Elevation Outdoors December 2017

DIG IN TO THE ULTIMATE WINTER GUIDE TO GEAR AND ADVENTURE DECEMBER 2017

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THE BEST

GEAR

OF THE SEASON

THE 2017 GIFT GUIDE BLUES AND BREWS

FOREVER

TROPICAL

ESCAPES THE YEAR’S BEST MUSIC

TAKING

BACK BEARS EARS HOOTCH

PERFECT DAY

IN OURAY A-BASIN

OPENS UP

LOCAL

UNLOCK KEYSTONE

SNOWSHOE TO THE PEAKS

BIKE TO SKI

EST.

N

2003

gift giving headquarters

Mountain Khakis Flagship Store 1412 Larimer Square Denver, CO

(303) 505-1566 MountainKhakis.com

G I B GOEIR GIFT FROM BENTGATE.

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2017

GE T T H

GENTLE GIANTS SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS IN THE YUCATAN IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. SEE PAGE 24. photo courtesy MARK GOING / COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR

DEPARTMENTS

’S O D A R O L CO Y R T N U O C BACK ST I L A I C E P S

7 EDITOR’S LETTER Tuning in to Iceland Airwaves

8 QUICK HITS

A-Basin opens new terrain, ski to dinner, Jim Herrington’s The Climbers and more...

14 FLASHPOINT

The Four Corners School is bringing native kids to the lands of their ancestors.

OARD B T I L P S / I SK TALS N E R Y V A &

FEATURES

24 DIVE INTO THESE TROPICAL ESCAPES

Get dive certified in Colorado and then light out to these warm, blue waters in Mexico, Tobago and Hawai’i.

27 BIKE INTO SKI SHAPE

Olympian Ann Trombley will get you in top ski shape with these bike exercises.

17 THE TRAIL

37 THE 2017 WINTER PEAK GEAR AWARDS

18 HOT SPOT

40 GIFT GUIDE

Download the free ViewRanger app and tour deep in the James Peak Wilderness.

At Keystone, you'll find everything from cat skiing to a kids’ cooking festival.

21 NUMEROLOGY

Twice a year praise the gear we love and use every day when we get outside and play. Here are the winners.

Unsure what to get the outdoorsy guy or girl in your life? We have you covered.

Drink up this data on Colorado booze.

23 STRAIGHT TALK

CSU’s Mark Gasta raps on adventure.

43 HEAR THIS

We run down the best music of 2017.

44 THE ROAD

Want to be a ski bum for life? It’s simple.

Start your own festival.

46 ELWAYVILLE

Peter Kray seeks Christmas spirit.

Want more?

MARK MORRIS cco JEFF CRICCO @jeffcri TR VAIL BACKCOUN Y

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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

Catch up on past issues, your favorite bloggers and daily online content at ElevationOutdoors.com ON THE COVER: ATOMIC’S HAWX ULTRA XTD AND DPS’S WAILER 106 TOUR 1 TOOK HOME PEAK GEAR AWARDS. PHOTOGRAPH BY LIAM DORAN / LIAMDORANPHOTOGRAPHY.C OM

OUR HOME IS YOUR HOME – AND OUR HOME IS FILLED WITH WHISKEY VISIT OUR DISTILLERY & LOUNGE

STRANAHANS.COM PLEASE DRINK STRANAHAN’S RESPONSIBLY. STRANAHAN’S ® COLORADO WHISKEY. 47% ALC/VOL. (94 PROOF). ©2017 STRANAHAN’S COLORADO WHISKEY, DENVER, CO.

CONTRIBUTORS

ElevationOutdoors.com

12. 17

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY GEAR PLEASURE?

EDITORIAL ED ITOR -IN -CH IEF

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

doug@elevationoutdoors.com MA N AG IN G ED ITOR

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN My Blundstones. The ultimate dude shoe.

CAMERON MARTINDELL

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CHRIS KASSAR

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CON TRIBUTIN G ED ITORS

AARON BIBLE, ADAM CHASE, ROB COPPOLILLO, LIAM DORAN, JAMES DZIEZYNSKI, HUDSON LINDENBERGER, SONYA LOONEY, JAYME MOYE, TRACY ROSS, CHRIS VAN LEUVEN ED ITOR-AT-LARG E

PETER KRAY

C ON TRIBUTIN G WRITERS

JEDD FERRIS, KIM FULLER, AMY JURRIES, RADHA MARCUM, PADDY O'CONNELL, AVERY STONICH, MORGAN TILTON, MELANIE WONG ART + PRODUCTION ART D IREC TOR

ELIZABETH O'CONNELL So many puffies.

CONOR SEDMAK

5 Hour Energy. Damn, does it make the mornings easier for the groggy, non-morning people out there.

CAMERON MARTINDELL Work pants.

MEGAN JORDAN

megan@elevationoutdoors.com

SEN IOR D ESIG N ER

LAUREN WORTH

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PAIGELEE CHANCELLOR

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CHRIS VAN LEUVEN

Offset everythings.

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PADDY O’CONNELL

I bring duct tape and snacks with me everywhere.

SEN IOR AC C OU N T EXECUTIVE

MARTHA EVANS

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CONOR SEDMAK

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RADHA MARCUM

Jackets. One for every temperature variation— or fashion mode.

BU SIN ESS MAN AG ER

MELISSA GESSLER

melissa@elevationoutdoors.com CIRC U LATION MA N AG ER

HANNAH COOPER

hcooper@elevationoutdoors.com

DIGITAL MEDIA ON LIN E D IREC TOR

CRAIG SNODGRASS

craig@elevationoutdoors.com

TRACY ROSS

Puffies: long, short, hooded, skirted, sleeved, sleeveless, and pants.

PETER KRAY I'm a sunglasses addict.

D IG ITA L MA N AG ER

TYRA SUTAK

tyra@elevationoutdoors.com E L EVATION OU T D O OR S M AGAZ I N E

2510 47th Street Unit 202 Boulder, Colorado 80301 (303) 449-1560 PU B L I SH ED BY

MORGAN TILTON

Sorel Caribou boots.

They’re functional and luxurious.

©2017 Summit Publishing, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

AARON BIBLE SUMMIT

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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

PUBLISHING

Several large, rather impractical knives. It's a redneck thing.

LISTEN UP

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

O

ne of my favorite aspects of this magazine, which we have been producing for almost a decade, is that we cover the outdoors as more than just mountain sports or nature, but as a lifestyle. And one thing that is essential to that mindset and to the pages of Elevation Outdoors is our music coverage. Every issue, our Hear This column delves into the sound track we always have playing around the magazine, whether we are chained to our laptops putting these pages together or we are headed out on an adventure somewhere in the vast wilds of the West. Some Old-School purists may ask what music reviews are doing in an outdoor magazine. I say there's no better place for them. In fact, when we put ultrarunning champ Clare Gallagher on the cover of this magazine, her friends were most excited that she shared the spot with a line calling out a story about Colorado dance parties.

Truly, music goes hand-in-hand with outdoor sports and an appreciation for the wild places where we go to persue them. Plenty of CREATIVE SPIRIT top athletes play music. Climber and Paradox Sports ICELANDIC BAND GRÚSKA BABÚSKA PLAY AT founder Timmy O’Neill rips on drums. Salt Lake GAUKURINN IN REYKJAVIK City-based telemark-ski evangelist Josh Madsen tours DURING ICELAND with his band the Riva Rebels. At Outdoor Retailer AIRWAVES 2017. TWOHUNDRED-AND-SEVEN trade shows, impromptu bands form from various ARTISTS PLAYED THE FEST. brands to play the All Star Industry Jam. Our own photo by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN Ben Dawson brings his guitar along on the Live Outside and Play road tour. Every good campfire or outdoor celebration ends up with someone strumming or singing (I have even been involved in an all-you-can-drink karaoke debacle when skiing in Japan). Our annual festival guide—which includes pure music fests alongside sport and more outdoor events with bands—is our biggest and most popular issue. Music is a part of the broad fabric of the outdoor world.

That world certainly includes Iceland, a country where music and enjoying and respecting the natural world are an ingrained part of the way people live. Visit the active volcanic island just south of the Arctic Circle and you experience nature in a visceral way: You sit in hot springs with roots in magma vents, hike the largest glacier left in Europe, wander through empty volcanic landscaeps with massive waterfalls. It’s also a place filled with music. There's a joke that everyone has a job in Iceland... and “does music.” Indeed, it seems impossible that the island populated by just 335,000 souls could harbor so many bands, from electronica artists to hip hop rappers to folk singers.

I was lucky enough to experience that local talent last month when my wife and I attended the Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavik. There were 207 bands performing in venues throught the city (as well as in the town of Akureyri) in music halls, opera houses and brew pubs. While big-name foreign acts like Fleet Foxes and Mumford and Sons headlined big shows (and there was an appearance from New Jersey kids Pinegrove), most of the bands were Icelandic. I felt truly inspired by the variety of creativity and the passion in these local musicians, who are inspired by their wildly beautiful island home.

It made me glad, too, that we do feature so much music in Elevation Outdoors. The outdoors are about passion and creativity. I think we could connect to that even better with more music in our lives.

D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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QUICK HITS

12 .17

BEYOND BOUNDS

Arapahoe Basin expands into 468 steep, deep acres of formerly backcountry terrain.

the rope on The Beavers and The Steep Gullies this season, bringing a chunk of fairly extreme territory that has long been backcountry booty inside the ropes. While some longtime skiers gripe that this will bring masses to secret stashes, the ski area will now patrol and mitigate for avalanches in this steep and slide-prone terrain, which plunges off the west edge of the area.

The expansion, phased over two years, will grow the skiable acres by nearly 50 percent. The Steep Gullies encompasses 129 acres ARAPAHOE BASIN IS DROPPING

of double-black-diamond terrain, including a series of tight, rocky chutes that give even experts the willies. The Beavers, with 242 acres opening this season, is slightly more approachable, starting as a highalpine bowl before dropping below tree line. The resort thinned trees and cut two runs in the Beavers over the summer. Next year, it’ll bump the west edge to incorporate 97 more acres.

“This isn’t something that happens often any more, where ski areas are able to add terrain,” says Adrienne Saia Isaac, A-Basin’s marketing and communications manager. “It adds a really kickass piece of terrain.”

Insiders will chuckle to see a run called Janitors Only, a nod to a crew of A-Basin employees known as the Atomic Janitors, who, in the 1970s to the 1990s, cleaned (and sometime slept in) the lodge by night and skied by day, often in The Beavers and The Steep Gullies.

TECHNOLOGY

Joey Klein, a former A-Basin employee and Atomic Janitor, has been skiing this backcountry terrain for more than 30 years. He likens this expansion to the one in 2007-2008, when A-Basin opened Montezuma Bowl, which had been prime—albeit fickle—backcountry terrain.

“It actually opened up more terrain for us because Montezuma Bowl has a hanging cornice,” says Klein. “It’s like a freight train just hanging there waiting to drop on someone. So all the years we skied in ’Zuma, we never could get after as much as you can now since we started do avalanche control work.”

A-Basin installed an explosives delivery system this summer so ski patrol can drop bombs from fixed cable lines above The Steep Gullies.

“In my time, folks would hold off hitting the Steep Gullies for weeks, and if you did, it was considered a big gamble,” says Klein. “It’ll be something, knowing that you don’t have to worry as much [about

BEAVER TAIL YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF COLD SMOKE IN THE BEAVERS—EVEN IF YOU DON'T INHALE. A-BASIN'S EXAPANSION INTO THE HERETOFORE BACKCOUNTRY TERRAIN HERE AND IN THE STEEP GULLIES OPENS UP NEW OPTIONS. BOTH SPOTS WILL REQUIRE A STIFF HIKE OUT, BUT THE RESORT WILL ADD A CHAIR TO THE BEAVERS NEXT YEAR. photo by DAVE CAMARA

avalanches] as in the past.”

Those responsible for safety at A-Basin agree. “By bringing this piece of terrain into our operation routine ultimately we’re going to make it safer,” says Ryan Evanczyk, A-Basin’s Snow Safety Director.

“I think it’s a great addition… It speaks to everything that A-Basin has represented for many years.”

For now, a run through the new terrain ends with a 30-minute hike back to the lift. Next year, A-Basin will add a quad to haul people out of the Beavers. The Steep Gullies will remain hike-out terrain.

—Avery Stonich

GEAR WE LOVE

BOOKS

EcoXgear Boulder+

Patagonia Fog Cutter Sweater

The Climbers

This tough sound box is perfect for bringing your playlist to outdoor venues like après-ski tailgating, beach parties and picnics (keep it out of the backcountry, ok?). The speaker is waterproof, rolls like carry-on luggage and features an internal battery that keeps the party pumping for up to 50 hours. $250 | ECOXGEAR.COM

Part of Patagonia’s new Work Wear line, this functional wool crewneck draws on the no-nonsense design of a French military sweater.

It’s durable, stretchy, warm when wet and lives up to the brand’s sustainability ethos with recycled wool and nylon.

Jim Herrington has photographed rockers from Keith Richards to Dolly Parton, but here he focuses his lens on the granite’s pioneering legends—from Royal Robbins to Junko Tabei to Pat Ament— in the twilight of their lives.

The Banff Mountain Film book-award winner is as gorgeous as it is inspiring. $60 |

$99 | PATAGONIA.COM

MOUNTAINEERSBOOKS.ORG

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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

DROPPING A BOMB

Telluride Ski Resort rewards its hard-working patrollers with the package they deserve.

A NEW DEAL BETWEEN TELLURIDE RESORT AND ITS PRO PATROL FORCE gives those

often-under-represented workers one of the best packages in the industry. The contract, signed last month, provides a compensation system that encourages additional skill set training. It provides financial assistance for educational training, and meaningful annual cash equipment allowances. And it allows ski patrol to participate in all Telluride employee perks programs.

“The first contract established job security and a framework to address employee wages, job safety and benefits,” says Telluride patroller Tony Daryani. “Negotiations on the new contract focused on an economic package that reflects the realities of a professional patrol working on a challenging mountain situated in a very expensive mountain town.”

Management wanted to acknowledge it sees patrol as a valuable resource. “It became clear that several situations and circumstances were overlooked in that first negotiation, and I asked the patrol union representatives if they wanted to consider working on a new agreement a full year before the first agreement was to expire,” says Telluride CEO Bill Jensen. “We spent August, September and October this summer meeting to discuss how we could create a new three-year agreement that better reflected their contributions and

WORTH EVERY CENT TELLURIDE'S PATROL WILL BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED FOR DANGEROUS WORK. photo courtesy TONY DARYANI

commitment to the success of Telluride Ski Resort. There was no union representative or attorneys at any of the meetings and the conversations were insightful and productive.

They generated a new agreement that acknowledges the professional commitment patrol undertakes every day in the performance of their duties.”

Every item the patrol representatives brought up for consideration was addressed to the satisfaction of the representatives.

Management accepted all of those proposals, according to Jensen. The patrol ratified the new three year agreement in a 56-0 vote.

Telluride patrol wages fall between $14.25 an hour (entry level probationer trainee) to approximately $31 an hour for a tenured, highly skilled patrol specialist. A large majority of the Telluride Ski Patrol are tenured longterm patrollers with a variety of skill sets that compensate them in the $20 to $30 an hour range.

“I think the industry will take note that the days of taking for granted the special skills required by a qualified and professional ski patrol are over.” says Daranyi.

—Doug Schnitzspahn D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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MOAB FST ICE+

#CREATEYOURTRAIL

BITES INTO ICE DURING WINTER HIKES.

SNOWMELIER

Schuss to a luxe backcountry spread at one of these three Colorado ski-in dining destinations.

YOU’VE HEARD THE PHRASE “EARN YOUR TURNS,” NOW THERE’S “WORK FOR YOUR WINE.” Diners will do just that at

these three Colorado backwoods eateries, where athletic foodies can ski or snowshoe in to to a gourmet meal, re-stack calories and enjoy a choice glass of vino.

TENNESSEE PASS COOKHOUSE This spacious yurt perched at 10,800 feet sits with the boundaries of the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center. It’s accessible via a one-mile, gentle uphill trip by snowshoe or crosscountry skis. Or ski enjoy the center’s 25 kilometers of impeccably groomed cross-country trails, then gorge. The Cookhouse serves Rocky Mountain trout, elk tenderloin, hearty soups, a variety of wines and hot toddies.

Lunches and dinners are reservation only. tennesseepass.com FULL MOON PARTIES While true mountain folk often go skiing during full moon weeks, at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, they throw a party, too. Crested Butte’s Full Moon soirees happen a few SO MUCH HAPPY JOY SKIN TO BBQ UNDER THE FULL MOON AT CRESTED BUTTE. FIND FEMALE EMPOWERMENT OUTDOORS WITH BOLD BETTIES. SIP AND SMILE WITH DECADENT SAINT'S ULTIMATE MIXERS. (LEFT TO RIGHT) photos courtesy CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT, BOLD BETTIES, DECADENT SAINT

times each ski season and attendees skin or snowshoe up a mellow run to the Ten Peaks Umbrella Bar, prepped for a barbecue buffet and drinks. Don’t worry if you miss the full moon. You can hit up Magic Meadows Yurt, at the Crested Butte Nordic Center. Snowshoe or crosscountry ski guided, on a rolling, groomed course to the yurt, where live entertainment and a five-course meal and drinks from local chef Tim Eaglehoff await. cbnordic.org/ magic-meadows-yurt MINTURN SALOON You can drive right up to the front doors of the Saloon but why would you? Ski the Minturn Mile, then do après at the bar. Start your route on Vail Mountain, and glide three miles on mostly downhill, rolling terrain.

At the finish, walk a short distance to the Saloon, where you can take in the eclectic décor, order a quail enchilada and tuck into a margarita. minturnsaloon.com —Melanie Wong

FEEDING FEMALE STOKE

Bold Betties helps women find inner strength outdoors.

IN 2012, NIKI KOUBOURLIS DITCHED HER CORPORATE GIG, moved to Colorado,

and took time off to find herself.

What she discovered: her power.

Koubourlis spent seven months trying new outdoor adventures, and gained so much confidence, she wanted to bottle and share it. The result: Bold Betties, her femaleempowerment tribe.

What started in 2014 as a Colorado Meetup group has blossomed into a community of 46,500 women with 34 chapters in 16 states, providing outdoor experiences for anyone 18 plus with XX chromosomes. Colorado has five chapters, which lead outings like bike rides, hikes, skiing, snowshoeing, trail runs, river trips, climbing clinics, paddleboarding—even puppy yoga. The group also offers bigger trips and retreats to places like Costa Rica and Mount Kilimanjaro. boldbetties.com —A.S.

MIX IT UP

Want to be a better backcountry bartender?

Decadent Saint Ultimate Mixers will help you stir it up in the wild.

FOR FAR TOO LONG, BACKCOUNTRY BOOZING HAS MEANT NIPS OF SOUTHERN COMFORT. Decadent Saint Ultimate

Mixers are here to save you from that fate. These 40-proof concentrates have a high strength-to-weight ratio and don’t require refrigeration. Four flavors (passionfruit, raspberry, spiced blackcurrant and spiced dark chocolate) allow mixologists to create an infinite array of cocktails. On fast and light adventures, just add water to create sangria-like sips. Bring along hard booze or other mixers for margaritas, mules or Manhattans. Or elevate your backcountry hutkeeper status by mixing blackcurrant with mulled wine or pouring spiced dark chocolate over snowballs in the sauna. Decadent Saint’s mixers can also help polish your halo at home.

You can visit the Boulder tasting room for a taste test and find recipes at decadentsaint.com.

—A.S. D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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EAT, SLEEP, PLAY: OURAY

The ice is in prime shape. The snow is deep.

The water’s warm. Get thee to Ouray.

WHILE MANY OF COLORADO'S MOUNTAIN TOWNS HAVE SUCCUMBED TO SPRAWL,

Ouray’s location in a tight canyon limits the amount it can grow. And its nickname, the Switzerland of Colorado, says it all.

EAT Get your daily joe and pastry at Roast & Toast (roastandtoastouray. com) on Main Street. For a heartier breakfast or lunch, hit up Backstreet Bistro (970-325-0550). Fresh and affordable, the place serves dishes like huevos rancheros and a bear burrito that will fuel your engine.

Brickhouse 737 (brickhouse737.

YOU YAY, OURAY

com) has the best dinner in town.

Owner Hans Vander Ploeg and Chef Cory bring gastronomic sophistication to town, with local Colorado fare like seared Boulder natural chicken and elk Bolognese. For pub fare and brews, check out Ouray Brewery (ouraybrewery.com). Note: Many restaurants are closed on Mondays.

SLEEP Accommodations are limited, so book early if you will be visiting during the famous Ouray Ice Festival (January 18-21, 2018) . The China Clipper Inn (chinaclipperinn.com), which Chef Hans also owns, is just a block from Main Street. Built in 1990, it could pass for an old Victorian inn.

Its quirky nautical charm might seem out of place in the mountains, but an old Navy Commander who loved all things maritime thought its salty kitsch would fit the town’s eclectic personality (you be the judge). Hans and wife Ingrid have been brought European flare to the small town since 2009. Their rooms are spacious (with fireplaces and Jacuzzis in some) and Ingrid’s hearty breakfasts make the perfect start to a day of adventure

NOTHING ENGENDERS A SMILE BETTER THAN FRESH POW IN THE SAN JUANS.

PLAY

photo courtesy SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN GUIDES

Climbers from across the planet

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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

head here for the famed (and free) Ouray Ice Park (ourayicepark. com), with roughly 200 manmade ice and mixed climbs over three miles of terrain. The controlled environment of the park makes it and ideal place to learn the craft or up your game.

If you want to work on your form or just learn the ropes contact San Juan Mountain Guides (mtnguide.

net), who also guide backcountry skiing in the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Finish a big day in the town’s hot springs. The recently renovated Ouray Hot Springs Pool (ourayhotsprings.com) is chock full of options—including a new 357-person-capacity hot pool— for enjoying the town’s warm waters.

—Jordan Martindell

LOCAL HERO: TRACEE METCALFE

This doc brings ER skills to the high peaks.

TRACEE METCALFE HAS BEEN ON FIVE DIFFERENT EXPEDITIONS TO NEPAL while

mountaineering trips are definitely in her future.

“I think you can be a doctor and climb, but it’s really hard,” she says. “I want my next expedition to be focused on climbing, and then I think I’ll be ready to go back and be a doctor.”

—Kim Fuller WHAT'S UP DOC? TRACEE METCALFE NAVIGATES A LADDER OVER A CREVASSE IN THE HIMALAYA. photo by SEMBA TAKAYASU

working as an expedition doctor for a team called Himalayan Experience.

The Vail-based doc has aided Sherpa staff, guides and climbers on the trips, and she says working as a hospitalist in an alpine town does help prepare her for the work. But there’s nothing even in the farthest reaches of Vail’s Back Bowls that can compare to crossing ladders in the Khumbu ice field—though training in Colorado's mountain towns and resorts does help when on expedition.

“I’m not an ER doctor, so I try to spend time shadowing docs here in the ER before an expedition to brush up on those emergency skills.”

Metcalfe has climbed every 14,000-foot peak in Colorado, and she successfully summited Everest in May 2016. She says more

D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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FLASHPOINT

12 .17

WATER IS LIFE Through the Four Corners School’s Indigenous Youth Programs local kids are discovering outdoor recreation in Bears Ears National Monument, where their ancestors have lived for generations.

by MORGAN TILTON

T

ó éí ííná means, water is life, in the language of the Diné (the Navajo People), explained Celeste Yazzie. She paddled down the San Juan River in Southeast Utah with a dozen Diné Navajo Middle Schoolers from the non-profit Four Corners School of Outdoor Education and talked about the significance of water and Mother Earth, as taught and passed down from generation to generation by their ancestors.

It’s a lineage that traces back to the Ancestral Puebloans whose ruins and sacred sites still endure in this red-rock landscape. Right now, this sacred ground lies in the middle of a bitter fight as Interior Secretary Zinke has proposed that President Trump shrink Bears Ears and other national monuments as well as weaken public lands designations and protections. Local tribes are dead set against the administration’s plans since they engaged in an unprecedented cooperative effort to create Bears Ears.

Two summers ago, Yazzie, the Lead Experiential Educator of the National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP), floated down the San Juan on a three-day teacher training program. The Four Corners School of Outdoor Education, which is based out of Monticello, Utah, also led this trip. As Yazzie followed the river down the canyon, she realized there was a need to develop a program here for indigenous youth.

That inspiration birthed an idea that has been oddly absent from current outdoor industry conversations: Get native kids out in the wild. Reconnect them to the lands of their ancestors. Empower them to advocate for this land, their birthright. Show them how they can understand more about their lifeline, that precious water.

A WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIP

Water education is absolutely crucial 14

here in the arid Southwest. Many homes on Navajo Nation land depend on well water, according to Yazzie.

So the idea of partnering with Four Corners School made a lot of sense.

Four Corners had the resources and certifications to guide the type of raft trips Yazzie had in mind for native kids. In turn, the school’s educators could learn more about the history of the land where their programs operate: the desert plateaus and mesas that, as of December 2016, lie within the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument.

Yazzie, who is Diné, first connected with outdoor recreation when she learned to climb and kayak while working on her undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico. Six years ago, she started working for NIYLP. The threedecades-old New Mexico-based nonprofit organization developed an integrative educational program— Project Venture—that connects indigenous youth nationwide with outdoor adventure while teaching leadership, community values and traditional ideologies shared by Native cultures.

Through river recreation, Yazzie theorized, kids from Navajo, New Mexico—170 miles south of Monticello on the Arizona border in the Navajo Nation Reservation— could learn more about their cultural heritage and and the importance of water in the wells in their community and the rivers in their ancestral landscape.

It was a win-win. When he met Yazzie, Four Corners School Adventure Director David Taft was already in the midst of developing new youth programs with the

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

goal of expanding outdoor access to underserved communities. He wanted to increase the spectrum of populations reached by the school.

That effort is already in full swing. YouthWorks in the Park (which is led by the National Parks Conservation Association, Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks, and YouthWorks) introduces urban teens from Salt Lake City to southeast Utah’s national parks twice a year.

The nonprofit SOS Outreach, based in Denver, Colorado, introduces at-risk youth to outdoor sports. Taft volunteered at SOS prior to joining Four Corners School in 2015. Unlike those successful organizations, Yazzie’s plan was to bring in kids whose connection to this landscape reached back for thousands of years.

Taft secured funding and, in 2017, Four Corners launched two four-day NIYLP youth curriculums that integrated ecology, astronomy, anthropology and outdoor recreation through experiential learning and community service. The kids would go river rafting, hiking, star gazing at an observatory and camping. They would engage in citizen science via water collection and testing, and they would pick up trash at a lakeside beach. Taft also debuted programs last summer that included one for at-risk, inner-city youth from Salt Lake City and another for refugee youth from the International Charter School.

NIYLP Program Manager Heather Campbell led the second indigenous program for middle schoolers, who were accompanied by tribal elders. The Diné people (their name for themselves as opposed to the common term Navajo) have

SACRED GROUND occupied the Southwest BEARS EARS NATIONAL MONUMENT region for HARBORS HUNDREDS a couple of OF ANCESTRAL centuries. The PUEBLOAN RUINS AND SACRED SITES lineage of the STILL USED BY TRIBES Ancestral TODAY. NATIVE PEOPLE Puebloans, WERE INSTRUMENTAL however, traces IN CREATING THE MONUMENT. even further back thousands photo courtesy DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN of years.

“Watching the kids interact with the ancient dwellings and connect familiar dots with the tribal elders as they spoke in their native language was really powerful,” said Taft. “They were tracing their lineage. The elders had an emotional experience.”

THE BATTLE FOR LOCAL CONTROL

Four Corners School was founded in 1984, by former Executive Director Janet Ross. Initially just an outfitter, the education center now prioritizes land stewardship, STEM education, and experiential learning through outdoor recreation. Their ultimate mission is to teach people about the natural and human history of the Colorado Plateau, an area nearly as large as California.

Encompassing the Four Corners region, the plateau is chock-full of 12,000-foot peaks, the Grand Canyon, and otherworldly geologic formations—including ones of American Indian significance, such as the two iconic Bears Ears buttes—plus more than 100,000 archeological sites, which now sit inside the Bears Ears National Monument boundary.

“Fifteen years ago, Moab

boomed as a tourism destination and the City of Monticello proposed that Four Corners open a science and nature center to help breathe life and tourism dollars into the local economy,” explained the school’s Executive Director Chris Giangreco, who also voiced the importance of a multidimensional approach to growing the local economy. In August 2016, the Four Corners School opened its Canyon Country Discovery Center after more than a decade of dedicated fundraising efforts.

“We are a science and nature information hub, and—though it’s not our intent—we’re evolving into a quasi-visitor center for a currently undefined monument, because there are no other resources to show people where to go,” said Giangreco.

“We’re the place people see when they drive on US-191 toward Blanding in search of Bears Ears.”

The once sleepy town of Blanding has been in the crosshairs over the national monument deabte—in short, proponents want to ensure the monument’s cultural and environmental resources are protected and they think the only way to do that is to up legal protection and federal oversite.

Opponents think the area is just fine as it is and don't want more federal control. The area’s diverse communities include a mix of indigenous tribes, Mormon settlers, ranch families and miners from the uranium boom.

The loudest voice in the monument designation debate from the side who wants to cut Bears Ears comes from Utah Congressman Rob Bishop. His initial Public Land Initiative (PLI) proposal, an alternative to the monument, included 90 percent of the region that is now the monument. That proposal looks good now with rumors that Trump may cut the size of the monument dramatically (though it’s still unclear whether he has the legal power to do so). On the preservation side, it’s outdoor industry brands: Patagonia invested $1.7 million in a Bears Ears campaign that included a beautiful, interactive digital piece and boycotting the Outdoor Retailer trade show as long as it remained in Utah. It has since moved to Denver.

When Zinke visited the monument in May to assess if it should be cut down in size, he ignored supporters in favor of locals opposed to the designation.

And he only briefly met with two tribal leaders before taking off on a helicopter tour. The tribes felt

betrayed. Bears Ears had been a rare victory for Native concerns in the West.

As the land rivalry escalates, this power play pitting big outdoor industry brands like Patagonia and Black Diamond and national environmental organizations against conservative Utah politicians and the Trump Administration has become even more unsettling for the locals.

Many voices are muffled.

“There’s a lot of antagonism between the Black Diamonds and Jim Stiles [a local writer and editor opposed to the monument] views, but I think it’s irrelevant. This area should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” said Taft.

Watching the kids interact with the ancient dwellings, and connect familiar dots with the tribal elders as they spoke in their native language was really powerful. They were tracing their lineage. The elders had an emotional experience.”

BACK OUT IN THE WILD

All the while, the monument’s defenders’ concerns remain: the potential denial of tribal access to sacred ceremonial sites or use of natural resources, recreation across user groups, plus current and new business operations such as research conducted by the Four Corners School, outfitters’ trips or energy developments.

“With the larger national debates going on, those of us who are right here feel disconnected from the land we’ve always been on. Right now, the uncertainty about the monument and the new management plan—which will be put in place by Federal agencies and dictate how the land can be used—is a challenge for most people in the area,” explained Giangreco.

Monticello sits in San Juan County: the fastest growing county in the U.S., with a 7.6

percent population surge in 2016.

Simultaneously, 28.1 percent of the county’s population lives below the state poverty line—a rate that is more than double that of the rest of Utah. Ethnically, 70 percent of San Juan’s impoverished locals are American Indian followed by 22 percent White and six percent Hispanic, reports Data USA. “Parents in the local community are busy working and making sure their kids have a good life. When you’re trying to make ends meet and you have three kids, it’s hard to drop everything and spend the week out camping,” Giangreco explained.

The majority—72 percent— of the county’s land is public, of which 60 percent is federally owned.

“We are trying to teach this new generation of kids the appropriate way to interact with ancient artifacts and dwellings,” said Giangreco. “The kids may not have an appreciation for the land, because they haven’t explored, worked or [recreated] on it. Back in the day, local kids would wander into rugged canyonlands. We don’t live in a world anymore where parents let their kids wander.”

Most of the kids who visited the San Juan River from Navajo Middle School had never been rafting before. They didn’t even know about the San Juan river’s recreational access. “Indigenous populations are not exposed to outdoor recreation as much as Westerners, mostly due to the cost. Outdoor sports are expensive,” explained Yazzie.

“In the outdoor education world, you don’t hear much about indigenous people. I am honored to be a part of the NIYLP team.

We are all natives and guides of outdoor sports including mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, and backpacking,” she said.

Both nonprofits intend to further develop the programs next summer.

In the end, and no matter the fate of the monument, the focus of the programs with the kids comes back to that essential, ancient idea that water is life. Yazzie hoped the students would step off the rafts with a deeper understanding of water’s sacredness, a core view that is shared across indigenous tribes.

“Water supports all life and all that is living—animals, crops, nature, land, and the self—holds value, which should be respected and cared for with intentionality,” she said. Due to her efforts and those of groups like the Four Corners School, the next generation may be able to live those ideals.

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POWDER! Looking for the perfect spot to snowmobile, ski, snowshoe or enjoy other winter pastimes? Like fun community festivities like Parade of Lights, Winterfest, and more? Rio Grande Country in Southwestern Colorado has you covered . . . in POWDER and fun!

Wolf Creek Ski Area averages over 460 inches of snow a year, more than any other ski area in Colorado.

South Fork: closest town to the ski area. Del Norte: great brew pub and places to stay. Monte Vista: centrallylocated within the San Luis Valley.

Visit www.riograndecountry.com to learn about all the great festivals and events this winter.

Book your next great adventure today!

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Colorado

HOT SPOT

12. 17

KEYSTONE UNLOCKED

Investigate the stashes, kid events and good eats at the surprising resort just on the other side of the tunnel.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

K

eystone often gets short shrift when it comes to Summit County's big, famed resorts. That's all the better for Front Rangers looking to escape the Strafe-draped fray. Keystone's charms include everything from uncrowded backcountry to runs that the whole family can enjoy to lodging and free parking just a short walk from the lifts. It’s a mountain that gets better the more time you spend exploring it.

Plus, it’s just west of the Eisenhower Tunnel from Denver limiting the time you waste on I-70 and putting it within quick half-day striking distance for weekday gondola laps. Best of all, this year, the resort added a new six-pack Montezuma Express chair, which will make both hammering out frontside runs and accessing the back side faster and easier. Read on for our tips on how get the most out of this Colorado classic.

GREEN DREAM

This may make you chuckle, but Keystone lays claim to the best green run in North America.

Not impressed? Let us explain. Most greens are glorified cat roads or gentle knolls. The threemile-long, 2,339-foot Schoolmarm is indeed a real run. And sure it’s a green—anyone can get down it and enjoy it. That means expert skiers, too, who can rail down the perfect pitches en route to the base area. But this baby’s truly best for families: The long, wide slope is a confidence booster for kids and newbies alike. It loads up on weekends and near day’s end, so keep the kids close at peak times, so the traffic doesn’t scare them.

THE CAT

Just like the resort itself, Keystone’s snow cat runs a bit under the radar—all the better for using it to enjoy the soft, deep pleasures of Independence Bowl with Keystone Adventure Tours. It’s also a decent deal: A day of guided cat skiing runs $310 per person. That includes Salomon fat ski demos and lunch in the private, backcountry Indy Yurt. The bowl holds stashes on plenty of tree runs and a long screamer of a run, Two if by Sea. Peek down the back side of the bowl, heading towards Montezuma.

This is where the Olympic downhill would have been if Denver had hosted the Winter Olympics in the 1970s. Got energy to burn? The backcountry bowl is open to experienced touring skiers and snowboarders. Skin to it (with a lift ticket) if you’re carrying avalanche safety gear and know how to use it. Check with patrol before you go.

Keystone also runs a $10, one-ride cat that accesses its North and South Bowls in the Outback section of the mountain. Of course you

can save your cash and access them via a quick hike, too. Be sure to look for spots to stop and hit tree runs laced with pockets of powder along the way.

Experience (March 2-10) features parties and kids' concerts.

KID'S PLAY

EAT

Keystone caters to families and kids. That’s a boon for parents looking for to keep their groms happy while they explore expert terrain. You can plan visits around three big bang-for-your-buck kid events. The Kidtopia Spectacular (December 15-24) kickstarts the holidays with a bounce house party, a mountaintop celebration and lighting ceremony of the world’s largest snow fort—plus a visit from St. Nick. Aspiring young chefs will want to check out the new Kidtopia Culinary Festival (February 9-17) and The Kidtopia Music

GETTING CATTY KEYSTONE ADVENTURE TOURS SHUTTLES YOU BACK INTO THE STASHFILLED GLADES AND WIDE-OPEN SLOPES OF INDEPENDENCE BOWL. THE TRIP SERVES UP BACKCOUNTRY TURNS WITH NO SWEAT REQUIRED.

On mountain, Labonte’s Smokehouse BBQ at the base of North Peak just added a 190-seat indoor photo courtesy SEAN BOGGS / VAIL RESORTS dining room. In River Run village, get your joe at Inxpot (inxpot.com), stacked with locals. Come lunch, order a pie at Pizza on the Run (pizzaontherunkeystone.com) and watch the Broncos. For drinks and romance, head to the Ski Tip Lodge (skitiplodge.com).

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THE TRAIL

POWERED BY

12 .17

GET THE FREE APP

AND FOLLOW THIS ROUTE ON IPHONE, APPLE WATCH, IPAD AND ANDROID DEVICES. VIEWRANGER.COM

CRATER LAKES

GET TRIP INFO

SEE MORE ROUTE DETAILS, GPS DATA & PRINT MAPS.

Download the free ViewRanger app and follow these coordinates for a snowshoe trip into the heights of the Indian Peaks.

VIEWRANGER.COM/eleout

by CHRIS KASSAR

L

ooking for a quick trip into the wild on a winter day? Just an hour drive from downtown Boulder, the trailhead for this sixmile jaunt up into the James Peak Wilderness is open year-round. It’s popular, but you can avoid crowds on weekdays. The snowshoe trip (or hike or ski tour depending on conditions) to the two Crater Lakes, perched at 10,600 feet, gains approximately 1,400 feet over three miles. Unless you’re breaking trail in fresh powder, it’s fairly mellow, and you can opt for microspikes over snowshoes if it’s been a while since it last snowed.

To reach the trailhead from Nederland, drive 4.5 miles south on Colorado Highway 119 to the tiny town of Rollinsville. Turn west onto the well-maintained gravel of Rollins Pass Road (CR 16), and continue eight miles, ending at the Moffat Tunnel.

1. EAST PORTAL TRAILHEAD

The howling, car-rattling winds typically encountered at this large parking area can intimidate even the heartiest adventurer, but don’t be scared off. Follow signs right of the tunnel to the well-marked South Boulder Creek Trail for forest that shelters you from the wind.

CHILL OUT SIX MILES UP TRAIL FROM MOFFAT TUNNEL, CRATER LAKE FEELS A WORLD AWAY. photo by CHRIS KASSAR

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2. ARAPAHO LAKES/ FOREST LAKES TRAIL JUNCTION

Follow the mellow trail through dense evergreens and aspens interspersed with open meadows. After 1.25 miles, you’ll encounter a signed split in the trail. The right fork heads off to Forest Lakes (three miles from the trailhead) and Arapahoe Lakes (3.5 miles). Stay left on the South Boulder Creek Trail to Crater Lakes.

3. CRATER LAKES TRAIL JUNCTION

After climbing a bit more aggressively over the next half-mile or so, the route reaches another junction (it’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention or new snow obscures the way). Follow the trail to Crater Lakes as it bends north for a moment and then winds steeply west and switchbacks upward through thick forest. (Staying on the South Boulder Creek Trail will bring you all the way up to another worthy, but better-for-summer destination: Heart Lake, which sits above 11,000 feet.)

4. HEAD NORTH

Steepening again, the trail takes a sharp turn north. As you walk or ski skyward, the trees thin, eventually opening to views of the high ridges of the James Peak Wilderness.

5. SIGNED STREAM CROSSING

Nearing the lakes, you reach a trail

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sign at an outlet stream. Follow the trail north over the outlet and northwest along the thin glade of spruce trees that separates the two main lower lakes.

6. CRATER LAKE SOUTH

Take the left spur to reach the southern lake, which is narrower and surrounded by steep walls and dense forest. From here, make a loop out of your visit to the northern lake by following a spur trail that heads north and then east.

7. CRATER LAKE NORTH

The north lake is larger and more open, making it easier to access.

Enjoy expansive views of the basin and lakeside campsites. Or, climb just a bit above it to take in views of both lakes shimmering with winter ice. Close the circle around this lake to hook back up with the same trail you took to get here. Head back down the same way you came up.

The Crater Lakes are a series of five lakes in total. To reach the third one—hidden, but nearby—backtrack on the main trail to the trail sign mentioned in Point 5 and follow the stream a few hundred yards east. To reach the upper two Crater Lakes, you’ll need navigation skills and a good map to travel 2.2 additional miles. Prepare for tough terrain, check avalanche conditions, and carry and be trained in how to use safety gear.

OPTIONS:

TRAIL GEAR Brooks Range Hybrid HL Fleece Jacket This 0.84-ounce, high-loft fleece hybrid zip-up keeps you plenty warm without too much bulk. It’s durable and breathable enough to work as an outer layer but still slim enough to fit under a shell for extra insulation. Plus, it comes in eyecatching colors that look sharp back in town, too. $190 | BROOKS-RANGE.COM

Gordini MTN Crew Gloves A waterrepellent down outer and a waterproof, windproof, breathable insert combine to keep this glove cozy even with a slim profile and few seams. Best of all, we found it easy to manipulate gadgets such as bindings and trekking pole adjustments without taking them off.

—C.K. $45 | GORDINI.COM

Be prepared for whatever nature throws your way Tents, Sleeping Bags, Pads, Apparel, & Helinox

Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum Trail Weight: 1lb 10oz

bigagnes.com The Mother of Comfort

Photo: Braden Gunem

GOOD IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. SAFE WATER FOR YOU AND CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD.

LifeStraw Flex supports our Follow the Liters program, where every LifeStraw product sold provides one child in a developing country with safe water for an entire year. We’ve already reached 633,777 children and we’re striving to reach our 1 millionth child in 2018. Let’s get there together.

The versatile LifeStraw Flex filter, with new technology that meets NSF 53 standards for lead removal, can be used in 5 different ways: Lifestraw.com

1

2

3

4

5

As a personal straw

With the included soft touch bottle

Attached to a plastic water bottle

Attached to a hydration bladder

As a gravity filter

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WORTH THE HIKE SKITAOS.COM

Far from gridlocked mountain passes, fur-lined boots and venti macchiatos, a revitalization is underway.

At Taos Ski Valley, our independent spirit guides us every day. We are improving without losing our way.

Sitting in the peaceful absence of corporate polish is The Blake at Taos Ski Valley - an all-new slopeside getaway in the heart of a vibrant plaza with a culture that’s unmistakably Taos. This winter, chase steeps and Rocky Mountain powder at Taos. Remind yourself what true skiing feels like.

NUMEROLOGY

12 .17

PICK UP THE TAB Colorado is at the epicenter of the craft beer, wine and spirits renaissance. Swoon through these numbers that tell the story of our booming booze scene.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

2

National Championships now-novelist Ryan Max Riley won as a mogul skier on the U.S. Ski Team. The Harvard grad is now the master distiller at Ski Bum Rum distillery in Golden, Colorado, where he concocts a Local Legend Spiced Rum, Edelweiss Coconut Rum and Last Run Silver Rum in a handmade copper pot still. riley1803. wixsite.com/skibumrum

22

Number of pool tables Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and partners Jerry Williams, Mark Schiffler and Russell Schehrer installed when they opened Wynkoop Brewing Co. in downtown Denver in 1988.

The brewery spearheaded the rebirth of LoDo and the craft booze revolution that has since spread throughout the state. wyncoop.com

348

Craft breweries in the state of Colorado, as documented by the Denver Business Journal in May 2017. The state is second only to California when it comes to that statistic. But we blow away the Golden State when you calculate that the number represents six breweries per 100,000 Colorado residents.

THE CRYSTAL SHIP CRYSTAL SAGAN SLINGS COCKTAILS WITH A CONSCIENCE FROM HER CARAVAN. photo by POPPIES AND PAISLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

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The length in feet of Lolita, the 1969 vintage caravan that serves as a mobile bar on wheels for Boulder local Crystal Sagan’s Cocktail Caravan.

The catering company rolls up to weddings, parties and other events to mix hip cocktails from ingredients like locally sourced lavender and organic lemon. We suggest you try the delecatable Maplenut, made with Breckenridge Bourbon (see page 40), homemade hazelnut milk, cold brew coffee, vanilla and organic maple syrup. mycocktailcaravan.com

125,000

Liters of wine Denver vinter Infinite Monkey Theorem plans to can this year. Canned wine is hot right now and Infinite Monkey stresses that it’s more sustainable than glass bottles; aluminum is 100-percent recyclable and a used can can be back in a product on the shelves in as little as 60 days. theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com

2008

The year Boulder’s Upslope Brewing was founded—and the same year another tasty Boulder-based company burst to life... We began planning Elevation Outdoors magazine in 2008 (in the midst of the Great Recession, when we were told print was dead) and published our first issue in February 2009. We’re often recreating and planning new issues at the Upslope Tap Room at 1898 S. Flatiron Court. upslopebrewing.com

5

Years Wood’s High Mountain Distillery in Salida, Colorado, founded by brothers Lee and P.T. Wood, has been pumping out craft spirits (see their Alpine Rye on page 40).

They must be doing something right because the town elected P.T. mayor in November. woodsdistillery.com

1989

The year Doug O’Dell opened his brewery in a 1915 grain elevator in Fort Collins. It’s now the 34th largest brewery in the U.S. becoming employee-owned in 2015. odellbrewing.com

2.5

Percentage of craft spirits sales of all spirits sold in the U.S. See? There’s room to grow.

16

The percent ABV in Avery’s bold Tweak, a bourbonbarrel-aged coffee stout. averybrewing.com

1

Years an employee needs to work at Fort Collins’ New Belgium Brewing before they get a free fat tire bike. Employees own the place (no, really). newbelgium.com

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STRAIGHT TALK

12 .17

MARK GASTA The director of Colorado State University’s new graduate Adventure Tourism program wants to empower a brave class of tourism professionals who live their passion out in the world.

by AMY JURRIES

M

ark Gasta wants to change the way we see the world. An Associate Professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, Gasta is the program director of the new Adventure Tourism graduate certificate. Prior to coming to CSU this year, Gasta worked as an executive vice president managing people and sustainability at Vail Resorts. He now teaches courses in adventure tourism, ski area management and sustainable tourism. Gasta’s research focuses on developing leaders with the capacity to build sustainable organizations that create profit for shareholders while also protecting the environment and improving the lives of those with whom they interact. We caught up with him at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Argentina.

TELL US ABOUT CSU’S NEW GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN ADVENTURE TOURISM PROGRAM. WHY IS THIS A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR THE INDUSTRY? ?

With 7.6 million direct jobs and $887 billion in consumer spending, the outdoor recreation industry is an economic and political powerhouse, almost double the pharmaceuticals and the automotive industries. The Graduate Certificate in Adventure Tourism (AT) monopolizes on this in a six course, 12-credit offering that provides students with the theoretical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills required for successfully developing and managing land-, water- and airbased adventure tourism ventures. It’s designed to address a growing need within the adventure tourism industry for graduate-level education focused specifically on small to medium sized business entrepreneurship and development. The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources is uniquely situated to address this industry-identified need, due to its expertise in tourism management and nature-based tourism and recreation. AT is well connected across small to large adventure tourism enterprises and is an Adventure Travel Trade Association Industry Partner, giving AT students an advantage with a direct line of contact to professionals and agencies within the industry. The AT program teaches students how they can expand global SCHOOL OF HARD ROCKS MARK GASTA ANCHORS A NEW PROGRAM AT CSU THAT WILL GROOM A NEW GENERATION OF ADVENTURE TOURISM THAT'S BETTER FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET. photo courtesy MARK GASTA

I HAVE AN UNWRITTEN RULE IN MY LIFE THAT EVERY YEAR AROUND MY BIRTHDAY, I DO SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER DONE. tourism utilizing a holistic approach that blends sustainable tourism practices, strategic analysis and industry expertise. Whether you are an experienced professional, burgeoning entrepreneur or new to the industry, our Online Graduate Certificate in Adventure Tourism is positioned to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed and ultimately do what matters—live your passion.

YOU HAVE LIVED IN A VARIETY OF PLACES, BOTH WITH THE ARMY AND IN YOUR EARLY CAREER. WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY IN COLORADO? ?

My wife and I both grew up in small mountain towns in California and we attribute who we are today to the fact that we were raised in the outdoor lifestyle. We wanted that lifestyle for our children, too. But we also wanted to continue our education while building our careers. Colorado offered all that and more.

Selfishly, I also had another plan, knowing that most college-age children feel the need to get away from the environment that they were raised in. That’s healthy and expected. My hope is that, by teaching my kids to love the outdoors, no matter where life may take them in the near term, ultimately they will realize how much Colorado has to offer. So they will also decide to raise their families here, allowing us to continue the trend

of biking, hiking, skiing, fishing, etc. with our family. I look forward to the day when I can share with my grandchildren all the things I had the pleasure of sharing with my children.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO RECREATE OUTDOORS? ?

I am a stereotypical jack of all trades, master of none! You name it—bike, ski, hike, climb, camp, fish, run—I do it. With that said, I don’t do any of it very well. My race philosophy is to start slow and taper from there. I have an unwritten rule in my life that every year around my birthday, I do something I have never done.

It’s an attempt to convince myself that an old dog can learn new tricks. This approach keeps me learning, challenged and training.

DO YOU HAVE SOME CAREER ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT? ?

Following my career of choice was not quite as linear as I would have hoped, but along the way I learned that the journey is the goal. Don’t be a replica of someone else, understand who you are at the core, work hard at developing yourself, understand and pursue your intrinsic motivations, devote your life to realizing your potential and constantly seek the deeper purpose of your leadership in order to make a lasting and positive difference.

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TRAVEL

12. 17

DEEP THOU GET IN THE WATER THIS WINTER BY LEARNING TO DIVE HERE IN COLORADO AND THEN GETTING AWAY FROM THE SNOW AND DIVING, SNORKELING, PADDLING AND SWIMMING IN THESE THREE WARM WATER DESTINATIONS.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

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G

ot the winter blues? Colorado may not be the best place to go diving during the cold season, but it is an ideal place to get certified. In fact, Colorado has the second most certified scuba divers of any state that doesn’t touch the ocean, and it ranks sixth in the number of divers overall. That adds up to a lot of underwater experience in the Centennial State, making it a great place for those of us who are normally more focused on rocks, summits and trails to try a new sport.

There are certainly some fine (and surprising) dives in Colorado —think lakes with cold water and low visibility—but most of them serve more as

YUCATAN, MEXICO

TOBAGO

There is no other experience in the natural world that compares to swimming with a whale shark.

And the Yucatan is one of the best places on the planet to get the chance to share the ocean with these gentle giants. Don’t be frightened by the name: Whale sharks are actually fish. In fact, they are the lagest fish on Earth and much of their life cycle is still a mystery to scientists. One thing is certain, they allow humans to swim alongside them—not to touch them, however, that is illegal and disrespectful. You don’t need to be divecertified to swim with whale sharks, either. Simply don a snorkel, mask and a pair of fins. You hop off a

Tobago doesn’t get as much press (or tourists) as many other Caribbean escapes. That makes it an island vacation spot that should appeal to the Elevation Outdoors reader—it’s heavy on adventure with a good dose of downtime and low on annoying package tours. It’s famed for goat races and being the supposed location of the classic pirate yarn Treasure Island. Tobago is also famed for its scuba diving, with attractions for beginners as well as accomplished divers. The most famous dive on the island is the Maverick Wreck, which attracts a wide variety of marine life including fantastically colored angel fish. Tobago’s waters are also home to the world's largest brain coral, a truck-sized living colony that looks like it’s straight out of Dr. Who. The Mount Irvine Wall is a sort of underwater playground, rife with canyons and situated in shallow water near shore.

It’s a perfect spot to see turtles and a dive that satisifies both beginners and vets. Book a stay at the Grafton Beach Resort (graftontobago. com), a laid-back, family friendly spot right on the beach with fresh water swiming pools. If you want to splurge, try Le Grand Courlan Spa & Resort (legrandtobago.com). Owned by the same company as Grafton, it’s more of a four-star resort, ideal for romance and complete with a spa. Both properites can set you up with dive excursions: They have an in-house dive shop. They also make ideal bases to explore more of the island. Be sure to take some time to explore the interior of the island, too. Tobago claims the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, older than the U.S.A., in fact, since it was dedicated on April 17, 1776.

The Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where you might be lucky enought to catch a glimpse of the the endemic White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird.

OUGHTS

“

deep below the waves, you meet the marine animals in their own world...

training spots or the kind of places diving junkies can get a little inland fix. When it comes down to it, the best thing about diving is seeking out warm water. Head to the tropics for swarms of marine life and water that’s usually clear enough that you can see the wonderful ballet under the waves.

First things first though, take a Colorado dive class. Start at Denver Divers (denverdivers. com), where you can just try out scuba, go fullon and get certified or up your certification level.

They also help book trips. Don’t care to learn scuba certification? No worries. The following destinations are places where you can explore the water by snorkel, swimming, SUP or even just by lying on the beach. Book that winter getaway now.

LIFE AQUATIC

SNORKEL IN CASA CENOTE, NEAR TULUM, MEXICO, AND YOU ENTER A SECRET WORLD IN THE MIDST OF THE JUNGLE. photo by MARK GOING / COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR (LEFT) photo courtesy HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY

well captained boat as the 30-foot-long fish cruises by, sucking up nutritious plankton. You then have a brief moment with it on its own terms in the sea. Several outfitters will take you to swim with whale sharks, but be sure to book a company with strong ethics and respect for the animal. Barna Takats at Encounters (encounters.com.mx) can take you out to see the whale sharks or point you towards responsible outfitters. Takats can also help with scuba diving adventures–and few places rival the warm blue of this peninsula and the island of Cozumel when it comes to scuba. That’s because this is the location of the Great Mayan Reef, the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, stretching for 600 miles and harboring a stunning variety of aquatic life. Isla Mujeres, just east of Cancun, is the easiest spot to get underwater. Plus, there’s one incredible treat in the Yucatan that only requies a snorkel. Casa Cenote (casacenote.com) is a long, thin freshwater lake just off the beach in the jungle.

Swimming through it is an otherworldly experience.

HAWAI’I Hawai’i is a perfect place to lose yourself. The pace here is slower and still more authentically Hawaiian (as well as hippy) compared to more popular islands, and, although surfing is king everywhere in the Aloha State, you will also find some outstanding diving here. Know this first, however: The name of the island is not Hawaii; the name of the island is Hawai’i. Don’t refer to it as The Big Island. On to the water. If you want to get out and just have a good time, book a trip with Ocean Sports (hawaiioceansports.com).

The company runs tours on catamarans that include snorkeling excursions that take in the reef on the Kona-Kohala Coast. They also run whale watching trips, the perfect way to get up close to a humpback. Or combine the two. For more serious diving, contact Kohala Divers (kohaladivers. com), also operating on the Kona-Kohala Coast.

They specailize in getting divers out to see big underwater critters like those humpback whales, manta rays, white-tip reef sharks and Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Deep below the waves, you meet the marine animals in their own world with a feeling of connection and respect that’s part of the Hawaiian experience. Again, you will also want to take the time to wander inland and see the forces that created these islands still at work in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

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ADVENTURE FOR A LIFETIME

SCUBA LESSONS ARE THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFT!

snotcicle/snot-ci-cle/ noun (plural snotcicles)

1. Primarily found in cold climates, the snotcicle occurs when the fluid of a runny nose freezes, creating a sort of icicle.

Frequently found in the beard and/or mustache of rugged outdoors men and women.

- I was skiing uphill and I developed a mega green technicolor snotcicle.

PHOTO CREDIT THOMAS WOODSON

- When Harry and Lloyd were driving to Aspen on a scooter without the necessary protective clothing for Aspen’s climate, snotcicles formed around their nostrils.

Skiing, skinning, route finding, ridge running, a healthy dose of suffering, and just maybe some good turns on the way down - where there’s always a cold Upslope beer waiting for you at the end. Oh and lots of snotcicles. Always.

15 stops - 28+ races - 11 years . Pure Ski Mountaineering Racing

www.cosmicski.com WOLF CREEK - ELDORA - IRWIN LODGE - CRESTED BUTTE - POWDERHORN - SUNLIGHT - COPPER - SANTA FE -TAOS - TELLURIDE - MONARCH - ASPEN - BRECKENRIDGE -BIG SKY - STEAMBOAT 26

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

WORK IT OUT

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DITCH THE INDOOR CLASSES AND RIDE YOUR WAY TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD FITNESS WITH THESE FIVE FAT-BIKE EXERCISES THAT KEEP YOU ON THE TRAILS IN WINTER. by TRACY ROSS

T

he gym may be the best place for skispecific training, but every second in a gym is a second less outside on the bike. Seeking a gym alternative, we consulted Ann Trombley—Olympian, Nederland-based Level 1 cycling coach, physical therapist and trainer to multiple national cycling champions—who built this outdoor, bike-specific, ski-conditioning workout that targets the full body and cardiovascular system.

EXERCISE 1: STRENGTH ENDURANCE DRILLS TARGETS: Quads, glutes, calves and hamstrings METHOD: Starting in a moderately hard gear on a gradual climb, do three to four, five-minute slow (70RPM) intervals, focusing on smooth pedal strokes and on each muscle in your leg as it goes through the motion. “The goal is to work each muscle specifically, in a concentrated way,” says Trombley. “You’ll think it’s not that hard, but you’ll be sore the next day if you’re executing it correctly.”

PAYOFF: Lower extremity strength, which helps you ski longer and supports your joints.

EXERCISE 2: BIKE PLYOS TARGETS: Quads, glutes, calves, hammies and core METHOD: Start at the bottom of a moderate hill or multi-level staircase, and bound off each foot as you run as fast as you can to the top. Jump back on and coast to the bottom. Repeat three to four times to start, building up to six to eight times.

PAYOFF: “Plyos are key to short burst power activities, like bump skiing,” says Trombley.

EXERCISE 3: CORE FOCUS TARGETS: Abdominals and back muscles, plus pectorals, biceps, triceps, lats and deltoids METHOD: After each stair or hill run, before you jump back on your bike, and on rock or a table, do the following: 20 pushups, 30 seconds of plank, 30 seconds of side plank (each side) and 20 tricep dips.

PAYOFF: “Your core is your platform,” says Trombley.

“Without a strong one, it’s like you’re trying to exercise on a wet noodle.”

WHAT SKIERS DO WITHOUT SNOW OLYMPIAN ANN TROMBLEY SUGGESTS YOU DO THESE EXERCISES FOR 60 TO 90 MINUTES. DO THEM TWICE A WEEK TO START AND THEN RAMP UP TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK. photo by AARON H. BIBLE

EXERCISE 4: MICRO BURSTS TARGETS: Anaerobic and aerobic system.

METHOD: In five-minute intervals, go hard (80-90 percent of your maximum) for 15 seconds, easy for 15 seconds, hard for 15 seconds, easy for 15. Keep it up for five minutes, then go easy for five minutes.

Start with two-minute intervals, building by week five to five to six five-minute bursts.

PAYOFF: Improves cardiovascular fitness and decreases fatigue (which equals longer ski days).

EXERCISE 5: BIKE LUNGES TARGETS: Quads, glutes, calves, hammies and core METHOD: On a gradual and longish downhill, alternate forward-leg lunges for 10 seconds each during your descent. “Accentuate the lunge,” says Trombley, “‘and focus on weighting both legs equally, no matter which one is in front, to ensure you’re contracting the muscles in play equally.”

PAYOFF: Specific strengthening for each leg, and equalizing leg strength (for explosive power).

FOR MORE INFO OR TO SCHEDULE A SESSION WITH TROMBLEY, VISIT TRAILMASTERCOACHING.COM

YOUR GYM ON A BIKE: THE SCOTT SPARK 710 Fat bikes may be for full-on winter cruising, but mid-fats are for year-round fun. We put weeks of testing into the Spark 710, a full-suspension ride with 27.5-inch wheels, 2.8-inch tires and a mind-blowingly efficient Twinloc Lever System, which allows you to switch between three different shock stiffnesses on the fly—you can go from locked out (for fire road and road-to-trail access), 85mm for climbing, and 120mm for juicy descending. With the wider tires and a crosscountry geometry, the Spark is flow-y and stable on descents (a factory-installed dropper seat helps). $4,750; scott-sports.com D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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S PEC I A L A DV ERT I S I N G S EC T I O N

GEAR UP TH I S YEA R’S HOTTEST PRO DU CTS ARE HE RE ­­—JUST IN T IME FOR T HE HOLIDAYS. GET IN GEAR!

BRIDGEDALE MERINO FUSION TM SKI MOUNTAIN SOCK

MerinoFusion™ SKI technology brings Merino Wool together with technical fibers to provide balanced insulation with the highest level of comfort. The Mountain sock from Bridgedale features full top-to-bottom cushioning for maximum warmth and pressure distribution and all-day comfort for skiing and snowboarding.

BRIDGEDALE.COM 28

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CUSA TEA INSTANT TEA Cusa Tea is the world’s first premium, organic instant tea. Just like a fresh-steeped cup of tea, but ready in three seconds! Made with zero sugar, preservatives or flavorings. Perfect for travel, camping and adventures in this busy world. Use “Cusa30%” online for 30 percent off your first order.

CUSATEA.COM

BIG AGNES MEN’S FIRE TOWER BELAY JACKET There are mornings, nights and weeks during the winter that require insulation above and beyond the normal puffy. Our Fire Tower Belay Jacket is puffed up with 700-fill power DownTek™ that insulates your body with fully baffled construction—ensuring no cold spots and maximum heat retention.

BIGAGNES.COM

GET THE HOTTEST PRODU C TS S PEC I A L A DV ERT I S I N G S EC T I O N

ENO SUPERSUB HAMMOCK

MOUNTAIN HOUSE T M BREAKFAST BUCKET

75° PIONEER / VORTEX AERO SKI CARRIER MOUNTS

Weighing a mere 9.8 ounces, the SuperSub™ Hammock shaves weight without sacrificing comfort. The SuperSub™ has the same spacious dimensions as the top-selling DoubleNest™ Hammock and an impressive 300-pound weight rating. Combine it with the Helios Suspension System to give you all the ENO creature comforts in a trail ready package.

If you really love breakfast, then the Mountain House Breakfast Bucket is for you! Each bucket contains a whopping 30 servings of our favorite breakfast foods—that’s more than enough to feed the whole family. A bonus? Mountain House’s Breakfast Bucket is compact and stackable, making it easy to store or take with you on the go!

The Pioneer / Vortex Aero Ski Carrier Bracket mounts a Rhino Rack ski carrier at a 75 degree angle to all Rhino-Rack Pioneer and base rack systems. The engineering of this product allows you to free up space on the top of your Pioneer System or crossbars for more accessories.

ENONATION.COM

MOUNTAINHOUSE.COM

RHINORACK.COM

ROMP SKIS CUSTOM SKIS

OSPREY PACKS TRAILKIT The TrailKit is perfect for runners, cyclists or anyone who needs organization so they can spend less time digging for lost gear and more time doing what they love. Rugged like a duffel, it carries like a backpack and organizes to match your lifestyle. It’s a grab-and-go base camp for any activity, anywhere.

OSPREYPACKS.COM

Romp Skis designs and builds a unique pair of custom skis for each customer.

We meticulously test the shapes of our skis so we know we are creating skis our customers will love.

Romp Skis enhance skier’s skills and improve their strength.

Romp Skis make skiing more fun.

ROMPSKIS.COM

SEA TO SUMMIT COMFORT PLUS SI MAT The Comfort Plus SI series combines the comfort of a threeinch air mattress with the support and selfinflating performance of a foam core—without the expected weight. This is made possible by our patent pending Delta Core™ technology, which removes the optimal amount of foam without sacrificing support or durability.

SEATOSUMMIT.COM D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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GIVE THE BEST G IFTS THIS YEAR S PEC I A L A DV ERT I S I N G S EC T I O N

BIG AGNES WOMEN’S SHOVELHEAD HOODED JACKET

ALPINE START INSTANT COFFEE

The latest product in Under Armour’s Fat Tire line, this waterproof winter hiker features The Boa System, which provides a smooth, uniform closure and performance fit. It’s built to shed water, mud and ice.

The Fat Tire Govie SE also features waterproof GORETEX construction, an OrthoLite insole for comfort and a Michelin outsole for excellent traction.

Utilizing the same innovative materials as our award-winning sleeping bags, the Shovelhead Hooded Jacket is just as ready for dawn-patrol ski turns as it is for sunset happy hour. With 700 fill power DownTek™, you can add warmth to your jacket quiver without increasing bulk.

Quality Coffee, Instantly. At home or on the go, hot or cold, high or low, Alpine Start is up for the challenge. Each box contains eight singleserve coffee packages poised to deliver a rich cup of coffee at its peak, anytime, anywhere.

Explore more at alpinestartfoods.com

THEBOASYSTEM.COM

BIGAGNES.COM

ALPINESTARTFOODS.COM

UNDER ARMOUR FAT TIRE GOVIE SE

LOKI MOUNTAIN HOODIE EXTREME

ENVY SNOW SPORTS SKI FRAME LEMS SHOES BOULDER BOOT

Loki’s legendary all-in-one Mountain Hoodie Extreme’s Patented Pro Cuffs instantly cover your hands, and the patented Faceshield covers your face in a hurry. This Colorado classic is now waterproof, windproof and breathable with fuzzier warmth. Larger pockets hold more gear and the features deploy with ease. Always be ready for Colorado’s changing weather.

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Love skiing but hate ski boots? The revolutionary Envy Ski Frame allows skiers to go alpine skiing in snowboard boots. Skiers can now enjoy soft, warm, and comfortable boots on the slopes, around the lodge, and walking to and from the mountain.

Break the mold with the Envy Ski Frame.

ENVYSNOWSPORTS.COM

Travel broadens the mind. The Boulder Boot broadens the sole. This natural foot-shaped boot has become the go-to for travelers looking to save space and weight. The 1200-denier nylon and nu-buck leather make for an ideal water-resistant combo, while the IBR outsole grants flexibility so they can pack down to the size of your puffy jacket. From trail to town, this boot will become a favorite travel companion.

LEMSSHOES.COM

ENT ER TO W IN AMAZING GEAR! S PEC I A L A DV ERT I S I N G S EC T I O N

ALPINE START Instant Coffee ROMP SKIS Pair of custom built skis (any any shape and style)

BRIDGEDALE Pair of men’s & women’s socks (MerinoFusion™ Trekker)

ENO Lounger DL Chair

OSPREY PACKS Transporter 65 BIG AGNES Men’s Fire Tower Belay Jacket

CUSA TEA Instant Tea

ENVY SNOW SPORTS Ski Frame

SEA TO SUMMIT Comfort Plus SI Mat

SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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YOU DON’T NEED A REASON TO HELP OTHERS Special Advertising Section

During this giving season, we wanted to call out the organizations and people in our state who truly do give back to the community and the planet. To that end, we give you a chance to meet the hard-working, motivated and inspirational indivduals behind these Colorado nonprofits. We let them explain their mission, their motivation to keep fighting the good fight and the opportunities they see for hope.

ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM

Faces of Colorado Non-Profits UPADOWNA

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

NAME:

“After spending many years in Colorado and not taking full advantage of all the outdoor activities we have, I decided it was time to unleash my adventurous side,” says Cordoba. “Not sure where to start, I looked online for outdoors enthusiast’s groups and came across UpaDowna. After participating in a few events, I was hooked.”

OPPORTUNITY: “Through UpaDowna, I have meet incredible friends, tried exciting new activities such as rock climbing, SUP, backpacking and camping,” says Cordoba. “I even hiked new trails throughout the city.”

UPADOWNA.ORG

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Elizabeth

Carlos Fernandez

MISSION:

MOTIVATION:

NAME:

NAME:

Nadia Cordoba UpaDowna’s mission is to make the outdoors accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability. We want to encourage our community to experience the benefits of spending time outdoors, disconnecting from our technology- driven world and being moved by nature.

SOS OUTREACH

MISSION: The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends.

MOTIVATION:

“The next generation motivates me, especially my daughter,” says The Nature Conservancy’s state director Fernandez. “We need to protect the places we love to live, work and play so future generations can enjoy all the benefits of Colorado. I am also an avid angler and skier, so I know how important it is to connect with nature through recreation.”

OPPORTUNITY: “Colorado has so much to offer, but we do face many challenges with our rapidly growing population and increased needs for energy, food and water,” says Fernandez. “That is why we need to act now to take on these challenges with new, innovative strategies to conserve our most important lands, restore our forests, protect our rivers and make our cities more sustainable.”

NATURE.ORG/COLORADO

MISSION: SOS Outreach delivers long-term life skills development to youth through progressive outdoor programs, providing value to the communities where we operate.

MOTIVATION: Founded in the Vail Valley 25 years ago, SOS Outreach has evolved from humble beginnings to become a national leader among outdoorbased youth development organizations, making outdoor recreation a reality for more than 5,000 underserved youth each year.

OPPORTUNITY: “Before SOS, I saw no future for myself and I didn’t know who I was,” says SOS graduate, Elizabeth. “I was constantly putting myself down. My SOS [mentor] group has helped me become a stronger, new me.

Not only do I smile, but I have found myself reaching out for help instead of holding it in. SOS is not only an organization for kids, but is a rescue center for most.”

SOSOUTREACH.ORG

MISSION: WOLF NAME: Mike Gaarde

MISSION: Mission: Wolf is an educational, solarpowered wildlife sanctuary for wolves, wolf-dog crosses and horses.

MOTIVATION:

Mike Gaarde has spent over four years working with wild canines at Mission: Wolf, and he is looking forward to a long, bright future at the sanctuary.

He originally came to Mission: Wolf as a shortterm volunteer, but he instantly fell in love with the place. He has since trained to become the Animal Caretaker, and now oversees the care of 30-40 captive-born wolves and wolf-dogs.

OPPORTUNITY: As a child, Mike’s passion was wolves. He always dreamed of eventually opening or running a wolf sanctuary to help animals in need. Mike plans to spend his life at Mission: Wolf and eventually wants to step into a directorial role. Through his passion and dedication to the wolves, he has been able to live his dream every day.

CONSERVATION COLORADO

THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

NAME:

NAME:

Dan Wulfman, Founder & President, Tracks & Trails

Simon

MISSION:

Rescuing captive born and bred wildlife that are found in illegal or abusive situations.

Tracks & Trails delivers carefully-crafted, self-guided road trips that help clients from around the world create warm memories together while exploring natural places all over the West. The secret sauce is the rustic comfort of a fully-outfitted RV.

MOTIVATION: “In 1995, I left a corporate career in the big city and embarked on a mind-blowing, year-long Western camping trip,” says Wulfman. “Eventually sinking roots in Colorado, I started a family and launched a travel business that experts said would never fly.”

OPPORTUNITY: “Without access to public lands, we don’t have jobs,” says Wulfman. “But that’s not what drives us. We have a deep love for them. We want all Americans to see why they must love them, too. That’s why we do what we do and why we support Conservation Colorado and the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance.”

MISSIONWOLF.ORG

CONSERVATIONCO.ORG

MISSION:

MOTIVATION: With over 25,000 large carnivores living outside the zoo system in the United States, rescue efforts and Sanctuaries are highly needed.

OPPORTUNITY: The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary in the world dedicated exclusively to rescuing captive exotic and endangered large carnivores, providing them with a wonderful life for as long as they live, and educating about the tragic plight faced by an estimated 30,000 such animals in America today. There is plenty of space for the animals’ large acreage habitats, along with room to grow while still maintaining large grassland buffers. The Sanctuary provides the opportunity to prevent suffering and provide quality lives for rescued animals.

WILDANIMALSANCTUARY.ORG

Faces of Colorado Non-Profits PAGOSA NORDIC

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION

NAME: James Dickhoff, President

MOTIVATION: PNC is a 100-percent-volunteer nonprofit organization serving as advocates for Nordic Skiing in the Pagosa Springs Area. PNC Grooms up to 45km of trails for skate skiing and classic cross-country skiing. Through collaborative relationships with the Pagosa Ranger District and Wolf Creek Ski Area, our community offers up to 70km of groomed Nordic ski trails. We also work with the Wolf Creek Trail Blazer Snowmobile Club who grooms up to 100 miles of multi-use winter trails.

OPPORTUNITY: PNC has strong community support and recently raised local funding to purchase a used snowcat groomer, a tracked UTV and two snowmobiles.

PAGOSANORDIC.COM

NAME:

NAME:

Luz Ortega

Guthrie Alexander

MISSION: The Pagoas Nordic Club (PNC) enhances winter recreation opportunities in Pagosa Springs by providing groomed Nordic ski trails and promoting trail use through education, marketing and events.

BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS

MISSION: The Continental Divide Trail Coalition’s (CDTC) mission is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The CDTC will do this by building a strong and diverse trail community, providing upto-date information to the public and encouraging conservation and stewardship of the trail, its corridor and surrounding landscapes.

MOTIVATION: “I am motivated by the opportunity to be involved in the CDT and its programs at such a pivotal time in the trail’s development as we move towards completion,” says Alexander, CDTC’s conservation program manager.

OPPORTUNITY: “As a trail, a landscape and a community, we can create meaningful conservation on a nationwide scale in a way that’s accessible as a world class outdoor experience,” says Alexander.

CONTINENTALDIVIDETRAIL.ORG

MISSION: The mission of Big City Mountaineers (BCM) is to instill critical life skills in under-resourced youth through transformative wilderness mentoring experiences.

MOTIVATION: “The BCM trip helped me to find something I absolutely loved doing,” says BCM grad, Ortega. “I had never experienced backpacking before. If I hadn’t gotten involved in youth development organizations like BCM, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The main difference I see in myself because of BCM is my ability to make my own decisions and listen to my gut.

In the outdoors that’s what you have to do—make important decisions and follow your gut.”

OPPORTUNITY: You can support BCM by volunteering as a mentor, donating, and by joining our Summit For Someone climbing program which helps raise important funds for our youth programs.

BIGCITYMOUNTAINEERS.ORG

D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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SATURDAY DEC. 9

The World’s Largest

ROCKIES 2018

VOTE FOR

YOUR FAVORITE ROCKY MOUNTAINS BUSINESSES, PEOPLE, EVENTS AND PLACES. VOTING RUNS DECEMBER 4-22.

VOTE DAILY AT ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM 34

E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / D E C E M B E R 2 017

Santa Ski OVER 800 SANTAS!

Lift ticket to Ski Crested Butte for

only $25!

www.CBSANTACRAWL.com Sponsored by Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Join us that night for the famous Santa Pub Crawl!

STOCKING STUFFERS FOR

THE BACKCOUNTRY BOUND BROUGHT TO YOU BY LAUREN SEIDL, SIERRA TRADING POST WHAT DO YOU GIVE THE PERSON who is content with nothing but the sun on their face and dirt under their feet? Something to make exploring the outdoors even more enjoyable, of course! These eight stocking stuffer suggestions are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any hiker, camper, climber and lover of all things outdoors.

H EAD L AMP Hands-free lighting is a must-have for navigating, setting up tents and cooking in the dark. Look for something with different brightness settings to make battery life easier to conserve.

CAM P STOVE Small gas stoves are mandatory for backpackers, especially when fires aren’t an option. Keep in mind that these stoves don’t always come with fuel canisters, but that’s another inexpensive gift you can get for your wilderness explorer.

SPO RK T he classic spoon/fork combo is the perfect eating utensil for outdoor explorers trying to keep packs light. The best models of this wilderness flatware even include a serrated knife edge along with the Spork.

L IGHT WE I G H T N EC K GA ITER A stretchy, breathable neck gaiter (think: Buff ) is the ultimate accessory for outdoorsy types. This handy piece can be worn as a headband, a hat, a balaclava and/or almost anything you can imagine. Whoever receives this gift can be sure that their head will be protected from sweat, the sun and chilly temps.

CAM P MU G A lightweight, packable mug or travel cup is a musthave for tent dwellers. Bonus points if it’s collapsible or comes with a lid. But as long as it can hold hot coffee, it’s a winner.

SOCK S Socks might sound like a boring gift but, to hikers, they are gold. A good pair of socks is necessary to keep feet dry, warm and blister-free. And dry, warm, blister-free feet are necessary to tackle miles of trail.

FO L D I NG K NI F E Knives are great tools for wilderness explorers to

have. They can be used to cut tinder for fires, make repairs in a pinch, cut food (or open camp food packaging) and more.

CA MP TOW EL Camp towels are lighter and far more absorbent than your run-of-the-mill bathroom towel. This small piece of gear adds big comfort to a camping or hiking trip. A towel can wipe off wet gear, dirty dishes and, of course, wet hands.

FIND THESE STOCKING STUFFERS AND MORE OUTDOOR GIFTS AT EVERYDAY VALUE PRICES BY SHOPPING SIERRA TRADING POST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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12. 17

Meet the gear we loved, beat up and relied on out in the wild. These are the winners of Elevation Outdoors’ Winter 2017-2018 Peak Gear Awards.

VAT I ON E L 1

OU

2

TDOOR

Twice each year we ask our stable of core contributors to nominate the gear that they actually go out and use most. We ask them: What was the best gear you used over the past year? What gear can’t you live without? What gear changed your life?

S

THE TOP TOYS

E

GEAR

4

3

CONTRIBUTORS: AARON BIBLE, ROB COPPOLILLO, JAMES, DZIEZYNSKI, WILL HARLAN, MIKE HORN, CHRIS KASSAR, LILY KRASS, CAMERON MARTINDELL, DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN, TYRA SUTAK, CHRIS VAN LEUVEN, ZACH WHITE

1. DPS Wailer 106 Tour1 WHY IT WON: We brought this ski on a BC hut trip because we wanted a little more float in deep snow than you get from the usual touring ski.

From the first few turns during a warmup day at Red Mountain, we loved it. It’s stable on edge yet ready to dump speed and smear. And the light construction never seemed to limit it on descents.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: The lifts at Red Mountain, British Columbia, and seven days of touring at the Hilda Hut. $1,099 l dpsskis.com

2. Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 WHY IT WON: This is a true quiver-of-one boot.

At 26.5 ounces per boot, it’s light enough for comfortable touring. But with four buckles and a 130 flex rating, it also has the guts to drive big skis at the resort. We know you hear that about a lot of boots, but we suggest you try this one; it will replace three other boots you save for different situations. Tech fittings seal the deal.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Breckenridge resort and the Summit County backcountry $799; atomic.com

3. Scarpa Maestrale RS WHY IT WON: It’s a touring boot that inspires confidence. Not only is it one of the most comfortable boots we have skinned and boot packed in, it’s also easy to adjust and flip between ski and tour modes. That’s a godsend when you’re running laps in the backcountry. And on the down?

The 130 flex proves its worth in tight, steep spots and when you open it up in a powder-filled bowl.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry, Indian Peaks backcountry, Eldora, Loveland resort and Loveland Pass backcountry. $795; scarpa.com

4. Burton Step On System WHY IT WON: Landscape-altering innovation in

6 snowboard boots and bindings is rare. With the Step-On system, Burton appears to have solved the problems that sunk the much maligned step-in bindings of snowboarding’s past. This system is intuitive and effective. It won’t be for everyone, especially riders who crank down on their straps before dropping into a line. But it has the potential to convert a bunch of folks while also making it easier for newbies to get in and out of their gear.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Vail. $549-$649; burton.com

5. Flylow Foxy Bib WHY IT WON: Super-durable and flattering, this women’s specific bib looks cute while remaining functional. The back flap makes for easy bathroom breaks (usually an unaddressed issue in ladies’ bibs). We appreciated the kangaroo pouch for storing snacks or a phone, and the vents are quick and easy to open on the skin track.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Backcountry in the Rockies, resort storm skiing in the Pacific Northwest. $390; fylowgear.com

6. Flow Rush WHY IT WON: Quite simply this is the perfect all-around board for Colorado. It performs on groomers, ice and hardpack. The rockered board excels in burly resort terrain, but it’s also fun in backcountry powder, and predictably responsive in any setting. It even held its own in the park.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: A full season of riding, from resorts (Snowmass, Loveland, Keystone, Breck, Durango) to the backcountry (fourteeners, Berthoud Pass, hut trips). $520; flow.com

5

7. Sierra Designs Nitro WHY IT WON: A strong environmental consciousness scored big points for us here. Sierra Designs is among the first in the outdoor industry to produce PFC-free sleeping bags. This green bag performs just as well, but without the harmful toxins coating the usual bag with PFCs. Plus, with temperature ratings including 35, 20 and 0 degrees, the line of Nitro PFC-free bags can match up to camping in any season.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: The wilds of North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest; winter camping on Kenosha Pass and in the Lost Creek Wilderness, Colorado. $300-$330; sierradesigns.com

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8. Patagonia Micro Puff Hoodie WHY IT WON: This ultralight, multi-functional layer imparts an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, making it our favorite puffy to toss in the pack no matter the adventure. The synthetic insulation has all the warmth of down and packs down small, but it can withstand the wet of winter better. We also appreciate that Patagonia is a B Corp, mandated to put environmental and social good above pure profit— and it fights for public lands like Bears Ears National Monument.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Backpacking trips throughout Colorado, climbing forays in Utah, snowshoeing up Colorado fourteeners, resort skiing at Monarch Mountain, ice climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park $299; patagonia.com

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9. Edelrid Rap Line II WHY IT WON: Skimo rappelling, ski touring on a glacier, or as a tag line on rock—this is one versatile rope. Rappelling, it stretches less than a dynamic cord, making it easier to handle and pull. On a glacier, it hauls like a champ. If your dynamic cord sticks on a rock, you can double the Rap Line II and it acts as a twin rope, so you can lead back up to retrieve your climbing rope. We trust it.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Rocky Mountain National Park, Eldorado Canyon and Boulder Canyon, Colorado; Red Rocks, Nevada; the Canadian Rockies $170-$600 (varies by diameter and length); edelrid.com

10. Black Diamond ATC Pilot WHY IT WON: In a word, safety: It provides a quick, brake-assisted catch and it’s smoother to lower with than similar devices. Because it provides a break assist, you can lose control of the rope while lowering someone and not drop them— a huge safety feature.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Dry tooling in Vail, scary trad climbing in Eldorado Canyon, sport climbing in Big Thompson Canyon $45; blackdiamondequipment.com

10 7

11. Trek Farley 5 8 9

WHY IT WON: The well-sorted geometry on this fat bike provides a balanced ride and proper fit, plus it comes with an impressive componentry package for the price. Trek also put enough forethought in the frame to allow for upgrades like a stealth-style dropper post or five-inch tires. It opens up a new world of winter fun on the trail.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Fat-bike trails in Crested Butte and Leadville $1,730; trekbikes.com

12. Sweet Protection Trooper WHY IT WON: This helmet is as good on the way up as it is on the way down. Unique thermoplastic-laminated carbon fiber construction (they call it TLC) makes this one of the lightest, yet safest, freeride lids on the market. The venting air channels are easy to open and close and it locks into place securely on your noggin.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Eldora, Indian Peaks backcountry and Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry; Verbier, Switzerland $280; sweetprotection.com

13. Black Crows Atris Birdie WHY IT WON: This seriously fun all-mountain resort ski handles well in pretty much any conditions. We skied it through cold smoke in the Rockies, chundery crud in the Northwest, bulletproof hardpack and crust, and felt confident and stable in it all. Note: The Atris Birdie is the women’s version (which we tested); men’s is just called the Atris.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: In-bounds all over Colorado: A Basin, Vail, Aspen, Eldora, Silverton, Breck, Copper, Loveland Pass. Plus, Crystal Mountain, Washington, and Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia. $770; black-crows.com

HIS: Get Creative

HIS: Solid Underfoot

His

FERAL MOUNTAIN BACKCOUNTRY JOURNAL Denver’s hip Feral Mountain Co. retail store launched into making its own products (via an Indiegogo campaign) with this beautiful leather journal meant to encourage creativity—be it writing love poems or sketching mountain tops or taking notes on climbing routes—out in the wild away from electronics and screens. $45; indiegogo.com

BOGS WORKMAN

GIFT GUIDE

12. 17

Hers

Able to shuck the messiest slush and tromp in deep snow, these sturdy winter boots prove multi-functional for everything from shoveling the driveway to chilling with beers on the A-Basin Beach. $150; bogsfootwear.com

HERS: Vision Quest TOMS WOMEN’S SUNGLASSES

HERS: Say What?!

MALE MODELS + THE XX FACTOR

SOUND HUGGLE HEADPHONES These soft and cozy bluetooth headphones are a warm way to stay tuned in while out in cold temps.

Plus, they fold easily into a daypack or work bag. Available in red, gray, or charcoal. $117; soundhuggle.com

Want to outfit the bros in your life with stuff they don’t know they need? Dig into our annual gift guide for him. And, dudes, remember that your lady friends love gear, too. Pick from this list, wrap and give.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN AND RADHA MARCUM

HERS: Cuddle On the Go KAMMOK FIREBELLY TRAIL QUILT

HIS: Always a Winner EUROSOCK SKI SOCK SUPREME

Snuggle up under the winter stars with this cozy, down-filled layer, or take it on your next hut trip to throw over sleeping bags for extra warmth. $199; kammok.com

You can never go wrong buying guys socks (yes, because their feet stink them out so quickly). These comfy socks even cut down on that stink. Amen. $25; eurosock.com

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Toms provides eye exams, glasses and sight-saving surgery to those in need when you gift a pair of their stylish sunglasses. Try the Yvette or Beachmaster lines for versatile on-off trail style. $140; toms.com

HIS: Surprise Him LULULEMON METAL VENT TECH HOODIE Yes, he thinks Lulu is for women.

He’ll change his tune when he puts on this comfy anti-stink hoodie shirt that serves as everything from ski baselayer to bike commuting standby to the perfect option for long plane rides. $98; shop.lululemon.com

HERS: Always a Winner

HIS: Light and Warm

GIESSWEIN YUKON HOUSESHOES

MONTBELL FROST SMOKE PARKA

A pair of these boiled wool indoor-outdoor shoes keep toes toasty warm, while perfectly molding to each foot’s contours.

They’re lightweight, breathable and unbelievably comfortable. $98; giessweinusa.com

A perfect combination of light weight and insulating warmth make this 800-fillgoose-down technical puffy a shell that will see a lot of use— whether he throws it on while belaying, stashes it along as an emergency mid-layer or takes it brew-pub hopping in Denver. $259; montbell.us

HIS: Cozy Up Commuter

HERS: Fly the Flannel

SHIMANO TRANSIT FLEECE JERSEY

FLYLOW BRIGITTE TECH FLANNEL

Tech-centric bike brand Shimano also makes some functional yet surprisingly stylish apparel. This warm fleece will be your bike commuter's new best friend. $85; shimanolifestylegear.com

Wear it on the trail or out-andabout. This year-round mountain staple is a no-brainer. Made to look like flannel but wearing like poly, it’s well cut and breathable, an instant favorite. $90; flylowgear.com

This large-knit, fleece-lined hat is just one of dozens of cute new designs from Chaos. Check out their website for an array of colors and flare from pompoms to furry ear flaps.$24; chaoshats.com

HERS: And Share Alike

LULULEMON DOWN FOR A RUN VEST

WOOD’S ALPINE RYE WHISKEY

This form-fitting down-filled vest keeps you warm at the core but cooled and energized at the same time. With a stash pocket in the back, it’s perfect for winter running, hiking or ski touring. $148; lululemon.com

Hand crafted at a micro-distillery in Salida, Colorado, from a mixture of malt-rye and barley, this classic is aged in oak for a rich, spicy flavor.

Wood’s only produced 1,000 bottles so grab it while you still can. $50; woodsdistillery. com

HIS: Turn It Up

HERS: Head Case CHAOS TAFTA BEANIE

HERS: Core Comfort

HIS: Share the Goods BRECKENRIDGE BOURBON WHISKEY Combining bourbon distilled in Summit County and Kentucky, this tasty hootch is a gift to share by a warm fire or out of a flask out in the wilds. $32-$80; breckenridge distillery.com

BRAVEN BRV-XXL Built for outdoor use, this beast of a portable bluetooth speaker brings the party anywhere his van life takes him.

Clean, powerful sound distinguishes it from similar models. $300; braven.com

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Rescued From Darkness and Misery...

And Given Incredible Freedom Over 450 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wolves and other rescued animals live on a 720 Acre Refuge located on the open plains of Colorado! “Yoya� spent 19 years in this tiny cage prior to being rescued...

Our rescued animals have no family other than those who choose to keep them close to their hearts. Please add them to the list of those you care about this holiday season.

WildAnimalSanctuary.org

HEAR THIS

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THE FIVE BEST ALBUMS OF 2017 Dig into our picks for the top releases of the past year and let the music inspire your outdoor adventures in 2018.

by JEDD FERRIS

L

ast year kept us busy listening to new music at festivals across the West, in our cars and on our headphones. It was tough to winnow down a favorites list, but here are the 2017 albums we keep playing and will continue to play.

THE WAR ON DRUGS

“A D E E P E R U N D E R S TA N D I N G ” Adam Granduciel, the architect behind The War on Drugs, fronts an explosive live band. But the studio is where he does his most obsessive work, playing most instruments and meticulously layering sounds to create colorful, emotive indie rock. “A Deeper Understanding” is his deepest dive into his usual sound lab; Granduciel revealed he was suffering from anxiety while recording, and immersing himself in the album was therapy. You can feel his sense of purpose in standouts like “Holding On,” a driving anthem that draws on the 1980s heartland heyday but sounds fresh with shiny modern synths and perfectly placed ascending guitar notes. When Granduciel sings, it’s with hints of iconic folk-rock narrators—Dylan, Petty, Springsteen—grounding his celestial soundscapes with old-school interests. It makes for universal head trips navigated via comforting studio magic.

FLEET FOXES

“C R AC K- U P ” After a five-year break that included studying at Columbia University, Robin Pecknold reunited Fleet Foxes to release this wildly ambitious record.

“Crack-Up” has plenty of the band’s trademark transcendent harmonies and uplifting swells of acoustic strumming, but Pecknold clearly wanted to take a bold step forward, experimenting beyond the band’s initial trendsetting indie folk aesthetic.

The result is a dense record full of twists and turns. Orchestral embellishments

mingle with prog-rock-minded tempo shifts and understated atmospherics to create moments of quiet introspective tension and soaring emotional release.

Lyrically, Pecknold reflects on personal insecurities through historical and literary references both near and far. In the eightplus-minute ebb and flow of “Third of May/Odaighara,” he asks “Was I too slow?/”Did I change overnight?” in reference to the band's current place in the musical landscape since the release of its last album on May 3, 20011. Unpredictable energy makes this comeback statement compelling from start to finish.

another take on lost love, but the songs on “Prisoner” are less freewheeling, more succinct and honed. You still hear his alt-country roots, but these days he’s more interested in gritty heartland rock. Overall, Adams keeps the arrangements lean and spacious enough to deliver the message, and, as his voice fades in the closer, “We Disappear,“ he leaves us with a timeless break-up album.

NICOLE ATKINS

“G O O D N I G H T R H O N DA L E E ” Realizing it’s time to grow up can be a bummer, but New Jersey-bred, angel-voiced singer Nicole Atkins makes the reality check go down easy on “Goodnight Rhonda Lee.” The record is her ode to dispensing with a party-time alterego, and she delivers the kiss-off to past mistakes with retro grace. To make the album, Atkins traveled to Ft. Worth, Texas, and recorded at Niles City Sound, working with the crew that crafted Leon Bridges’ “Coming Home” to hone a sound that mixes vintage soul and pop. “Listen Up” is a personal wake-up call through hard-hitting infectious R&B, and “A Little Crazy,” penned with Chris Isaak, is a classic torch song that builds in intensity, thanks to Atkins’ powerful vocals. It’s vintage revivalism done right.

RYAN ADAMS

“PRISONER” Ryan Adams has long been a great songwriter, but in the two decades since launching his solo career, he’s become an improved and adept editor, too. “Prisoner” is arguably his most focused and cohesive set of tunes to date. Music media has beaten his source material to death; he wrote the lyrics following the dissolution of his marriage to actress Mandy Moore, and it chronicles the stages and emotional fallout of a failed relationship. From the hard-charging opener, “Do You Still Love Me?,” to the icy, lonesome ballad “Shiver and Shake,” Adams delivers diaristic revelations with urgent honesty—covering blame, anger, sadness and eventually hope for the future.

In many ways, the album channels the raw sonic atmosphere of Adams’ 2000 breakout “Heartbreaker,”

THE NATIONAL

“SLEEP WELL BEAST” On the National’s seventh album, the band sounds refreshingly unshackled; an effect it attributes to recording in the liberating environment of the upstate New York countryside.

While these songs still follow The National’s lengthy catalog of darkly engrossing, smart rock, the record showcases a tastefully expanded palette.

With co-writing help from his wife, deep-voiced frontman Matt Berninger tackles the mundane struggles and emotional intricacies that come with keeping a lengthy marriage intact.

In “The System Only Sleeps in Total Darkness,” he sings, “I thought that this would all work out after a while/Now you’re saying that I’m asking for too much attention.” Meanwhile, the band pulses forward with collective swagger, eventually making space for a disarmingly jagged guitar solo. Blame is cast aside, though, in “Guilty Party,” which starts with a Radiohead-approved glitchy drum track then sets a melancholy mood as it proceeds with slow-burning blend of synth effects. More extreme surprises: Berninger takes a side trip to rage about our current political situation in the art-punk stomper “Turtleneck,” and later comes around to deliver a tender-hearted declaration, “I’m gonna keep you in love with me for a while,” in the New Order-flavored ballad, “Dark Side of the Gym.” The National found the way to stretch out without losing its edge.

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THE ROAD

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EXTENDING THE BUZZ Want to be a ski bum for the rest of your life—and be loaded to boot? Groom the slopes and then start your own music festival.

A

by PADDY O’CONNELL

fter a hot summer, it was finally cold in Telluride. Well, crisp really, but cold enough that smiling festival attendees donned puffy coats, thick sweaters and heavy flannels. Some even pulled winter caps over their ears. I was all cozied up in some semblance of the festival uniform, arm slung over my gal’s shoulder, bopping to twanging guitars, molar-cracking bass lines and footstomping drums. Everyone around us swayed and jived to the music.

Everyone was happy.

The sun began to dip below the horizon line set by the valley floor, and tangerine brushstrokes smeared the north side of the town’s box canyon. The cold comes in a hurry here in Telluride in September at the Blues and Brews Festival—and so does a little bit of magic. This year’s big draw, Bonnie Raitt, would take the main stage in an hour or so, along with Steve Winwood.

Feeling the fest vibe and headliner anticipation, the crowd directly in front of the stage began to swell during Benjamin Booker’s set.

When night finally fell, and the star-peppered sky illuminated the dramatic peaks that burst up from town park, and Bonnie was only moments away, the crowd stood shoulder to shoulder. These are the moments that stick with you, that bring you to the Rockies and a festival like Blues and Brews.

R

ecovering ski bum Steve Gumble knows this scene well. After all, he’s more or less created it for the past 24 years.

CHILDREN OF THE CORN DOG TELLURIDE LOCAL AND MUSTACHE MODEL O'CONNELL KNOWS THE SECRET TO GETTING DOWN AT BLUES AND BREWS: ACT LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE. photo courtesy PADDY O’CONNELL

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BUT TELLURIDE CAPTURES MORE THAN JUST YOUR HEART, MORE, EVEN, THAN YOUR SKIBUM DREAMS. IT STEERS THE VERY DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE. IT INVADES YOUR SOUL AND BECOMES A PART OF YOU. His path is one that gives hope to ski and snowboard bums everywhere looking for a way to grow up without letting go of the dream.

The founder of Blues and Brews’ mountain-town story is not unique, at least not in how it began. He grew up in Pennsylvania and wanted to attend college near the beach and mountains. The obvious choice: University of New Hampshire. Like many a ski bum

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before him and many yet to come, he decided to take a year off after graduating and test his mettle in a big ski town. His girlfriend, whom he would later marry, had an in at her sister’s house in Telluride.

Gumble filled his post-grad summer piggy bank at a salmon cannery in Alaska and made it to Colorado in the fall. He planned to stay for a season. This winter will be his 30th.

All ski towns do something

mysterious to those who find them.

They have a way of grabbing your heart. Once secured, they never leave.

But Telluride captures more than just your heart, more, even, than your ski-bum dreams. It steers the very direction of your life. It invades your soul and becomes a part of you.

In the winter of 1987, Gumble got a job at nights grooming the slopes of the resort. “I sort of lied my way into the job,” he remembers. “I told them I knew how to drive snow cats but the ones I drove were bigger.

Of course, bigger snow cats did not exist.” Following closing day of his first season, Gumble escaped back east before Telluride could truly woo him. He lasted less than six months in Pennsylvania. “I’d fallen in love with the mountains and Telluride,” he says. He became a foreman and drove a cat for three more winters.

In 1991, after promising himself

he would do something other than drive a snowcat for the rest of his life, Gumble purchased a local liquor store in 1991. “I was basically spending a mortgage payment every month there so I decided to buy it,” he says. “That was my introduction to craft beers.”

Through his store, Gumble met craft brewer Jeff Lebesch, who’d just started New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins. At first, the pair exchanged beer for ski season couch crashing, but they quickly became friends. Lebesch urged Gumble to expand on the popularity of Telluride’s Wine Fest and create a mirroring beer festival.

Three years later, Gumble started the Telluride Brewers Festival, figuring 500 suds lovers would show up. More than double that attended. “The festival grew in popularity each year and I could sense that, although the town loved an event in our shoulder season, the beer festival was a little too focused on drinking,” says Gumble.

“I wouldn’t admit it back then, but it was basically a keg party on Main Street, so in 1997, I asked the town if I could add music. They loved the idea. I changed the name to Telluride Blues and Brews and invited The Funky Meters.”

Each year, Blues and Brews grew in attendance. And each year, Gumble spent all the proceeds on bigger bands. In 2004, Blues and Brews started making enough money to allow Gumble to sell his liquor store.

“We went from two Porta Potties, 20 breweries, a tent on Main Street and 1,000 people in 1994 to 125 Porta Potties, 56 breweries with over 150 types of beer and over 9,000 people in Telluride’s town park.” This year’s festival sold out a full two months in advance.

Following the overall success of Blues and Brews, Gumble created SBG Productions, a full-service event and festival production company.

Along with Blues and Brews, SBG helps put on The Durango Blues Train and recently took over production of Telluride’s Jazz Festival.

“I love telling my story from ski bum to Blues and Brews,” says Gumble. “I am truly fortunate to be someone who could make his dream come true in the mountains.”

A

long with Raitt and Winwood, this year’s Blues and Brews, which took place September 15-17, featured heavy hitters like Anders Osborne, the Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band and the Drive-By Truckers. Lesser known but just

IN 1994, GUMBLE STARTED THE TELLURIDE BREWERS FESTIVAL. HE FIGURED AROUND 500 SUDS-LOVING FOLKS WOULD SHOW UP. MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT ATTENDED. as head-bob-dance-inducing acts included Samantha Fish, Benjamin Booker and Hamish Anderson— plus, my personal favorite, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (Rev and I went to college together.

Go Bulldogs!). The three-day fest overflowed with music and corndogs, dumplings, and fried chicken sammies.

But Bonnie Raitt’s set was worth it all. Not only did she deliver the soundtrack to sweeping memories of every childhood family road trip, but she also gave me a gift. And I guess, so did Steve Gumble.

Early on during Bonnie’s set, my gal and I said, “I love you” for the first time. I’m not sure what song was playing when we finally admitted our admiration for the other, but the following tune was “Something To Talk About.” It was, well, it was goddamn perfect. I’ve been to more Blues and Brews festivals than I can count with both hands and both feet.

I’ve seen some of music’s biggest names in Telluride’s town park, arguably the greatest, most beautiful music venue on this planet, and the same fields where I’ve caught countless pop flies during summertime softball games. I’ve danced my ass off on those fest fields, laughed until my ribs hurt, and smiled so hard that my face was sore for a week. But Bonnie Raitt’s raspy, sultry set this year was far and away one of the best things to ever happen in Telluride.

Ski bumming, as it turns out, has a way of really doing some good. Yeah, I’m a little biased, I guess. Everyone may not fall in love at Blues and Brews. But it’s damn hard not to.

PADDY O’CONNELL IS A FREELANCE CREATOR, FOCUSING ON STORYTELLING AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION. ORIGINALLY FROM CHICAGO, PADDYO IS A COMBINATION OF A MIDWESTERN UPBRINGING AND AN EXTREME LOVE OF THE MOUNTAINS AND THE PASSIONS THEY HOLD.

the perfect Holiday gift Learn to XC Ski Clinics Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 10 DUST2 Fat Bike Race: 8km, 16km, kidk Jan 6 Pagosa Skiathlon:7km skate + 7km classic Jan 7 3km skate + 3km Youth Course Pagosa PAW Dog Sled Races Jan 20-21 Moonlight XC Ski Jan 31

Pagosa Winterfest: Feb 3-4

Hot Air Balloons/River Plunge/Craft Sled Race Feb 3 BB Gun Nordic Ski Biathlon: 8km, 16km, kidk Feb 3 Fat Bike Race: 8km, 16km, kidk Feb 4

Visit pagosanordic.com for more information.

shop.blueridgeoutdoors.com D E C E M B E R 2 017 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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ELWAYVILLE

12 .17

THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON It’s certainly been a long, tough year. Here’s how to find a bit of light at the end of it all.

by PETER KRAY

E

very year, I hold onto Christmas and the winter holidays for as long as I can. I look forward to basking in the love of the day, the generosity of people, the special sense of giving, and, inevitably, the remarkably clear memories that I have of so many Decembers past: bluebird ski days, epic blizzards and peering up from an icy car window, truly believing I might catch a glimpse of eight flying reindeer.

Last Christmas, long after my wife and new puppy had gone to bed, I sat in the living room watching the candles flickering in the fireplace.

Later, when I blew them out, I stared out at the stars. I wanted to soak in that long moment of universal peace, knowing full well that as a country, “calm” and “love” were not words we would be using much in our immediate future.

Looking back, it would be an understatement to say that America had a tough year. Hurricanes drowned major cities with record-breaking floods, taking lives and livelihoods and leaving behind the mildew of disease and fear. From California to Oregon, wildfires ravaged vineyards, backyards and national parks, in mere seconds burning acres of old growth forest we may never see reborn.

Illustration by Kevin Howdeshell / THEBRAVEUNION.COM

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And in a remarkable movement of shortsighted greed, corporate appeasers started to steal the public lands that belong to us all.

In Las Vegas, a lone gunman cowardly slaughtered 59 people. In Hollywood, Harvey Weinstein’s, Kevin Spacey’s and Louis CK’s histories of sexual exploitation were unveiled.

That long-standing massive culture of harassment against women came out in the open through the simple, cathartic hashtag: #MeToo. Throughout it all, beloved architects of the American soundtrack like Chuck Berry, Glen Campbell and Tom Petty, kept checking out of this world, leaving us with fewer voices to sing us through the tears.

One good friend noticed that all the crazy weather started right after the eclipse, calling it a clear warning sign that Mother Nature had some serious changes in store. Another said it was last year’s election that continued to lower the standard of, “No, you are,” debates on the webo-spheres. While a Canadian friend simply said, “What is wrong with you people? You have it all.”

Which makes me think of how Agent Smith explained to Neo in The Matrix that humans rejected the original computer program for a perfect world. He said it was because, “as a species, human beings define their reality through suffering and misery. The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from.”

On a random side note, Hugo Weaving, the actor who plays Agent Smith, also played Elrond in The Lord of the Rings, ranging in his skills from the embodiment of a computer virus to an Elvish lord. I find that wonderfully weird. Back on topic, the bad man did have a point. Many of us wake up every day looking for a reason to be mad at each other. For the “hate pimps” on the far left and right fringes of the media, this anger has fueled very lucrative careers. Careers they want to last.

Which is why as the planet warms and whole species progressively disappear, we choose instead to invent new causes like “The War on Christmas” (seriously?!) while debating if the true measure of patriotism boils down to whether someone stands or kneels when the American flag is unfurled on a football field. To be clear, I do stand for the national anthem before each Broncos game, in my home office, by myself, with my hand over my heart. It makes me feel good. Kind of in the same way Christmas makes me happy. Or way I feel each morning when I wake up next to my beautiful wife and dog.

But I also know there is real bigotry, oppression, and misguided hate toward minorities, women, and people who truly pursue the uniquely American “pursuit of Happiness” by embracing their own innate sense of sexuality or religion of soul. I know when someone says their right to love, their land, or their way of life is under attack, I should shut up and listen to why.

Rather than telling them what I think, I need to understand what they feel.

As a country we need to find more time to listen to each other, and to celebrate the message of this season throughout the year. We need to understand that we are all on this planet together, earth mates who are part of a greater ecosystem of creatures, plants, and elements that need each other to survive and grow. If we could all just find one way to "give" back to our community, to nature, to protecting our heritage, and even to our democracy, we could collectively create a better world for us all to share. I wish every one of you the best. Peace on earth, and goodwill to all.

—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: BIT.LY/GODOFSKIING

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