Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Sunday, May 26, 2013

From the Trailhead: Product Spotlight


Products: Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Hammock Double & Hammock Tree Sling Hanging Kit
Price: Starting at $55
Rating: 4.5/5


As an avid hiker, camper, and general adorer of the outdoors, I’ve always had an inclination towards
Grand Trunk Hammock
Grand Trunk's Parachute Hammock can find a home just about
anywhere in the outdoors.
sleeping under the stars.  I’ve jerry-rigged more loungers, hammocks, and sleep systems than I can count trying to optimize comfort while still enjoying the outdoors.

Grand Trunk’s Parachute Nylon Hammock offered me the opportunity to do both, quickly, easily, and most importantly, comfortably. 

The nylon parachute hammock by Grand Truck is a great solution for anyone that enjoys the great outdoors but is looking for something a little more comfortable than sleeping on the hard ground.  From rigging it up in the backyard for an afternoon spent reading, to summer camping under the stars, Grand Trunk’s Parachute Nylon Hammock offers a range of functionality that made it not only simple to set up, but even easier to maintain.

Not only does the hammock come with a stuff bag attached to the hammock itself (think: no need to keep track of the ever illusive stuff sack), it has nautical grade carabineers attached to the hammock, making anchoring to the hanging kit as simple as click n’ go – with absolutely no knot tying required. 

The parachute fabric not only allows for a light breathable, wickable fabric, it is quick drying and mildew resistant.  And this sucker is strong.  The double hammock can hold up to 400lbs, and after a quick snuggle with the honey, I can attest to strength and comfort of close to 300lbs.    

full sleep system hammock camping
Rain or shine, a hammock sleep
system is an affordable and simple
solution.
As for its size, it weighs 20oz and packs down approximately the size of a football.  While it may be heavier than ideal for most ultralight backpackers, if it was used as an entire sleep system replacing your tent and sleeping pad, coupled with a bivvy sack in the warm summer months, it would be nothing short of perfection.   I’ve even seen this set up in the winter months with the bivvy sack upgraded to a down sleeping bag.

The hanging kit is designed to not only protect trees from the abrasion of typical load bearing rope (great for the Leave No Trace practitioner in us all), it also makes set up a breeze.  The design allows for single person to synch down the ropes and the attached tree protectors to the hammock through its 10’ pre-knotted rope.  Again, no knot tying or tag teaming set up required.  Synch, click, and go.  It took less than 2 minutes total before I settled in with a good book. 

After recently hiking and traveling through remote parts of Costa Rica, I could also see the Grand Trunk Parachute Hammock being a great go-to traveling asset. 

With single hammocks starting at $55 and double hammocks starting at $65 – is affordable to even the most frugal of outdoor adventurers. 

You can find out more about Grand Trunk and its products here: http://www.grandtrunkgoods.com/

About From the Trailhead:

Amanda K. Larrinaga blog post
From the Trailhead is written by active CMC member and volunteer, Amanda K. Larrinaga.  Amanda is a recent transplant to Colorado by way of Idaho and Montana.  

As a young outdoor recreationist and environmentalist, she can be found working film festivals for the Colorado Mountain Club, leading some of its annual summer stewardship projects, and supporting programming of the CMC's new Alpine Start teen leadership and outdoor recreation program.   

You can connect with her at: amandalarrinaga@cmc.org

Amanda hand-selects the products she reviews and while she'll always give it to you straight, it's important to note that she received this month's Grand Trunk Hammcok for free from Grand Trunk Goods as coordinated by Deep Creek Public Relations in consideration for review publication.


Monday, October 1, 2012

2012 Backcountry Bash - Get Your Tickets Now!



There are a lot of reasons why you should attend the 20th Annual CMC Backcountry Bash on November 3 in Golden.  Great food, drinks and prizes all with admission.  Fabulous auction items.  The camaraderie of an evening of fun with fellow backcountry wintersports enthusiasts.  Distraction from the election in three days. 

For me, the most compelling reason to attend the Backcountry Bash is to build community around our wintertime sports and support CMC's wintertime recreation advocacy program - the Backcountry Snowsports Initiative, or simply BSI.  Formed four years ago by merging with the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance, the BSI is a leading Colorado voice for human-powered recreational opportunities in the winter backcountry.  Whether you are a snowshoer, cross-county skier, telemarker or winter hiker, BSI seeks to educate and protect our recreation opportunities.  BSI is involved in dialog with forest land managers, winter motorsports clubs and other stakeholders to create opportunities for collaborative solutions, and to defend traditionally quiet use areas.

This year's Bash promises to be the best yet.  We are pleased to announce that Boulder pro-skier Donny Roth, featured in films like last year's Bash feature Solitaire, will be hosting.  We are excited to feature films from Winter Wildlands Alliance 2012 Backcountry Film Festival, food by Chipotle Mexican Grill, drinks by Avery Brewing and others, the traditional silent auction, a live auction of hut stays and much more!

The Backcountry Bash is on November 3 at 5:30 PM at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, CO.  Purchase tickets at the CMC website.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Chimney Rock: America’s Newest National Monument


Chimney Rock
Photo courtesy of CEC

During President Obama’s visit to Golden earlier this month, young climbers and outdoor enthusiasts representing the Colorado Mountain Club gathered at our downtown headquarters to urge the President to protect our outdoor heritage here in Colorado and across the West.

Last week, the President responded to our call by designating Chimney Rock, a unique cultural landscape in the San Juan National Forest, as the country’s newest National Monument. 

Chimney Rock, an area that is sacred to local Native American tribes, is an irreplaceable piece of the area's cultural heritage, as well as a popular destination for hikers and tourists.

This announcement is a major win-win for the local economy and the tourism and outdoor industries in Colorado.   According to a recent economic study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, designation of Chimney Rock as a national monument double the area's impact on the region within five years, adding as much as $1.2 million in new tourism dollars. 

Chimney Rock National Monument is supported by a broad coalition of local organizations, businesses, and politicians from both sides of the aisle.

Scott Braden
Conservation Director 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Mr President: Protect our Outdoors and Recreation Economy


On September 13, President Barack Obama visited Golden to talk to voters in this swing state about jobs and energy.  The CMC joined with our friends at the American Alpine Club to welcome the president to our hometown and to highlight the need to protect our public lands and grow the outdoor recreation economy that these lands support.  We recruited a contingent of enthusiastic young climbers to hold a banner in front of the American Mountaineering Center and talk to people on their way to the President's speech at Lion's Park.  

A recent study by the Outdoor Industry Association found that the US outdoor recreation economy creates over 6.1 million direct American jobs and generates a staggering $646 billion in direct consumer spending each year.  This is an economic sector that is nearly twice as large as the pharmaceuticals industry ($331 billion).  About 15% of this spending is on gear, vehicles and accessories, the rest is spent on the trips and travel - which supports jobs that can't be exported.

This outdoor economy translates to jobs in Colorado.  Underlying this steadily growing sector is our public lands where most of the recreation occurs.  To nurture and protect these lands is to, by extension, to ensure the health of our economy.  That's why we took to the street to remind President Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that they have the power to grow our economy in Colorado by protecting more public land.  They have the authority to designate national monuments at places like Browns Canyon and Chimney Rock, champion the full funding of important programs like the Land & Water Conservation Fund, and provide leadership on other important land management decisions in Colorado that directly impact our landscape.

We are hoping to amplify the message that in Colorado, protecting our public lands equates to more jobs and growth of our outdoor recreation economy.  Coloradans believe this - a Colorado College State of the Rockies study recently found that 78% say we can protect land and water and have a strong economy at the same time.  So when Mr. Obama comes to Colorado looking to sway voters, he would do well to remember to promote our outdoor recreation economy and the public lands that support them!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Conservation Chronicles - August 2012




 
(L-R) John Fielder, Kurt Kunkle (CEC) and Scott Braden (CMC) 

Earlier this month I joined renowned photographer John Fielder and Colorado Environmental Coalition (CEC) to call attention to a raft of anti-conservation bills in the U.S. Congress.  A new report on the bills has been released by the group Environment Colorado.

These bills, outlined in the report, would turn back the clock on hard won conservation rules that help keep Colorado's wildernesses and open spaces pristine and open to recreation. Read more on this at our blog.


These bills illustrate that it is not enough to only seek new protections for the special lands we love.  We must also be vigilant and defend our existing conservation successes and our bedrock environmental laws that safeguard our quality of life and Colorado's recreation economy.

Scott Braden
Conservation Director







Defending Quiet Recreation & Wild Places

Right now there are several planning processes happening on public lands that will have impacts, both positive and negative, on wild lands and human-powered recreation.  CMC Conservation is tracking and engaging on these projects, but we encourage CMC members and the public to weigh in on places you know and where you recreate.  Decision makers want to hear from you and are legally-bound to consider your comments. Here is a breakdown of individual projects and links to comment or find more information:


Map of Headwaters EA 

High Peaks to Headwaters Watershed Restoration.  The Forest Service proposes to develop an riparian restoration plan on select watersheds in the Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest.  This includes decommissioning and reclaiming about 19 miles of roads, about 5 miles of which are currently open to the public. The routes in question are mostly spurs or parallel routes to existing roads, so there is no anticipated significant loss or recreational access.  Comments are due by September 10 and documents and maps can be found here.

High Country Travel Management Plan.  South Platte Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest is seeking public input on proposed changes to travel and recreation management.  According to officials, high levels of public use in some areas  Extensive camping and motorized use off authorized routes is causing unacceptable resource damage, including to fragile subalpine and alpine tundra, wetlands, and fens. This plan will affect lands and routes near Guanella Pass west to the Continental Divide, and between Mt Evans and Lost Creek Wildernesses along Highway 285.  Comments are due by October 1 and documents and maps can be found here.

East Shore Trail - Rocky Mountain National Park. The park service is considering opening a 2-mile segment of the East Shore Trail, along Shadow Mountain Lake near the town of Grand Lake, to mountain bikes as well as making some changes to the trail's existing alignment to protect wetlands.  The park service was directed by the legislation creating wilderness in the park in 2009 to consider these changes.  Potential for user conflicts, transportation needs and any potential for resource damage to the park are the main concerns. Comments are due by September 21 and documents and maps can be found here.

BLM White River Field Office - Plan Amendment.  The BLM is accepting comments on a major  plan to facilitate a drilling up to  20,000 new natural gas wells near Meeker.  One of the important factors the BLM is considering is impacts to 230,000 acres of lands that potentially possess wilderness qualities.  This remote part of the state contains few people, but many opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation in the Roan Cliffs, Bookcliffs and along the White River.  The 90-day comment period on this draft plan extends until December 14.  The EIS can be found at the BLM website.  More information at http://www.whiterivercountry.com/.





Backcountry Bash 2012
20th Anniversary Backcountry Bash
Tickets Now On Sale!   

Hosted by Pro Backcountry Skier Donny Roth
Saturday, November 3
Backcountry Bash tickets are on sale! This year’s Bash will be held Saturday, November 3rd. Hosted by pro backcountry skier Donny Roth, the Bash will feature beer by Avery Brewing Company, food by Chipotle Mexican Grill, a great lineup of ski films, and an incredible auction of gear and hut trips. Visit www.cmc.org/Bash for more info and to buy tickets!






Last Volunteer Projects of the Season!

Ophir Fen Restoration
The Colorado Mountain Club will work with Mountain Studies Institute, San Juan Citizens Alliance, USFS, and Durango Mountain Resorts to restore wetlands disturbed during historic mining activities. Planting and erosion control. Stay at the OPUS hut!
Beaver Brook Trail Maintenance
Did you know that both CMC and Denver Mountain Parks are celebrating their Centennials in 2012? Join the CMC and Denver Mountain Parks to work on maintaining this awesome Front Range trail overlooking Clear Creek Canyon. Lunch provided!

Sand Wash Basin Restoration
CMC returns to Moffat County to celebrate National Public Lands Day with the Bureau of Land Management and a local equestrian club. Assist with trail work and clean up of Sand Wash. Sand Wash Basin is surrounded by ridges and mesas and is home to a herd of wild horses. Car camping.


Ophir Fen2012 Stewardship Season Highlights

Photos: Want to know what we've been up to all season? Check out the CMC Flickr for photos from each of

our projects.

Story: Read one volunteer's story about his experience on the North Maroon Trail Project. We were fortunate to join Colorado Fourteeners Initiative for a few days. Read more about their 10 week project on one of Colorado's most famous 14ers.






Genessee Mountain Park Master Plan
Public Meeting
September 27, Denver

Denver Parks and Recreation will host a second public meeting to obtain public input on the future of Genesee Park on September 27 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker St. Denver, CO. See attached flyer.  Please join us for a short presentation followed by an open house with concept plans and park staff on hand to receive your input. If you are unable to attend please fill out this short survey about the project:  http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e66yrp71h54c7luy/start






Conservation News Roundup:
  • Forest Service cracks down on OHV & snowmobile rentals. Read more
  • White River National Forest approves Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge. Read more
  • Oil and gas development coming to South Park? Read more
  • Vail founding father, Dr. Tom Steinberg, supports new wilderness.  Read more
  • NPR runs a five-part series on western wildfires and forest health. Listen here
  • Wolf Creek Village land trade approved by Rio Grande National Forest. Read more



Rep. Diana DeGette Town Hall
September 24

For those of us living in Denver and Aurora, Rep. DeGette invites CMC members and other constituents in Colorado's 1st District to a Town Hall that will focus on Hydraulic Fracturing on Monday, September 24, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Evie Dennis Campus at 4800 Telluride St., Denver, CO. The meeting will be at West Commons lunch room and will begin promptly at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP at 303-844-4988 orDeGette.RSVP@mail.house.gov.