The beginning of a new year always provides a time to reflect and to look forward. It is in the dark days of winter that I dream of an endless summer. Although, as my skills as a mountain athlete continue to diversify and strengthen, I welcome the fluffy white stuff that falls from the sky. I grew up skiing but took a hiatus to pursue surfing on snow. It is only recently in the past three years that I have switched back to the sticks. Skiing has opened up my eyes to a new mode of travel in winter - especially the ability to still work on an aerobic base by incorporating uphill travel. I kind of always ignored hitting the slopes while I was in college due to the price of lift tickets, the $ of a light setup, and the # of hours spent driving to summit county. Thanks to my sponsors (Black Diamond & La Sportiva), I was able to acquire all the necessary tools to explore the wintery landscape above Boulder by myself. I now seek out the high country in winter, getting up high and building a base for those long days in summer. Skiing offers the ability to see the landscape under a new lens and speed. Summer will always be my favorite season, but damn…winter is pretty great.
While trying to maximize my days out on the skis, I also have been trying to keep the legs sharpened on the running front. January was the best of both worlds for me. Skiing AND running up high… and dry rock down in town. Some memorable moments from the month were getting in the Longs Peak Grand Slam with my good friend Cordis on his birthday (setting a new FKT), getting out for some scrambling in the flatirons, and seeing lots of good friends and people at Outdoor Retailer in Denver. 2020 has been off to a great start!
