss, CO | October 27 Taste cider from all over Colorado at Big B's Delicious Orchards annual

Hard Cider Fest. Top it off with fingerlickin’ BBQ, live music all day long and community camping in the orchard.

BIGBS.COM

NOVeMBeR NITRO FEST Longmont, CO | November 11 It's a gas, gas, gas. Left Hand Brewing Foundation will host this fifth annual nitro-exclusive beer festival. That feeling that it just got crazy? It’s not the beer. The fest hires circus acts and encourages costumes.

LEFTHANDBREWING.COM

EST.

N

2003

Mountain Dress code

Mountain Khakis Flagship Store 1412 Larimer Square Denver, CO

(303) 505-1566 Mountainkhakis.com

BEST GEAR LAT

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LONG

120.9360° W

0 5 .1 8

SWAG FOR THE SCENE

These 10 nifty must-haves will make your festival season a success.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN ACTION WIPES Truly, the name says it all. From sweaty armpits to baby bottoms to gunked-up bike frames these all-natural, vegan (don't laugh, the festival crowd will ask) wipes can save even the nastiest of days. $22; lifeelements.com TARPESTRY CLASSIC Delineate your personal fest space or haul this lovely tarp out into the backcountry for an impromptu picnic—when you’re back at the camp, wrap it up over your stuff to protect it from the rain. It features soft cotton on top and a water-repellent base underneath. $125; tarpestry.com TOAD & CO. SUNKISSED ROMPER Our female testers frolicked in this versatile, all-organic piece. Light, airy and cute, s ideal for summer days of chilling to music and short hikes aways from the crowds. $89; toadandco.com ENO LOUNGER DL CAMP CHAIR Kick it at the show or back in front of your van in this comfy nylon seat that lowers to conform to most festival chairheight rules. The built-in beverage holder’s a big plus, too. $125; eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com OTTERBOX TROOPER LT 30 A soft-sided cooler that can chill your brews and egg salad sandwiches has become required gear at any festival. No portable ice box lived up to the task better than this 30-liter backpack, that stands up on its own and proves easy to shoulder on to the next party. $300; otterbox.com TRAILKEG GALLON GROWLER Whether your quencher is homemade kombucha or Uplope’s Experimental IPA, this wide-mouth growler will keep it cool on hot summer days. $90; trailkeg.com 686 EVERYWHERE PANT One pant to rule them all, the 12-ounce, breathable, nylonand-stretch Everywhere Pant lives up to its name. It’s tough and light enough to serve as your go-to hiking pant and features 10 pockets—perf for travel or tromping around festival grounds. $80; 686.com TVLA BALANCE BLOCK Add to your alignment enlightenment at that morning yoga session. This eco-friendly, easy-to-grip prop comes from new Boulder-based brand TVLA, which dedicates a percentage of profits to animal shelters. $26; tvlashop.com OBOZ CAMPSTER Meet the ultimate active slacker kick. The airy Campster slips on and secures with a heel strap and can survive weekends of dancing and messy reveling, but it’s no pushover. A light-but-sturdy outsole invites a short hike, paddle or rock-hop in the creek. $90; obozfootwear.com MOUNTAIN MIX COLORING BOOK Put the phone away. Here’s the perfect way to access a tad of unplugged creativity while waiting between sets.

Kickstarter-driven, this crayon pallet suits mountain-loving kids and adults and comes from the brian of Driggs, Idahobased artist Cy Whitling. $30; bemorestoked.com

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Everything we design, from trail shoes to our new ultralight adventure sandal, deliver an unmatched fit, feel and performance for wherever the trail may lead. ObozFootwear.com

Our O FIT Insole™ adds the unmatched fit, feel and performance for wherever the trail may lead. ObozFootwear.com

M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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WEAR YOUR GEAR FOR

Wear any 10 Barrel gear to the pub on Rockies home game days and get $3 beers for an hour before, during, and hour after the game!

10BARREL.COM/pubs/Denver

2620 WALNUT STREET DENVER, CO. 80205

720.573.8992

THE LIFE

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OH, THE GUYS YOU WILL MEET!

Are you intimately familiar with the characters who populate the mountain town music fest? You know that one guy? Yeah, that guy…

by PADDY O’CONNELL

L

ast September, I enjoyed the head-bobbing tunes of Telluride’s Blues and Brews festival. If you’ve never been, go. If you’ve been before, go again. Few festival locations can boast the jaw-dropping appeal of Telluride’s box canyon with its natural acoustics and jagged thirteeners looming above the main stage. The music is, of course, the main draw, followed by the dumplings, the corndogs, the chicken sammies and all the rest of the insanely delectable fest food. But what I truly love is the people watching—and I notice there are always certain disinctive types. The following guys populate every Blues and Brews I’ve ever attended. I bet you know them, too.

BEARDED DREADY GUY

This unkempt human is way into the festival, like waaaaay into it. Bearded Dready Guy is probably also deeply committed to selling river rocks and necklace beads made from quartz. He makes his own clothes and will dance exactly the same—the smiling hippie sway—no matter the genre of music or tempo. He responds to “Jah.”

SHIRTLESS SHOELESS GUY

He entered fully clothed, but the festival vibes effervesced with such fury, his shirt and shoes evaporated in a foggy tie-dyed puff. Or they’re at the bottom of a puddle somewhere. No matter. Shirtless Shoeless Guy, soon to be Extremely Sunburnt Guy, is frontand-center shaking his thing—though he might not make nightfall without a hops-infused snooze.

CARGO SHORTS GUY

CSG needs to carry a lot of stuff with him, I guess. He may pair his multipocketed cargo shorts with a braided leather belt and a cell phone holster.

He may be wearing one of those giant, techy sun hats the size of a satellite dish. The sunscreen on his face is never fully absorbed.

TRYING TO FEST LIKE YOU’RE 20 BUT NOW YOU’RE 40 AND HAVE A FAMILY GUY

This rad dad probably used to be

Bearded Dready Guy or Shirtless Shoeless Guy. Now he has a haircut and a child or two. He still parties hard but he’s responsible…ish.

DANCING MAKING OUT OLD COUPLE

Also known as Life Goals Couple. This is the couple we all hope we grow up to be. They’re tie-dyed, may have a fanny pack or two—and they can’t stop dancing together. They’re in love, just as in love as when they attended their first fest together some umpteen million years ago. Their make out sessions may not look as sexy as they used to but they’re still making out.

And that’s cool, that’s really cool.

SUPER-TAN BATHING SUIT COUPLE

These two incredibly bronzed humans wear bathing suits for the entire festival. Where they disappear to at night, nobody knows. But during the day, they hold hands and strut their sun-kissed bods around the fest grounds. Oilier than your corndog.

close-talk you. He will do this for an uncomfortably long time and try to convince you that you know each other.

Many stories will be told, many stories.

Still, this guy does not know you.

INFLATABLE HAMMOCK GUY

The loungiest of loungers, he runs about in an attempt to inflate one of those giant blow-up hammocks that look like the subject of a Georgia O’Keefe painting (yada-yada, if ya know what I mean).

RED AND BLACK FLANNEL GUY

This ubiquitous furry-button-downwearing bro also has super duper skinny jeans on and his Red Wing boots have never seen dirt. He is Instagrammably adorable. His manicured shadow beard may have glitter within it…or smells of cinnamon and nutmeg.

SOCKS AND SANDALS GUY

This is just a baby. This is just a baby at the festival.

THE HEY, I KNOW YOU GUY

BACKPACK GUY

He doesn’t know you, but the 37 beers and whatever else he’s downed make him think otherwise. Prepare for “interesting” mouth aromas and a bit of spittle when he pushes past your personal space bubble to

WE DON'T MEAN TO OFFEND, BUT THIS CAST OF CHARACTERS YOU WILL SEE THIS SUMMER ARE JUST SO OFFENSIVE. illustration by CRAIG SNODGRASS, @SNODGRASSART

POOP YOUR PANTS GUY

This older gentleman is closely linked to Cargo Shorts Guy. He pays no mind to fashion faux pas. He seeks only groovy tunes and comfortable feet.

Nothing says “it’s time to party” like wool socks and leather sandals.

BABY GUY

THE LOSER LINEUP

Find him in the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in front of the main stage, at a packed post-fest bar or waddling and bumping through the hordes of a late night concert. Can’t locate him? Don’t worry. He’ll find you.

You’ll know when you find him.

SSSHH GUY

This hombre’s ponytail is bound a little too tight. He never dances. His arms are almost always crossed. And he wants everyone to be quiet. “Ssshhh,” he says.

Because at a mountainous rock-n-roll concert, no one wants to hear the sounds of other people’s enjoyment.

THAT GUY

Either you or someone in your group will spot this guy and yell, “Hey, look at that guy!” It seems he may be at the wrong festival. He dances wildly and hard and a little too fast and pretty off tempo but kind of on tempo. He’s goofy and strange and laughable…but he’s having a good time. Maybe he’s having the best time. He’s chuckling and people around him are smiling too. He’s getting a lot of high fives.

That Guy is the best guy.

Writer guy Paddy O’Connell is a freelance creator, focusing on storytelling and multimedia production. Originally from Chicago, Paddy O is a combination of a Midwestern upbringing and an extreme love of the mountains and the passions they hold.

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ADVENTURE LIVES

HERE

IT STARTS WITH AN

INCLINE OFF THE BEATEN PATH

DiscoverNWNebraska.com @NWNebraska

CHADRON CRAWFORD HARRISON 48

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 01 8

HEAR THIS

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THE BEST FESTIVAL FINDS

With so much music packed into our annual festival guide, it’s hard to sort out all the options. A sure bet. Don’t miss these five sizzling acts performing at Rocky Mountain Festivals this summer.

by JEDD FERRIS I’M WITH HER THE BUZZ: Telluride Bluegrass is where it all started for folk supergroup I’m With Her. Back in 2014, members of the Punch Brothers needed an opening act for a late-night gig at the festival, so they asked Aoife O’Donovan, formerly of Crooked Still, to put something special together. She enlisted Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek and Grammy-winner Sarah Jarosz. After just a few hours of rehearsal, the impromptu trio was born. The musicians found immediate chemistry—no surprise for acoustic music fans who know them—and vowed to play together more often when schedules allowed.

Sporadic gigs followed, but, this year, members are giving I’m With Her full attention. In February, the group released a debut full-length album, “See You Around,” which was co-produced by the trio and Ethan Johns (who has also worked with Paul McCartney and Ryan Adams). Mixing emotive three-part harmonies and sophisticated string arrangements, the record is a potent acoustic statement that highlights the power of three beautiful voices coming together. A busy summer on the road will bring the group full circle for a repeat showcase at Town Park in 2018.

APPEARING AT: Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival THE SOUL REBELS THE BUZZ: Everyone needs a blast of New Orleans

brass from time to time to stomp the blues away, and this eight-piece ensemble delivers the goods. The Soul Rebels are well versed in traditional Crescent City sounds, but the group also uses powerful horn lines to deliver brass-band-style covers of beloved pop, rock and hip-hop songs. At The Soul Rebels’ energetic live shows, crowds can be dancing to a funky second-line groove one minute, then singing along to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” or the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” the next. The big band’s ability to incorporate a wide breadth of musical styles has led to collaborations with a diverse range of artists—from Nas and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to Pretty Lights and Marilyn Manson. When home, The Soul Rebels play a weekly residency at NOLA’s Le Bon Temps Roule, but they’ve been branching out to win over audiences at festivals around the world. No matter the stage, the band always throws a huge party.

APPEARING AT: Grandoozy Music Festival TYLER CHILDERS THE BUZZ: If you’re digging the recent work of outlaw

revivalists Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson, give a listen to fellow Kentuckian Tyler Childers. Like his predecessors, Childers has a knack for delivering compelling tales about the hard-luck realities of rural life in the South. The gritty tunesmith worked the regional bar scene for years, and, after a gig in Nashville, he met Simpson, who agreed to

produce Childers’ debut album, “Purgatory.” The record, released last fall, showcases Childers’ keen observations and vivid story songs about small-town culture and the seedy side of Appalachia, delivered through old-school country, ragged backroads rock, and shades of bluegrass. Since his album’s release, Childers’ popularity is on the rise. In addition to opening for John Prine and Margo Price, he’s been selling out increasingly larger venues on his own.

APPEARING AT: Ride Festival BILLY STRINGS THE BUZZ: Bluegrass wunderkind Billy Strings (born

William Apostol) is a flat-picking guitar ace who blends precise chops with fast and furious energy.

The fresh-faced string slinger is in his mid-20s but he’s already landed slots at high-profile festivals and shared the stage with genre masters, including David Grisman and Bryan Sutton, who joins Strings for a guitar duet on his debut album, “Turmoil & Tinfoil.” Strings’ dad—an amateur bluegrass picker who taught his son traditional songs early in life before the youngster rebelled and joined a metal band in his teenage years—also appears on the LP. An excitingly tense mixture of those influences runs through the record as Strings and his tight band charge forward with nimble-fingered fret acrobatics.

Fans of jamgrass acts like Greensky Bluegrass and the Infamous Stringdusters will appreciate “Meet Me at the Creek,” an epic 10-minute shredder that takes acoustic music into the psychedelic wilderness.

APPEARING AT: Telluride Bluegrass Festival and YarmonyGrass MARY GAUTHIER THE BUZZ: Nashville-based Mary Gauthier is a well-

THE HOT TICKETS beloved (and recorded)

by Tim McGraw, Jimmy BILLY STRINGS (TOP Buffett and Blake Shelton.

LEFT) WILL SHOW OFF HIS PICKING VIRTUOSITY She also claims a lengthy IN TELLURIDE, MARY catalog of her own albums, GAUTHIER WILL SING dating back to the late SONGS CO-WRITTEN BY ’90s, which contain VETS AT FOLKS FEST, AND THE SOUL REBELS deeply confessional songs (BOTTOM) WILL GET tackling her struggles BUTTS MOVING AT THE with relationships and NEW GRANDOOZY FEST. addiction. On her latest photos by (clockwise from top record, though, she right) MICHAEL WEINTROB, LAURA PARTAIN, COURTESY decided to highlight THE SOUL REBELS the trials of others, collaborating with wounded combat veterans to tell their stories in song. “Riffles & Rosary Beads,” released back in January, features 11 unflinching folk tracks, each co-written by Gauthier and a different veteran. SongwritingWith: Soldiers, a nonprofit that pairs members of the military with professional songwriters to craft songs and ultimately help them cope with the aftermath of combat, coordinated the project. With a rich voice (think Lucinda Williams) and poignant turns of phrase, Gauthier documents accounts of real hardships—from a mother forced to leave her baby for combat in Afghanistan (“Brothers”) to a vet having trouble finding purpose back home after active duty (“Soldiering On”).

APPEARING AT: Folks Fest

Jedd Ferris is the Senior Editor of EO’s sister publication, Blue Ridge Outdoors. He also works as a freelancer and covers music for the Washington Post. He’s looking forward to getting nostalgic at a Weezer and Pixies double-bill show this summer.

established singer-songwriter whose tunes are M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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Take advantage of all that Copper has to offer this summer June 9-10: Colorado Days June 17: Concert June 22-24: Attack of the Big Beers Festival June 27-29: Fjällräven Classic June 30-July 1: Concert July 7-8: Copper Mountain Music Fest

JULY 6-8, 2018

July 14: Under Armour Trail Run and Triple Bi-Pass July 20-22: Courage Classic

COME OUT AND PLAY. YOUR COLORADO SUMMER IS CALLING. Nothing quite compares to a music festival with friends and family in the heart of the Rocky

July 28-29: Mac & Cheese Fest August 4-5: Copper Triangle August 10: Ragnar Relay August 10-12: Guitar Town

Mountains. The 4th annual Copper Mountain Music

August 17-19: Copper Crush Wine Fest

Fest features bluegrass and Americana artists from

August 24-25: Cider Circus

around the country. Admission is FREE!

September 1-2: Copper Country September 8-9: Colorado Days September 15: Concert

COPPERCOLORADO.COM

T H E R OA D

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WE’LL MEET IN THE MOUNTAINS When two brothers take the time to drive hundreds of miles to reconnect with each other in the high peaks of Chicago Basin, they finally tick off an adventure they had planned since childhood and reconnect to what keeps them going in a busy world.

BY BRYCE MITCHELL AND ADAM MITCHELL ADAM: I glance down at my phone—it’s my brother, Bryce. Curious to hear how he is getting on with his new position at work, I answer. Somewhere between anecdotes about co-workers and his new meal-prepping regimen, he mentions that he’ll have an extra day off during the Fourth of July holiday. Now, he has my attention. I quickly switch the conversation from packing chicken breasts to pitching climbing destinations. I begin computing the distance to the nearest alpine spots within striking distance for a summer rendezvous. Although rock climbing season where I live in central Arizona has been quite satisfying, I’m feeling the call of Colorado’s higher peaks.

FOURTEENER SNAPSHOT ADAM, BRYCE, KYLE AND DAN STAND ATOP THE SAN JUANS. THE TRIP SERVED TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE MILITARY NON-PROFIT, U.S. EXPEDITIONS AND EXPLORATIONS (USX). photo courtesy ADAM MITCHELL

I know one thing is certain: My brother will always be willing to meet me in Colorado to explore. We will always grow closer here. This knowledge keeps me grounded. It keeps us close.

“You know we’ve been talking about tackling the Chicago Basin fourteeners for too long,” I say.

That's all it takes: The plan is set.

Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, southwest Colorado has always been a special place for my brother and me. From ski trips to Purgatory, Wolf Creek and Telluride to fishing the Animas with our dad, Colorado has been our most important escape. But somehow, with all of those trips to the Centennial state, one big objective, the Chicago Basin Fourteeners, four of the state’s most famous summits stacked up in one place, has always eluded us. No longer.

BRYCE: Last summer, I was living out on the flat desert of west Texas, stuck six hours away from anything remotely resembling a mountain, snacking on sunflower seeds to stay awake at work, and growing restless. My brother Adam was adjusting to corporate life in Phoenix, writing line after line of computer code. But mountains are in our blood. As brothers, we learned to love them through Scouting and exploring the Rockies. When I was 13 and Adam was 12, we both just missed the age limit for our scout troop’s high adventure trip into Chicago Basin and it’s four fourteeners: Mt. Eolus, North Eolus, Windom Peak, and Sunlight Peak. But the older boys’ stories captivated us and we always dreamed of making the journey ourselves.

As the years passed and I attended college in Colorado Springs and Adam studied in Albuquerque, we made regular trips in Colorado—across the Sangre de Cristo, Sawatch and Front Range—but the San Juans still remained a mystery.

So I called Adam.

We decided to dedicate our backpacking weekend to a military non-profit, U.S. Expeditions

and Explorations (USX), which my friend Harold Earls founded to allow veterans and active duty military personnel to meld the healing power of the wilderness with scientific research projects at high elevations.

We thought that the trip could raise awareness of veterans’ mental health issues and suicide, and I would also wear an ECG heart rate monitor to collect data on the altitude’s impact on my cardiovascular system.

Besides the two of us, we needed a fit and motivated crew. Two of my friends, Kyle and Dan, had recently completed a 50mile Grand Canyon ultra and when presented with the idea, they eagerly agreed. With the crew assembled, the trip was set. The Mitchell brothers and company were heading back to Colorado.

ADAM: The mountains mean so much to me as does spending time with my best friend, my older brother.

When you end up living in different states, you need to make the time to connect and our best time together occurs in the mountains. The time and distance floats away, and no matter what we are going through, there is nothing a weekend together in the hills won’t mend.

With bags in the trunk and good friends ahead, I put the hustle of Phoenix in the rearview mirror. After 12 hours on the road, I meet up with Bryce, Kyle and Dan in Durango. The night before our trip, we discuss the approach, review gear and explain self-arresting techniques. I give my rendition of what we’ll witness the following morning as we catch our first glimpse of the snow-topped mountains towering above. This would be Dan and Kyle’s first trip in Colorado and their first time breathing the crisp, fresh air of the Rockies.

Dan stops me with laughing, and exclaims, “Bryce said the exact same thing in the car ride over here! You guys are both really into this Colorado stuff, and now M AY 2 01 8 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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you’re completing each other’s sentences.” I laugh and continue my story. Anyone who knows Bryce or me is all too familiar with our Colorado tales.

The train ride along the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad opens the gate to our San Juan experience. Surrounded by dozens of fellow hikers, it’s easy to make friends: The car is filled with climbing stories and advice. We’re all so carefree. I feel like I’ve been whisked back to a time when a hearty few mined silver from these mountains. At last the train empties 60 people near the bank of the Animas River. Eager to find the best camping spots, we begin the six-mile hike into the basin and set up our weekend basecamp.

Early the next morning, I crawl out of my tent, awakened by the brisk, pre-dawn air. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot two sets of glowing orbs floating in the dark. They turn away from me and seemingly proceed to collide in space with a loud crash. Slightly startled, I fumble to turn on my headlamp—I see two mountain goats fighting for dominance over the small hill we naively regarded as our weekend home. With our flashlights on the goats, they prance off, leaving us their hill. As my heart rate settles, I muster the confidence to dim my headlight again in order to capture the Milky Way still visible above us in its summertime splendor.

BRYCE: It’s 4:45 a.m. at 11,700 feet of elevation deep within Chicago Basin. The pace of our tight-knit group of four has been brisk and efficient. We’ve been hiking for over an hour and, surprisingly, we didn’t even require caffeine to set our minds for the day’s task. When you’ve

AT LONG LAST THE MITCHELL BROTHERS HAD DREAMED ABOUT THE PEAKS OF CHICAGO BASIN SINCE THEIR DAYS AS BOY SCOUTS. ALL IT TOOK WAS A PHONE CALL TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. photo courtesy BRYCE MITCHELL

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driven as far as we have, you don’t squander your opportunity to tag a summit with a lazy start.

Past the 12,000-foot mark, Dan and Kyle are experiencing their first taste of Colorado’s thin air. In fact, with each step above 9,000 feet, the accomplished ultra runners have both broken their previous personal elevation records. Having experienced altitude sickness in the past, I kept an eye on their carefree gait and presciently remind them to keep a manageable pace.

At 12,500 feet, we ascend to the Twin Lakes Plateau.

The dawn light reflects off the partially frozen lakes. From this elevated position, two of basin’s peaks—Windom and Sunlight with its daunting spire—come into full view.

That omnious Sunlight Spire is single pitch block slab that joined the ranks of Colorado’s fourteeners only after recent altitude revisions. It’s now widely considered the toughest fourteener in the state.

Just as I begin to explain the Sunlight Spire’s difficulty to Kyle, a climber joins us at the water’s edge.

Glancing upward, he says nonchalantly, “I’m climbing that today. I’ve got gear for two, now I just need a partner. Have any of you done trad?” I shoot Adam a look that says, not today. But in an unspoken agreement, Adam and I both know that we will be back with the proper gear, and expertise to climb the Spire—but today is not that day. We politely decline. Our climbing friend renews his search and we refocus on the task at hand.

The four of us begin trudging up a 1,100-foot steep scree and snow field. It’s the type of loose rock underfoot that makes you feel like you’re sliding back half a step with each footfall. We put our heads down and push onward. Kyle and Dan ran 50-miles in the Grand Canyon and they both understand that suffering is only temporary, but the sustained incline is rough. As for me, I love this humbling scramble: A combination of my high-altitude euphoria and the view of the basin floor below fuels my smile. I’m so grateful to be back in the mountains of Colorado.

ADAM: There’s a bold serenity I feel outside, hours before daybreak, hands pocketed for warmth and eyes locked on the starlit sky. At moments like these, I understand the significance mountain landscapes play in renewing my soul and in my relationship with Bryce. Our shared enthusiasm for remote places invited us to visit and we answered the call.

An hour later, we were making our way to through the basin past the half frozen Twin Lakes. Having stomped up the slushy switchbacks, and across snowmelt streams, we can see today’s undertakings, Sunlight and Windom Peak, for the first time. The morning light illuminated our route up a snow-filled gully, wth boulders and patches of scree protruding along the path. As the minutes turned to hours, we slid onwards through the snowy scree, until we finally reached the saddle and began a scramble up. One misplaced step here could be very costly—we clamber over large boulders with several hundred feet of exposure on either side. As we continued on, we heard the faint sound of muffled conversation and the ruffling of snacks. We knew our first summit was close. Thankfully, Chicago Basin was gracious in allowing our crew this first victory and we joined a group of others at the top of Sunlight Peak. What a Fourth of July! We celebrated by hoisting an American flag. It’s moments like these that fuel my passions for the outdoors and continue to strengthen the everlasting bond between brothers.

BRYCE: No sooner had the trip began, than it was over. From the train ride Durango to Needleton to the successful traverse between Sunlight and Windom to the early morning wake-ups and the late afternoon alpine ice baths (that kept our legs refreshed and ready for the next days mileage), it all occurred so quickly. Thankfully, the trip was a success. Kyle and Dan got their first tastes of Colorado mountaineering, and I collected data while

wearing the ECG heart rate monitor. In total, we hiked three mountains, covered twenty-six miles, and ascended 12,000 vertical feet. We didn’t hit all of our objectives: Shifting weather forced us to turn back before attempting Mt. Eolus, but summit fever, has driven too many climbers into bad situations. We decided to stay smart and safe.

Here’s what really matters: Colorado and her mountains continue to connect two brothers in a constantly shifting world. Before leaving the basin, Adam and I agree that we will return to try our luck on the Sunlight Spire and climb Mt. Eolus. The mountains and Colorado really do keep pulling us back. As we grow older, as we advance in our careers, and move further apart to follow jobs across the country, I know one thing is certain: My brother will always be willing to meet in Colorado to explore.

We will always grow closer here. This knowledge keeps me grounded. It keeps us close. Mountains continue to inspire us and we both long for those days we can experience them together again.

Bryce Mitchell is an explorer, budding mountaineer and writer. He lives in the Republic of Korea and enjoys climbing rock and ice and exploring historical sites wherever he travels. You can follow his adventures on Melanin Basecamp (melaninbasecamp.com).

Adam Mitchell is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys climbing rocks, lugging his camera wherever he goes, and finding himself while getting lost in the mountains. He lives in the southwest working as a software developer.

During his free time when he is not outside weekend warrioring, he also writes for Melanin Basecamp.

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IT GOES TO ELEVEN

I’ve discovered that alongside Jimi Hendrix’s legendary guitar work, it’s the warmth of his voice and genius of his lyrics that make his songs sound nothing short of celestial.

Live music can set you free. It’s time to listen to your body, and stop taking yourself so seriously.

by PETER KRAY

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ne recent warm spring day, driving down the road with the windows down and singing an impassioned backup to Brandi Carlile’s “Sugartooth,” I looked in the mirror and laughed at myself. I laughed at how good it felt to get lost in music. I laughed at how free warm weather can make you feel. And after a long, dry, dark winter, I laughed at how silly I was for taking everything—myself in particular—so seriously.

Music is one thing many of us seem to take far too seriously. You are sure to start a flame war if you should denigrate or praise the talents of, say, the Eagles in a Facebook post. I ceratinly take part in these fights: From disco to heavy metal, jam band to country, jazz to punk, rap to pop, there isn’t a genre I haven’t mocked ever since junior high (and often in this column). I take pride in getting all music snobby based solely upon the conceit that, at least at that given moment, someone else’s genre doesn’t appeal to me.

My snobbery is misguided, of course. So many of my favorite life memories are rooted not in caring about what music is the critical best but just in enjoying it: Those moments of seaweed swaying to the Grateful Dead with the tie-dyed hippies at Red Rocks, stage diving at the iconic Mercury Café when Black Flag took Denver by storm back in the ’80s or be-bopping to cool jazz at the storied El Chapultepec in downtown Denver on a cold winter night with an Avalung Pack on my back (alongside Doug Schnitzspahn, the editor of this magazine).

Whenever I need a way to feel good in a hurry, I find that music transports me to a place of calm confidence almost immediately. I get lost in it.

In tough times, I’ve forgotten my own blues and discovered that alongside Jimi Hendrix’s legendary guitar work, it’s the warmth of his voice and genius of his lyrics that make his songs sound nothing short of celestial. Over the hectic days of Christmas, I incessantly clicked on Youtube to watch Eminem’s rap battles in the film 8 Mile. And every now and then I queue up Ryan Adam’s cover of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” just to pretend the person playing that first strum of the guitar is me.

Yet the internal and external critics always seem to slip in: Polarizing music is something we seem to do instinctually. We love to say what sucks, or what rocks, after listening to just a couple of chords, or a medley. We have countless websites and rooms full of publications and books dedicated to arguing the merits of the greatest albums and bands of all time, trying to forever cement Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones, Michael Jackson, Prince, Kanye or Adele in their proper place in the acoustic hierarchy.

But why do we have to always make it so complicated? People have been dancing to sounds since the first time someone started pounding on a piece of wood with a rock. Music is a human necessity. All that should matter is whether whatever form of music you’re listening to makes you want to move your body.

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Illustration by Kevin Howdeshell / THEBRAVEUNION.COM

A

ll this raving about what is essential to music makes me remember Vern, one of my supervisors when I taught skiing at Jackson Hole way back in the day. A tall, ice-blue-eyed, snow white-haired, snow-white-mustached man with such a thick Minnesota accent that for a year I thought he had come straight from Norway, Vern had an impeccably smooth, graceful style both on the ski hill and on the dance floor.

During the day, Vern would help everyone from beginners to experts to young instructors like myself maximize their experience and efficiency on the snow with a minimum of words and a direct, patient style. Then at night, he would head straight to the Mangy Moose, where he would be one of the first people two-stepping below the stage the minute the band began to play. He would dance with anyone and everyone, working the floor all night with swiveling hips and a serene smile.

Unlike some of the other mentors who have been kind enough to share their time and experience— especially during those first formative years of true independence—I can’t think of anything in particular that Vern ever told me, only that he inspired me.

Enough to decide that it was he, out of all the other free spirits in that ski school, who put the big red and black “Support Live Music” sticker on the toolbox in our collective tuning room.

It took me a while to appreciate the sentiment, preferring the peace of the outdoors and alpine isolation above everything else. But after observing the mantric, music-inspired moves of Vern, then losing myself in the rhythms of a persistent backbeat, and reveling in the unscripted communal joy of dancing with friends and strangers through the waves and pulsations of a blistering set, I began to take the saying to heart. I began to believe that “supporting live music,” is good for the soul—and necessary for the heart.

I don’t say this just as a call to keep a bunch of musicians on the job. I say it more the way you might ask your friends and neighbors to support their local businesses, and sheriff, and firefighters, as an ongoing way to bind together a vibrant, close-knit, more mutually supportive community.

Of course, music is also a way to help stay mentally healthy—which isn’t news to anybody with a radio. “Dancing in the Streets,” “One Love,” “Happy,” or whatever this summer’s feel good song turns out to be, it should be more than enough inspiration to dance more and stress less.

Now go shake your booty!

—ELEVATION OUTDOORS EDITOR-AT-LARGE PETER KRAY IS THE AUTHOR OF THE GOD OF SKIING. THE BOOK HAS BEEN CALLED “THE GREATEST SKI NOVEL OF ALL TIME.” DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE? YOU CAN BUY IT HERE: AMZN.TO/2FSA2WR

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