News
Yesterday Joe McConaughy (“Stringbean”) set a new unsupported FKT for Vermont’s Long Trail in 4 days, 23 hours and 54 minutes, which equates to about 54 miles per day across constant roots, rocks, and muck. Join us tomorrow (Wednesday, June 17) at 8 PM EDT for “Story time with Stringbean,” during which we’ll rehash the…
Yosemite National Park began its phased reopening today. For the time being, only holders of wilderness and Half Dome permits are being allowed entry; visitation by the broader public sounds like it may start later next week. This official news green-lights our guided trips in the park scheduled for July and September. Honestly, it’s a…
Rocky Mountain National Park announced yesterday that they will begin a phased reopening starting on May 27. The press release is here. Most relevant to this readership, backcountry camping will be permitted right away, and will continue through the fall as normal. Even though Rocky is a National Park, the release points out that under…
Next month I’m hosting a free virtual clinic in partnership with the Colorado Mountain Club. Originally we’d scheduled an in-person gear and skills clinic in Golden, which I do most years for them, but, well, you know what happened. Key event details: Topic: Seven steps to plan a backpacking trip Online tutorial via Zoom Thursday,…
This morning I received a coronavirus update for Rocky Mountain National Park from the concessions manager. The italics are mine: In accordance with guidance from the White House, CDC, state and local public health authorities, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service are working to gradually resume operations and access to national…
The COVID-19 pandemic has me heartbroken by the death toll, saddened by the widespread fear, longing for social engagement, deflated by its economic impact, fascinated by the science, and — most of all right now — simply anxious to return to a “normal” that more closely resembles the old one than the current one. I’m…
To help me run my guided trip program last year, I hired David, who proved to be exceptional. Unfortunately, he’ll soon be stepping away after being offered a can’t-turn-it-down promotion at Flagstaff House that has much greater career potential than I could give him. So I’m looking to replace David, and to perhaps delegate other…
When I offered guided trips for the first time under my own company in 2011, it was a trial balloon of sorts — Will anyone even sign up? Thankfully, a few did — eighteen, to be exact. But that made me curious — What could this become? So for the next three seasons, I tried…
Open Application for 2020 guided trips started on December 15. It closed December 30 for the West Virginia and Utah locations, and it will be losing this Sunday, January 12, for Alaska, California, and the Rocky Mountains. If you’re interested in a 2020 trip, apply now for your best chance to get on your First…
Seasons greetings. I hope you are having a great week. Three quick announcements related to my 2020 guided trips: 1. Apply by December 28 for Utah and West Virginia Open Application started December 15 for all locations, and it will close for Utah and West Virginia on December 28 (or, more specifically, when I sit…