Trail Talk

Welcome to Trail Talk — a podcast by Cole’s Climb.

During these interviews, I share stories from members of the outdoor community. Our discussions range from wild adventures to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

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Look Familiar?

If you missed my earlier piece about Ski Joring — a thrilling cross between rodeo and winter sports — I highly recommend you check it out.

One of my favorite pictures from the event featured a skier launching through the air, towed behind a galloping horse, about to land on one ski. That skier is 17-year-old senior Yakov Foley, competing in the event for the first time.

From my layman’s perspective: the execution of this jump was so flawless, I assumed Foley did this on purpose to show off his skills. In this interview, I learned how wrong I was.

“My Left Ski got Caught in a Rut. It Popped off, and I Thought I was Done. I just Remember Looking Down and Realizing I was Still Going.”

Foley tells me he raced professionally for Vail before his official ski joring debut. Part of his practice routine involved one-ski drills. He never quite cared for them, but that training helped prepare for the moment pictured above.

“You have to be there. It takes Many Years of Failing and Falling Down.”

One of the toughest aspects of the sport is the lack of opportunities to actually train. Foley prepares by getting in backcountry turns or getting towed by an ATV or snowmobile.

But finding a course to practice jumps and ring gathering is a whole other matter. The skier in line behind him evidently only rides a handful of times per year, always in competition.

This atmosphere makes ski joring a real game-time sport, where the best way to progress is registering for more competitions in the circuit.

“It’s kind of just in the moment, you figure it out, and every year you get a little bit better,” Foley said.

Interview Notes

1:30 — Preparing for the sport3:45 — Making the run on one ski4:15 — Professional ski racing career5:30 — Fortune favors the prepared6:00 — A finish-line crash7:30 — Getting up after a bad fall8:50 — Saving the sport for the next generation10:40 — Introducing others to the sport11:15 — The hardest part about training a horse for ski joring

“It’s just that Culture of Bringing a Rodeo Sport and a Skiing Event Together. We can talk about how Physically Different it is, but that Vibe, that Arena is just a Different Experience.”

The energy at these competitions is something you need to experience in order to truly understand. It all happens so quickly. But the crowd is genuinely supportive and invested in each run.

If you missed my original story about the event and would like to learn more about the sport: you can read about the rules — as well as how you can see it in person: check out this post.

“This is the Most Amazing 17 Seconds of Your Life — You need to come down here and try it.”

This was the first year Foley was eligible to compete in the horse events — younger riders are eligible to practice being towed through the course by snowmobile. But Foley says he’s part of a much older crowd.

“In both the sport and open division, I was the youngest competitor there. It’s a little bit sad to watch as the sport is slowly falling out. There’s not young guys like me going into the sport anymore. It’s mostly guys that have been doing it for years and years. I’m really hoping that I can talk to my friends and inspire people. Like, ‘hey this is the most amazing 17 seconds of your life, you need to come down here and try it.’”

Foley says he’s trying to get more of his friends, and younger members of the community interested in the sport. Without an influx of riders to take the reigns, the 74-year-old sport faces an expiration date as older competitors retire.

“I’m actually in the process with a group of my friends to try and put together a ski joring team to go around through the circuits,” Foley said. The young skier says he also recently purchased a colt, which he plans to raise and train for the sport.

“When you have Five Thousand People in a Channel Running at them, that’s Where they get a bit Nervous.”

The process of training a horse for the sport though, is quite a bit different from what you might expect. One of the most important steps is simple socialization. It’s not unlike the way you’d train a puppy to get used to people:

“Horses get very easily spooked. The only thing you can do is take them to parades; take them to other events,” Foley explained. “We’d ride our horses up to the event and let people touch them and get them used to being around that many people.”

At the end of the day though, there’s only so much preparation that can be done. Regular readers known risk assessment is something I write about often. Ski joring is no different.

“You have to go into ski joring with the mindset that someone could get hurt,” Foley said. “It’s not easy to do, but we train, and we practice everything we can to be as safe as possible.”

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EP 11: Asha Sanaker, Exploring Faith and Presence in Outdoor Spaces

Asha grew up attending a Quaker-operated summer camp, every year. Even after re-locating several states away, Asha sent her children to the same place as well.

As it turns out: the wild chaos of the outdoors is a great way to learn about community, responsibility, and integrity.

“If you can Carry Everything You Need to Survive on Your Back, for Five Days in a Row, that just Changes Your Perception of what You Need Globally in Your Life.”

An important idea I’ve often discussed here, is the beautiful simplicity of routine. When I interviewed Taylor Radigan — a member of the trail crew working to preserve the Grays and Torreys Trail — she laid out the simple steps for life on the mountain:

* Wake

* Hike

* Work

* Prep for tomorrow

* Sleep

There aren’t a lot of frills. There also aren’t a lot of things to worry about.

This conversation happened in an extremely early episode. I imagine most of you haven’t had the chance to watch it. If you have a few minutes, it’s linked here:

Asha takes this idea a step farther, connecting this focus with the idea of being engaged in the moment.

“Embodiment is really important. Being physically present to what’s actually happening in front of me has been incredibly important to my health,” Asha said. “It’s also incredibly important to my kids.”

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“Even when it’s Hard: even when it’s Raining, even when it’s Humid as Hell, even when Your Feet Hurt ‘cause You’ve got Blisters, it Still can be Joyful.”

In a recent piece, called “Home is… Damp,” Asha draws an interesting distinction between physical and spiritual comfort. Being present sometimes means enduring discomfort.

You may not have all the amenities you’re used to. But the experience brings you closer with the people who are there with you. I liken this feeling satisfyingly sore after a hard workout.

Interview Notes

1:20 — “Loud, chaotic, and people-y”2:10 — Growing up as a Quaker6:00 — Learning to be happy without material possessions9:30 — Getting out of the “Infinite Opium Den”10:30 — The satisfaction of sore11:30 — The storm that sent us back to the Dark Ages14:00 — Physical vs. Emotional discomfort15:30 — Holding back the darkness17:00 — Learning how to sit with yourself and self-reflect19:30 — Applying physical challenges to emotional ones25:00 — Untangling unhelpful connotations with Integrity27:20 — How society lets us coast32:00 — Where to find Asha

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A Bit of Literal Learning

Asha describes a fascinating part of the camp experience at the end of each summer:

“They’ll roam around camp finding random bits of wood… they’ll take it to the fire circle and attach it together in some kind of crazy wonky sculpture,” she explained.

The kids are each given tiny candles, which they light and add to the wooden structure. The end result is something magical.

“The voice of this 10-year-old boy emerges out of the darkness behind me, and he says, ‘the thing I love about camp is that everyone’s individual lights are so small. But when we all put them together, they hold back the darkness.’”

I would argue this child wasn’t being poetic or looking for metaphors. I’d imagine he was being quite literal in his observations about the ceremony.

The cool thing about learning lessons in the outdoors is that physical experiences are simple and easy to grasp, yet broadly applicable to our lives back in civilization.

You may have noticed: this type of discovery and reflection is at the heart of almost all the stories you’ll read here on Cole’s Climb.

“You’re Never Done with the Work You have to do to Move Your Life Forward.”

Modern society is like driving a car along a highway: coasting is comfortable and easy. Taking your foot off the gas once in a while isn’t a problem when you have inertia to keep carrying you forward.

Many of us could — if we wanted to — coast in our responsibilities, putting in the minimum effort required to collect a paycheck. In fact, most of us could probably do nothing today without putting our survival in peril. Your access to food, water, and shelter wouldn’t be challenged until your next credit card or utility bill comes due.

There’s no pressing need to push harder. This makes it easy to fall into the hypnotic state that is the comfort zone.

Survival and self-improvement are both a primal climb up an infinite mountain. As Asha points out: you can’t stop. There is no inertia to coast on. If you want to move forward, then you need to keep pushing yourself forward.

I like the idea that Asha proposes: the chaos of the outdoors is the crucible that helps us develop attributes that the comforts of civilization inhibit:

* Comfort in solitude

* Quiet self-reflection

* Discernment

* Presence

* Learning from failure

That last one is key. I’ll end with an idea Asha summed up nicely:

“And so, You get up the Next Morning, and You Try Again.

Not every day was great. some days were hard. some days we didn’t make the miles we thought we were going to make in order to reach a certain point on the trail we thought we were going to make.

Some days we were canoeing and we capsized in a rapid, and dumped all our stuff.

That doesn’t mean it’s over.”

About Asha

Asha Sanaker is a freelance writer and mother of two currently living in Upstate New York. She publishes a Substack email newsletter, Let Your Life Speak, on rediscovering the lost art of integrity. She is currently also writing a book on soulmates.

Asha has been published by Countable, Friends Journal, and The Ithaca Times. When she's not sitting somewhere writing, she loves hiking, gardening, her kids, and her old, weird cat.

You can follow Asha on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and of course here on Substack.

Welcome Back to Trail Talk

During these interview podcast posts, I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. Range from wild adventures to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox every other Thursday morning at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing will arrive on the alternating weeks.

If you’re a new subscriber, please mark this address as “not spam.”

For Gmail users: newsletters can sometimes get buried in the promotions tab — particularly when I write gear guides and trip plans that include a lot of links. You can ensure you don’t miss any emails by right clicking, selecting “move to tab…” then “primary” from the drop-down menu.

You can also follow Cole’s Climb on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where I post regular updates every time a new post is released!

EP 10: Sarah Lavender Smith, Ultramarathon Running

Despite growing up in an outdoor-oriented lifestyle, Sarah tells me her dive into running didn’t take place until the second half of her life. Now, she’s participated in some of the continent’s most grueling races and helps coach others to do the same.

“I Want to have my Senior Years, 30 Years from now, Healthy and with Mental Acuity and Still Getting out in the Mountains.”

In her recent piece, A Stash from the Past, Sarah discusses the fear of losing mobility as we age. On a personal note, this is something I find myself worrying about too.

I view the ability to tear down the mountain on a snowboard or mountain bike, scale rock faces, and venture miles from civilization to be incredible gifts. I also have come to associate them with my identity as a person. The prospect of losing any one of them is devastating.

“I gained a lot of success and ego gratification from kinda crushing the competition and getting really excited about the drama of the race or trying to get a podium spot,” Sarah said. “As you age and slow down — which is somewhat inevitable — you have to reshape that relationship for it to be satisfying.”

In our discussion, Sarah describes how this can be accomplished.

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Interview Notes

1:30 — A nomadic traveling lifestyle3:00 — Avoiding the “Growing old sucks,” mindset6:10 — Reshaping a relationship with running8:00 — Escaping our fixation with numbers10:20 — Letting our minds wander12:10 — Climbing vs. running; an exercise in hyper-focus15:00 — Empowering ways to push through skill-ceilings16:30 — New activities are new ways to explore19:30 — The time-efficiency of running22:40 — Grounding yourself in the mile you’re in24:05 — “Flow like a river, don’t be flexible like a tree”26:40 — A 36-hour race; how??29:15 — Slaying the sleep monster

“That’s one of the most Satisfying things about Unplugging from My Devices and Getting on the Trail: that’s when I do some of my best Thinking”

Of course, running isn’t just a competitive sport, or a way to stay mobile and healthy. It’s also an incredible vehicle for exploration.

In our discussion about a recent ice climbing trip, Sarah explains how a key factor that nudged her to conquer her fear and pick up the ice axes was a desire to explore a gorgeous region of Colorado.

As an interesting tangent, I learned to lead climb for the exact same reason. There’s a spot in Colorado I’m desperate to see. But you need to complete a trad multi-pitch climb to get there.

“Take what the Trail Gives You, Adapt to the Circumstances. Make the Best of it.”

One of my favorite parting thoughts from this discussion is that success does not come from raw power and strength alone.

In our discussion about ultramarathons, Sarah puts it like this: “It’s not necessarily the person who’s the most physically fit who does the best. There’s so much mental and logistical strategy involved.”

Being adaptable, strategic, and keeping a good outlook are just as important when it comes to reaching your goal — be it the finish line, or an important life milestone.

About Sarah

Sarah Lavender Smith is a running coach, writer and mother of two who lives near Telluride, Colorado. She has raced more than 100 ultramarathons and marathons since she took up running as a graduate student in the mid-1990s, including some of North America’s most challenging 100-milers.

When she turned 50 in 2019, she won the Grand to Grand Ultra 170-mile self-supported stage race, considered one of the world’s toughest ultras.

She is a columnist for UltraRunning magazine and the author of The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras. She publishes a weekly journal, “Colorado Mountain Running & Living,” at sarahrunning.substack.com.

Sarah also is a lifelong horsewoman and has served on several nonprofit boards for schools and community service organizations.

You can also follow Sarah on Instagram or pick up The Trail Runner’s Companion in bookstores or on Amazon.

More from Trail Talk

If you’re interested in finding out more about tackling ultramarathons: check out this episode with Ethan McNaghten. He started as a non-runner and set his sights on the Never Summer Ultra.

Announcing: The Summit Squad

This week, I’ve decided to start offering something new to for my most devoted readers. These more personal letters will go out to those who are actively opening, reading, and engaging with Cole’s Climb in a meaningful way.

Members of the Summit Squad will get a peek behind the curtain with exclusive photos from adventures I don’t write about, as well as a teaser ahead to future projects I have in the works.

While I may use the word “members,” this is not a paid fixture of the newsletter. It’s a token of my appreciation for your valuable time and attention.

Those of you who already got one — you know who you are, and I appreciate your kind responses.

Welcome Back to Trail Talk

During these interview podcast posts, I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. Range from wild adventures to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing will still arrive at the usual time, Thursday mornings.

EP 09: Kelton Wright, High Altitude Living

Growing up in an outdoorsy family, Kelton lived the outdoor life long before moving to her current location: a remote cabin in a tiny town, high in the mountains.

She has been featured in Bicycling Magazine, Runner’s World, Peloton Magazine, Outside Magazine, and more.

Roughly six months ago, Kelton and her husband made a lifechanging move — and she’s been sharing her experience on Substack ever since.

Now, she writes “Shangri-Logs,” sharing the details, challenges, and excitement that comes with cabin life.

“It Alleviates my Nonsensical Anxiety to have Real Things to take care of.”

I’ve long theorized our brains wrestle with profound boredom when our base needs are being met. For many of us: food, water, warmth, and shelter are constantly within convenient reach.

Sometimes I wonder if we worry about insignificant things, because there are fewer significant worries to fixate on.

There’s something about removing the barriers between ourselves, and the procurement of our necessities that reconnects the mind to a primal sense of peace.

That’s part of the reason I’ve always loved the outdoors so much: a routine built around survival, and the deeply restful sleep that can only come from a hard day’s work.

Thanks for reading Cole's Climb! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Interview Notes

2:00 — House hunting for a rustic cabin4:30 — Putting ourselves closer to our daily needs6:15 — “Purposely living the hardest life they can”8:00 — The challenges with living in a cabin9:20 — What’s needed to keep the house going11:00 — The Sisyphean task of snow shoveling12:30 — Becoming avalanche aware17:00 — Picking a place where you’ll fit in19:45 — Pandemic problems for small towns21:00 — Tips for meeting the townsfolk as an introvert22:30 — Uncovering cool stories in unexpected places24:00 — Sharing your gifts and skills with the town27:00 — How do you start the road to cabin living?30:30 — Spending time in the place you want to call home32:00 — The crushing anxiety of clutter36:00 — Embracing the challenges and difficulties38:00 — Where to follow

“Sometimes when it Snows Inside, it’s Magical”

In a recent post, Kelton talks about insulation, indoor snow, and the effort required to keep the cabin up and running. When the wind really gets to howling, sometimes the outside comes inside — blowing through tiny gaps in the cabin.

Despite this, Kelton says there’s a certain satisfaction from digging out your driveway and keeping the fire alive. A satisfaction you just can’t get by simply turning up the thermostat.

There’s also the feeling that this practical exercise becomes a sort of natural fitness routine, even getting the body ready for emergencies that we discuss in the interview.

“Can I just live in my House with the Things that I have, and be Prepared?”

Could you live in your home for a week without ordering anything? Can you get by without your Amazon Prime subscription? Do you know how to cook?

These are all questions Kelton says ought to be weighed carefully before you move to the mountains.

Another important idea arises from this: the crushing anxiety of clutter. The ability to order anything you want on demand is useful, but not without its drawbacks.

Sometimes, having to actually go to a store to pick something out, forces you to weigh whether you really need something. Seriously — how many impulse buys do you have, crowding your home and collecting dust?

Try Before You Buy

Before moving to the new home, Kelton and her husband went through an extensive road trip and tour process. She wanted to see potential homes in multiple seasons and get a feel for the community.

You might be surprised by the things you’ll have to do for yourself.

Jumping in without understanding what you’re getting into could sink your entire move.

Where to Follow Kelton Wright

You can follow Kelton’s tales and updates here on Substack.

Here’s her most recent newsletter — a great piece about working to fit into small town life:

You can also follow @Shangrilogs on Instagram for updates on the cabin, and renovations, or @Keltonwrites for more high-altitude adventures.

You can also follow Trail Talk on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, to make listening on the go that much easier.

Welcome Back to Trail Talk

During these interview podcast posts, I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. Range from wild adventures, to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing will still arrive at the usual time, Thursday mornings.

EP 08: Chris Tomer, Meteorologist

Most of the Colorado outdoor community has already heard of Chris; a trusted name not just in our state’s weather forecasting, but for those attempting some of the most extreme and technically challenging peaks on the planet.

If you enjoy the interview, subscribe to Cole’s Climb for all thing outdoors and mountaineering: from the trails to the slopes!

“I always wanted to know why. What was the reason? What was the science? What was the Math?”

Chris has been fascinated by the “why” questions from a young age. Understanding the way mechanics that make up our weather systems was a passion that guided Chris through high school, college, and his further pursuits.

The desire to experience and explore the high peaks was also instilled from a young age, over the course of many Colorado ski trips.

Interview Notes

1:00 — Early interest in weather4:00 — Getting comfortable with the peaks5:00 — The importance of a specialized forecast6:45 — Understanding risk management8:45 — Knowing when to turn back9:10 — The trips when you can’t turn back10:20 — How you can learn to spot changing weather11:15 — An honest assessment of your skills13:45 — What did the weather do the night before?15:00 — Building a rapport with climbing partners18:00 — Reflection on “speed climbing” the fourteeners20:15 — How to explore for yourself21:45 — “Sleeping on the Summits,” project23:30 — Colorado as an amusement park25:20 — Preventing degradation and overuse27:00 — Only two fourteeners were planned trails30:00 — Shift from prep-heavy to casual hiking32:00 — Offering specific forecasts for fourteeners33:10 — Finding an outdoor mentor

“With Modern Conveniences, People Just Run out the Door.”

The outdoor community is in a bit of an odd spot right now: we’ve never had more resources at our fingertips to prep for trips. From guidebooks to complete video walk-throughs of the routes, there are great resources all around us.

While Chris argues it is possible to over prepare for a trip, putting in the due diligence and taking honest inventory of your abilities will probably make for a more fun, and less stressful outcome.

“Whatever the forecast is — and it’s fine, it gives you a great idea how to pack your bag — never, ever bet your life on it.”

Chris also points out there’s a big difference between knowing what the forecast is expected to do, and knowing how to spot changes in the weather. Throughout your hike it’s always a good idea to keep the conditions you’re seeing in context.

Don’t ignore ominous-looking storm clouds on an August afternoon because the weather is supposed to be clear.

As Chris also explains, more time and skill with weather and the mountains will allow you to get a better read on situations like this. But if you don’t have that knowledge, it’s best to play it safe.

“Leave Your Pride at the Car”

Part of playing it safe is having a team you can trust. That trust is rooted in your team dynamic, and communication. You need to feel comfortable vocalizing your concerns with your climbing partner, or partners. And you need to be able to respect the concerns that they raise.

If your partner, or teammate raises a fuss or complains about you wanting to turn back, Chris says you probably don’t want to go climbing with that person again — and I’d be inclined to agree.

Some Skills Can’t Be Learned from a Book

Despite that wealth of available information that we discussed earlier — in books, websites, and videos — some skills need to be learned in practice. This is done most safely and effectively under the watchful eye of a skilled teacher; an almost master-and-apprentice style relationship.

I credit much of my success so far in the outdoors to the willingness of others to offer mentorship and guidance. Near the end of the interview, Chris and I talk about some great ways you can find a mentor, and if you’re skilled, the benefits you bring to the community by mentoring someone.

Reaching out to Chris

Chris is also always there if you have any outdoor questions. There are a lot of ways you can follow his forecasts, and get in touch:

* His blog

* His YouTube Channel

* Or on Facebook

Thanks for reading all the way through! If you enjoyed this interview, the absolute best way you can help me out is by sharing this post with someone else who loves the outdoors.

Here’s a surprise picture of a falcon for scrolling all the way down.

Welcome Back to our Regularly Scheduled Trail Talk

Earlier this week: I had an unexpected special edition for Eldora’s opening day.

This time though, we’re back to our regular programing: more long-form interviews where I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. They range from wild adventures, to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing arrive at the usual time, Thursday mornings.

EP 07: Casey Whalen, Florida Man, and Director of Ecology

This week we head to the wild swamps of South Florida to talk with an old friend. Back when I lived in South Florida, Casey and I had quite a few hiking and biking adventures through the state.

We’re breaking down what went wrong on one of my most spectacular trail failures: accidentally turning a five mile hike into 15.

Casey and I began our ill-fated hike from gate 2, and followed the orange dotted line. We missed the turn for loop 2, and wound up taking the turn for loop 3, adding roughly five miles to the trip.

On the return, a downed marker near the intersection with yellow trail C caused us to drop the orange hiking trail and pick up a horse trail instead. The trail crossed a long, wide-open field for a long while. By the time we saw the next marker, we realized we had gone off trail.

Back-tracking cost us another mile.

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Interview Notes

1:00 — Florida is actually pretty nice2:00 — The “Accidentally Way Longer” hike6:15 — Seeing the forest for the trees7:30 — Why it rains iguanas in Florida8:45 — “Uh oh,” or: how things go off the rails quickly15:30 — Losing the trail18:00 — Why you wear good hiking shoes19:00 — No really, buy good gear.20:00 — Wading through the swamp with Rocket the racoon24:30 — Rescuing animals as director of ecology26:00 — Turtles all the way down (the river)31:00 — Hiking Devil’s Head in Colorado34:00 — Outdoor rock climbing40:00 — Avoiding a lightning strike43:15 — Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should46:00 — All the Florida things that want to kill you47:45 — Always be prepared50:00 — 500 nights of camping51:30 — “At the end of a day, it makes a great story.”

Florida isn’t Crazy, it just has Character

The sunshine state has a reputation for being a little off the rails. The truth is, it’s just hard to get a good overhead perspective.

This is a look at one of the highest points in South Florida: A watchtower perched atop a glorified sand dune in the palm scrubs.

The view is still beautiful. But you won’t exactly be seeing the curvature of the earth. Not being able to catch the sweeping landscape views actually inspires something a little different.

Most of the joy associated with Florida hiking comes from appreciating individual up-close moments, like this one:

“You Don’t Have to Look Down at Things to Appreciate Them”

While I love the soaring peaks of Colorado, Florida has always felt more wild. There are no bucket list photo ops for social media. Anyone crazy enough to be out in the Florida woodlands really wants to be there.

The state also has a ton of hidden gems tucked away. Being a part of the outdoor community feels like a tighter-knit family.

Knowledge itself is not a Shield

After I moved to Colorado, Casey was the first person to pay me a visit. His brother and cousins joined as well, with all the gear needed for some fantastic rock climbing.

We headed up to the top of Devil’s Head lookout, and took in some awe-inspiring early morning views.

Even after climbing for more than an hour, we were out of the area, and back at the cars before 9:00 a.m.

Hours later: lightning struck the exact area we’d been climbing, injuring eight people — one critically. Thanks to a multi-agency rescue effort and more than 30 volunteers, the injured climber made a full recovery.

Some of the other hikers suffered burns, and were temporarily left with tingling sensations, but were all able to walk back to the trailhead, according to a write-up from AccuWeather.

This event will forever remain in my mind as an example of the raw power and unpredictability of nature, and the importance of being prepared.

Welcome to a Special Edition of Trail Talk

This brief podcast features everything you need to know for Eldora’s opening day, including what the weather looks like, to which trails will be open.

Throw your board and boots in the car, press play, and let’s get going!

Eldora Ski Area Opening Day

Quick Forecast:

Expect dry and windy conditions. But winds will be strong, with gusts up to 50 mph in the morning. 1-3 inches of snow is possible Saturday.

Opening Day Runs:

Lift: AlpenglowHorn Blower —> InternationalWindmill —> International (maybe?)

No beginner terrain — intermediate only!

If you find updates like this useful, click subscribe to get more in your inbox!

“Put on your Safety Heads”

Sam advises everyone exercise caution when returning to the mountain. Due to early season conditions, you should expect the opening runs will naturally be a bit more crowded.

* Brush up on the skier code

* Take it slow

* Remember: you’re not the same rider you were last season. It’ll take a while for you to re-gain your strength and control

Key Policy Changes for 2021-2022

A few things may have changed since your last visit. These are the updates Eldora has provided:

* Masks are no longer required in lift lines, on the chair, or in any outdoor spaces

* Spaced chair loading will no longer be required

* Strict capacity limits have been removed from lodges

* Boulder’s rules do require indoor masking

* No more parking reservations

* Shuttles return: starting November 20th, free shuttles will run from the Boulder County Justice Center to the Mountain on weekends and holidays.

* Free round-trip RTD bus tickets: available to guests without bus passes, starting December 18th.

* SOV fees: also starting December 18th, single occupant vehicles will be charged a $10 fee on weekends, and select Holiday weekdays

Share with a friend who’s starting the season, and looking to hit the slopes!

That’s about it! Have a great time out there. Enjoy yourself, and be safe!

Also a big thanks to Chris Tomer, who was kind enough to provide the forecast info, for anyone heading up to Eldora.

Weather apps just aren’t as accurate — there’s nothing quite like getting the information directly from someone well-versed in mountain weather.

If you head up into the mountains often, I definitely recommend following his blog to stay one step ahead of mountain storms.

Welcome Back to Trail Talk

During these interview podcast posts, I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. Range from wild adventures, to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing will still arrive at the usual time, Thursday mornings.

EP 05: Eddie Taylor, Teacher and Mountaineer

Ever since Eddie’s friend convinced him to try climbing, he’s been hooked. Now, he’s part of a skilled team setting out to inspire others.

Of the thousands of climbers to reach the world’s highest peak, only a handful were Black. Eddie, and the other members of Full Circle Everest endeavor to change that.

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Establishing a Community Connection

Most of us take for granted how we got started in the outdoors. I come from an outdoor family: my grandfather brought Cub Scout sign up forms to the hospital the day I was born, and I took my first backpacking trip at 9 years old.

Not everyone has a friend or family member introduce them to the outdoor community. As Eddie explains: someone’s spark of interest can be quickly extinguished if they feel they don’t belong.

“If you don’t have that family connection, and then you don’t have that community connection by looking further… you don’t see anyone who looks like you doing those things, so then that obviously isn’t a place for you — I think that’s what a lot of people end up feeling.”

Eddie hopes this trip could be that point of inspiration that helps other Black hikers feel more welcome on the mountains, trails, and crags.

Interview Notes

0:45 — Eddie’s first climbing trip1:45 — The cycle of inspiring others2:45 — Becoming immersed in the climbing community4:10 — Full Circle Everest: how the team formed7:00 — Growing as a team throughout the training process9:00 — The full trip in context: setting your goals.10:00 — Telling the story for the next generation of climbers13:30 — Creating a welcoming community connection15:45 — Getting into the outdoors from scratch17:00 — Having healthy and productive hobbies18:45 — Fighting back against “locals only” culture23:00 — Helping the community with crag etiquette24:00 — Welcoming people into your spaces26:00 — Being friendly by being normal29:00 — Supporting the expedition

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Growing the Community Sustainably

One of the enormous challenges of an ever-growing outdoor community is a proportionately-increasing impact on open spaces. I’ve written extensively about the issue at places like Maroon Bells, Quandary, and Steven’s Gulch.

The reaction to this has largely been a rise in a gatekeeping “locals only” culture.

Eddie makes a few great points about this:

* Discovering a cool spot doesn’t give you ownership of it

* If the landscape really is that fragile, no one should be going there

* Community building is the best tool for spreading “leave no trace” principles

“I don’t think people are trying to act to be destructive,” Eddie said. “Sometimes it’s just lack of knowledge.”

Not everyone has access to the same outdoor training, or upbringing. Being friendly is the first step in getting people excited to come back, adventure, and in turn, learn more.

That said, there’s a fine line between friendly and off-putting.

In our discussion, Eddie explains despite being a regular at a popular crag, other climbers still ask if he's brand new.

“Someone will see me, and be like: ‘oh are you here straight from the gym? Are you here for this diversity initiative?’”

Having a general and genuine welcoming attitude — without making assumptions about other climbers and hikers — is key.

“The Summit is a Bonus”

Everest is quite literally a lofty goal. But as we’ve discussed repeatedly here on Trail Talk: putting all the emphasis on that final step is misguided.

For Eddie, this expedition is about ten accomplished climbers coming together and telling a story to inspire the next generation of climbers.

Like many others, I’m eagerly awaiting what the next chapter in that story holds.

Welcome Back to Trail Talk

During these interview podcast posts, I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. Range from wild adventures, to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing will still arrive at the usual time, Thursday mornings.

EP 04: Ty Ellenbogen, Eagle Scout and Musician

This week, we head to the Sangre De Cristo mountains of New Mexico to bask in the intimidating shadow of Baldy Mountain. Here, after months of careful planning and training, Ty completed an impressive 12-day trek.

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What he learned on that mountain changed his life, and altered his perception about his future pursuits in music.

“If you spend your whole life chasing goals, you’re gonna realize how empty you feel after you achieve it.”

The night before their final push to the summit, Ty and his crew wrestled with a gnawing, uncomfortable question: what would come next?

Achievements have their way of leaving a void behind once they come to pass. How could they not?

Some endeavor to fill the void by dotting the horizon with further goals, creating an endless chase to set your sights on. To some extent this is a necessary part of life. But in our interview, Ty addresses why this mentality will only ever bring fleeting fulfillment.

Show Notes

0:30 — What is Philmont, what is Baldy?1:30 — Baldy is a metaphor for itself3:00 — Deciding you want the goal for yourself4:45 — Friends are great at holding you accountable8:00 — Hitting the trail9:20 — “The Burro Boy;” caring for your pack animal13:30 — Stripping away what you don’t need; how do you decide?16:30 — The beautiful simplicity of the trekking routine19:00 — Satisfaction in exhaustion and chores20:55 — The morning of the final approach22:00 — Where do we go from our defining moments?24:20 — The Summit loses meaning without context27:00 — Demystifying the far-off mountains29:30 — Answering the question, “What Next?”31:20 — Giving up on chasing goals for their own sake — giving up on 14’ers33:45 — The hardest question we’ve ever been asked36:50 — Life-changing advice from Herb McGrail, the man who made 1,000 Eagles38:00 — Achievements are about how much you’ve grown39:00 — Re-evaluating our relationship with social media41:00 — This post bombed, I got sad, but I shouldn’t’ve

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“Who is the real content creator? Is it you, who’s doing what you love? Or is it the audience that’s defining what you put out?”

A little more than a year ago, I took a long break from social media to re-evaluate my relationship with these apps and sites. I felt myself fretting on hikes and outings, needing to take good enough pictures for Instagram.

I allowed an irrational desire to impress others dictate my experiences.

Ty points out that in a similar vein, artists face a similar dilemma. Do you shoot for mass appeal and chase a fickle audience, or do what you love and hope to attract a group who truly enjoys the soul you put into your work?

This requires you think carefully about your definitions of success and achievement.

“In the end, the only one who knows whether you really earned it is you.”

To date, the best advice I’ve been given on achievement comes from Herb McGrail — though he has sadly since passed away.

The man was a brilliant engineer, a notorious stickler, and at the time: both gatekeeper and guide to the young men hoping to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

He once explained to me that the point of earning such a lofty achievement was not in the rank or honor itself. Rather, it was a deeply personal challenge designed to test one’s leadership, resolve, and ultimately push the seeker to become the best possible version of themselves.

This framing of achievement takes things beyond an award, ceremony, or summit.

“In the end,” Herb said, “The only one who knows whether you really earned it is you.”

It’s advice Ty and I encourage all of you to take.

About Our Guest

Ty Ellenbogen is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer based in Nashville, TN.

You can follow Ty on Instagram, his website, Spotify, or wherever you stream music. He’s working to release a new single in the next month or so — but already has an impressive catalogue of music for you to listen to.

While you’re over there on Spotify, do yourself a favor a follow this show as well.

It makes getting the show on the go easy and convenient!

Welcome Back to Trail Talk

During these interview podcast posts, I share stories from other members of the outdoor community. Range from wild adventures, to survival skills, conservation, and current events.

Look for episodes in your mailbox Sunday mornings at 9 a.m., MST. The stories you’re used to seeing will still arrive at the usual time, Thursday mornings.

EP 03: Ethan McNaghten, Ultra-Marathon Runner

In this installment, I’m bringing you to the shores of a remote alpine lake at the end of a long mountain valley. I wrote about the trek in, and shared more pictures during my previous post — Hiking Through the Seasons — if you want to read about that trip in greater detail.

To get a better feel: I also put together this gorgeous time-lapse

Ethan McNaghten has been living in Colorado for a few short months; about the same amount of time he’s been seriously running.

In that period, he managed to acclimate to the high altitude, build up endurance, and — perhaps most importantly — hone the mental fortitude needed to stay focused on the task.

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Our discussion about his 60k race covered quite a bit of ground. These are some of the moments that stood out to me:

Show notes

1:00 — Eagle vs. fish2:00 — Why?2:45 — The training process4:45 — Weather dangers while training for long races6:50 — The energy at the starting line9:00 — Occupying your mind, raging against boredom10:30 — Hiking through the seasons13:45 — “All of a sudden” running 16 miles16:00 — Setting your own goals, not someone else’s18:10 — Race day: the highs and lows21:30 — Pushing through the brutal moments22:20 — Why you don’t run the race, before you run the race22:45 — Pickle Juice?!?25:45 — Keeping your focus through boredom27:00 — The weather politely asks us to leave27:30 — Try it, you might like it28:30 — Picking your first race

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Enjoying the Journey

If you only get one takeaway from this interview, it’s that the destination can’t be the only pleasure you derive from an experience, for a couple reasons.

* Important goals take time to accomplish

* You’ll burn out if you’re not enjoying yourself along the way.

* Focusing solely on the destination puts too much pressure on that final step you take to get there.

Ethan shared this with me: one of the most beautiful views of the race.

It’s a good reminder to look for enjoyment along the way; you might be surprised by what you find.

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I Want to Hear from You

Here’s a license to humble-brag: tell me about something cool you’re really proud of!

Next Time on Cole’s Climb

An unknown creature — we assumed it was one — moved gracefully with quiet padding paces. But the occasional twig, leaf or rustle in the foliage gave it away in the still night air.

During my first backpacking trip in Colorado, something stalked my hiking party to our campsite. What followed remains one of my most terrifying moments in the outdoors: trekking at dusk through mountain lion territory.

The same kind of thinking that got us into that mess, pervades our day-to-day lives. That’s what I aim to address in next week’s edition, “Picking off the Stragglers.”