Back in 2019, I had the opportunity to combine a work trip with an extra night out backpacking somewhere in the Front Range between Denver and Colorado Springs. A little research led me to the Pike National Forest, Lost Creek Wilderness area, and the Goose Creek Trailhead. Cutting to the finale, it turned out to…Read more Risk Mitigation for Outdoor Adventure
Planning
Soyuz and Risk Management
It's old news at this point, but several weeks ago (October 11, 2018), the launch of Soyuz MS-10 suffered a failure of the second-stage booster, causing an automatic abort of the launch, and ejection of the crew capsule. Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague did NOT make it to their intended destination,…Read more Soyuz and Risk Management
A Group of First-Time Backpackers
It's been a while since I've done a full-on backpacking plan for a group of more than, say, four. This weekend, I've got 10 people headed out, many first-timers hitting the trail for the first time. It's a whole different dynamic when you can't rely on singles or pairs being self-sufficient and just sharing the…Read more A Group of First-Time Backpackers
The Eight (Yes, Eight) Seasons
Welcome to Groundhog Days! We're entering the second of eight outdoor seasons this year - Groundhog Days are that period where it's still winter-cold, but the skies are brightening. This combo means ideal conditions for winter camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc. - Cold, brisk winter weather, snow, but with lengthening afternoons that actually give you…Read more The Eight (Yes, Eight) Seasons
Imagining the Possibilities
Happy December, everybody! It's hard to believe we've come all the way around to the end of the year again, but happy to have completed the journey. For whatever reason, this time of year always stirs a wanderlust in me for getting out on the trail somewhere. It may be a conditioned response - with…Read more Imagining the Possibilities
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 