Peak Conquest documents mountain adventures and trail race challenges
Six million years ago the Colorado River began carving the Grand Canyon. Exposing metamorphic and igneous rock dating back 1.8 billion years to a time known as the Paleoproterozoic Era. When the most advanced life forms on Earth were single cell structures living in the black ocean(s).[…]
The San Francisco Peaks are the backdrop of Flagstaff, AZ. Originally, a single stratovolcano, the mountain stood at about 15,000’. However, over the last 400,000 years it has collapsed and eroded into the six peaks remaining today. Humphreys Peak being the tallest at 12,633’. It is also the highest point in Arizona.
Standing in contrast to the surrounding Prescott National Forest, the aptly named Granite Mountain, is an iconic feature of Prescott, Arizona.[…]
After two and a half days of driving toward a Northern Arizona adventure it was a pleasant and worthwhile break to stop at the Petrified Forest National Park. Which is really not a forest as much as a painted desert with a lot of wood chunks that have literally transformed into rock over the eons […]
I had looked forward to signing up for the 2020 Pikes Peak Ascent for months. The trip was already planned. 3-4 weeks fast packing and hiking the Wind River Range and calling that training for the Ascent. So, when registration opened on New Year Day 2020, I signed up first thing.
The Big South Fork Trail Race is a small but well-regarded event In the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.[….]
The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (BSF) encompasses 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Big South Fork River is the south fork of the Cumberland River. [….]
My system for choosing a mountain to fast pack was straight forward. Start at the highest peak and work down. [….]
With heavy forestation, many peaks In the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) provide only limited views of surrounding ranges. Fortunately, while the modern age has diminished their utility and numbers, a handful of fire towers remain standing and accessible to the public. Perched above tree line these towers offer splendid 360 sight lines. At […]
Garden of the Gods is a grouping of red sandstone formations located in Colorado Springs, Colorado [….]
A hydration vest with a few snacks stuffed inside is my preferred pack weight. But in the Wind River Range, it is usually six miles of forested trail before you get into the mountain range.[….}
After the Wind River Peak fail it seemed like a good time to take a step back, pay the $35 entrance fee and join the throngs of tourists for a safe and easy day hike in the Teton National Park.[….]
The Wind River Peak stands at 13,192’ and is the highest peak in the southern Wind River Range. My plan to summit the peak sounded simple enough. Leave at sunrise to make the 2 ½ hour drive to the Worthen Meadow Reservoir trailhead. Then take the balance of the day hiking up to the Deep […]
The Sacred Rim Trail may be the highest – scenic views reward to hike effort in the Wind River Range.[….]
The plan for Big Sandy was simple. Fastpack as far as possible on some real mountain trails with real mountain scenery, while leaving enough time for a sunset beer on the balcony of my luxury cabin.[…]