Front Range Mountain Guides of Colorado
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EXPEDITIONS INTERNATIONAL Front Range Mountain Guides of Colorado expeditions@mtnguides.com |
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Winter Camping |
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One of the benefits of having a guide service based in Colorado is the abundance of sunshine and reasonable weather year round. We find that there are many mountain enthusiasts who are based here or come from other parts of the country to ski or snowboard and never take advantage of the awesome climate during the winter months to go out on a winter backpack trip.
The winter provides unique opportunities and experiences, and offers a mountain adventure with less people around anywhere you decide to roam. We think the main reason for this decline in activity in the winter is due to many people not having experience in winter camping and feeling a bit less assured that they would know how to prepare and keep themselves warm, dry, and comfortable while camping in the snow in lower temperatures.
Our Winter Camping Course is a three day, two night adventure that is geared for the first time winter camper, or the person who has had some bad experiences camping out and wants to improve on their cold weather camping techniques. We choose an area according to snow conditions that is free from snow slide concerns, and which offers a good deal of scenery for us to enjoy while conducting this course.
On the first day, we meet near Boulder or Denver at 8:30 am. After a brief gear and clothing check, we divide up the food, pack up our tents and any other gear rentals you may have, and drive to the trailhead, which for this course is just over an hour's drive from either city. From here we will be in plastic boots and may choose to use snowshoes for our hiking in to the camping spot which is usually about a one and a half to two hour hike.
After learning how to set up our camp in the snow, we settle in and drink some warm fluids, eat some snacks and relax for the afternoon. The rest of the time is spent learning about organizing our gear in camp, and how to keep things dry and safe in this environment. Our evening meal is also a learning time, focusing on keeping things simple and manageable, to create a pleasant experience.
The following day, after breakfast and learning some of the routine of taking care of our camp, we head out on our snowshoes to explore the surrounding area to enjoy the photographic opportunities this beautiful snow covered environment offers. We may opt to hike up a nearby peak for higher views, or enjoy exploring the trails that lead to nearby lakes where we can have lunch.
Some of this time is spent learning about the environment around us. Reading animal tracks, working on our map and compass skills, building avalanche awareness skills including how to dig a snow pit and read snow layers to understand the snow’s stability. After dinner we’ll probably review some of the things we covered for the day, socialize, and enjoy our warm down bags as dark approaches.
The next morning we sleep in, and after a late morning breakfast served in your tent, we pack up, strap on the snowshoes, and head out to the trailhead.
The world of winter camping is a treat that you will be glad you tried. Come join us for an extended three day break from the office, or for
a few day after your next Ski / Boarding trip to Colorado for some quiet and peaceful time in the remarkable winter world of the Rockies.
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