13. Colorado Ext. II - Rocky Mt NP

Hey travel buddies!

We've been on an epic adventure, visiting ski resorts to see what winter has in store. We explored Crested Butte, Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone. Vail was especially cool with its Austrian vibes, thanks to legendary Austrian skiers like Hermann Maier. They even have a charming Austrian town with a restaurant called "Pepi's" that serves delicious Austrian dishes. We didn’t try it though, as it was quite pricey. Instead, we packed sandwiches and tackled the "Grand Traverse," a 10-hour hike that was totally worth it! We were rewarded with the sight of a mountain goat mom and her baby Billy goat. It was hilarious when Theo mistook them for ice bears! I carefully approached to snap some pictures without scaring them off, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

On the 4th of July, we celebrated Independence Day in Breckenridge. Experiencing this American tradition was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it felt a bit like Fasnacht (carnival) in Switzerland. Independence Day marks the historic date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. It declared that the Thirteen Colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were united, free, and independent states. On that day, everyone forgets about differences and unites as one true nation.

The next day, we were up early at 4 am to conquer another 14,000 ft mountain, Quandary Peak (14,271 ft / 4,350 m), the highest summit of the Tenmile Range. While many hiked the normal route, we took the more challenging and exciting West Traverse, enjoying the solitude and the adventure.

In the afternoon, Theo had a blast downhill biking at Keystone ski resort. We also found an awesome climbing spot at Montezuma where we toproped a 5.11—such a thrill! Shopping at Safeway brought some homesick laughter as we found "Lucerne" products, almost like being back home.

In Rocky Mountain National Park, we hiked up Mount Ida (12,880 ft / 3,926 m). Starting at Milner Pass (10,759 ft), the Continental Divide, we traversed the breathtaking landscape, spotting marmots, pikas, white-tailed ptarmigan (alpine chicken), and a herd of big horns. We even saw an elk right at the trailhead. Part of the hike was through the beautiful alpine tundra, with its extreme winds, cold temperatures, and intense sunrays. This unique ecosystem, covering one-third of the park, starts at an elevation of 11,500 ft. Winter here lasts about 9 months, and summers have an average temperature of 11°C. We marveled at how plants grow close to the ground to survive and how animals like marmots hibernate, pikas collect food all summer, and ptarmigans change their plumage with the seasons.

We also tackled Longs Peak (14,255 ft / 4,346 m), the only 14,000 ft mountain in the northern Rockies of Colorado. Starting at 4 am, we braved snow and rain, taking a more adventurous route involving scrambling and route finding (the Loft). Rocky Mountain National Park truly lives up to its name with its incredible wildlife.

In Laminar County, the Devil's Backbone Open Space offers amazing geologic landmarks, cultural features, scenic vistas, and recreation opportunities. Boulder, Colorado, is a really nice place. We visited the Flatirons and hiked up the Royal Arch trail. These rocks really look like irons, hence the name. Alex Honnold once came to Flatirons just to climb this slab route. Climbing in Boulder rocks because to reach the climbing spot, you always need to cross the river via Tyrolean, which is super cool and a great workout for your abs. I managed to lead a 5.10c—so proud! After the climbs, there's always a refreshing bath in the river waiting for us. What a blast!

We've been sleeping under Thompson Canyon so we could literally just start climbing from our van (see photo). As Theo is nearing his 40s, we often start the day at 5 am. His saying is, "Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund" (The early bird catches the worm). I'm okay with waking up at normal times like 7-8 am unless we do a 14er—then 4 am is fine once in a while. My saying is, "Gold im Mund ist ungesund" (Gold in the mouth is unhealthy).

Since we haven't seen a shower (only river baths) since we were at my aunt's place in April in LA, we're planning a cozy night in a hotel to recharge and do some deep bathtub cleansing before heading to Wyoming.🤣

Cheers!Okumaya devam et