Nature does not need people. People need nature.

I've been around the world, but Colorado and the Rocky Mountains are my home. I'm an Army Brat, but when I graduated High School and moved out I considered myself 'retired.' I went into college seeking an English:Secondary Education degree. That changed once I realized I didn't want to go into education. I beef up my answer as to why by saying that education is a little messed up right now, and a lot of pressure is on teachers in Colorado; but really education is just too stable for me.

"I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love." -Leo Tolstoy

That's me.

I am in the midst of an undergraduate research project which is developing a program that will entice young adults to experience the natural world for themselves after learning the ways nature is good for them and will subconsciously develop more sustainable behavior once they care for the natural world. The whole process is more complicated than this of course, but the program and the idea will not even come alive if I do not build a strong portfolio and gain experience. 

So with your beautiful help, I will be able to begin building a writing and photography portfolio to jump-start my career! 

Click HERE to find my crowdfunding page! 

What's Needed?!

• Camera
• Backpacking gear: sleeping bag, tent/shelter, and kitchen supplies
  
• Rock Climbing gear: rope and some quickdraws
  

What's the Plan Stan?!

• Outdoor Education Certificate through Pikes Peak CC & Colorado Mtn College. I am taking classes beginning this summer!
  
• Building experience on distance hikes by hiking the Colorado CDT (Continental Divide Trail) in August. 
• Gaining Outdoor Rock Climbing experience- LOTS OF IT! 
• BLOGGING ABOUT EVERYTHING! You will be able to follow me as I take classes and learn cool things, climb new rocks, hike new mountains, and beat the system! 

If I do not reach my goal, all money will still be used in buying gear. The money that doesn't go toward gear will go toward helping pay for my classes at Pikes Peak CC -as I am paying for college by myself and extremely wish to not use any more loan money.

#ColoradoProb no.3: We Seek Out New Challenges (L2H)

I've found an outdoor challenge that I believe has more lessons and thrill than simply backpacking.

The Lowest-to-Highest Trail:

Elevation and Length of L2H courtesy of: http://www.simblissity.net/L2H.shtml

Beginning in Death Valley at Badwater, CA with an elevation of 279 feet below sea level, ending on the summit of Mt. Whitney with an elevation of 14,495 feet above sea level.
 
This trail is fairly new and untraveled. It was inspired by the annual L2H race held in July. Many wanted to hike this trail but wanted to dive into the landscape rather than sticking to the highways. This trail was thus pioneered with this in mind and staying away from the pavement as much as possible. The route totals 130 miles and spans complete extremes from complete desert to the high reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The designated route is a linkage of previously existing trails that add up the L2H so it is important to do your research before heading out to Badwater.

This trail has now made my bucket-list and I will definitely attempt it this year. The hardest part: determining when! In the peak of its summer temperatures in Death Valley can reach 135 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperatures in the mountain ranges traveled are quite ideal. Winter reportedly reaches the mountain ranges quite early in Fall- causing harder terrain conditions on the mountains. The best time to go, in my opinion, with the most ideal temperatures and least amount of travelers, would be in September. This is right after the peak of travelers in August, the peak of temperature in Death Valley, and would beat early snowfall in the mountains. However, school starts in late August and there is no two-week period I can take off in September. So I may be forced to head out in August.

http://www.mount-whitney.com/hiking_backpacking_mt_whitney.php

Getting to Badwater, CA was also a concern of mine. I have no family members that would be down to drive to CA then drive back to Colorado. After doing some research, I found out that in Pahrump, NV, Enterprise Car Rental will allow travel to Death Valley and with an extra payment, they can arrange to pick the vehicle up from Death Valley. This would be the most ideal method of getting out there!

If anyone is interested in this trail, here are two great sites for information and maps:
http://www.simblissity.net/L2H.shtml
http://www.mount-whitney.com/hiking_backpacking_mt_whitney.php 
Here is a site devoted to the Sierra Nevada Wildlife.
I like to do as much research as possible when going somewhere I have not traveled. It is important to know if there are any endangered animals or plant life in the region, as well as it is important to note any potential dangers. Human presence in such delicate habitats really impacts wildlife and should be given the respect of a little research to make our footprints as little as possible.

FrictionLabs Chalk! +Promo Code*

FrictionLabs takes chalk to the next level!

"Some people say, 'chalk is chalk.' Not true. A team of world-class geologists and chemists recently conducted independent tests on 5 of the most common chalks for rock climbing. The results were clear: FrictionLabs chalk is the purest chalk out there."

 Not only is their chalk amazing, but you can subscribe to their chalk so you never run out! As an ambassador, I have a special Promo Code for 30% off your first purchase. If you're interested in trying this crazy awesome chalk, comment below or email me and I will contact you with the Promo Code! 

Click Here to see the Blends!

#ChalkMatters!

My Favorite Gear Shops +$10 off at TheClymb.com !!

Shopping for quality gear can be a struggle. As a college student, money is limited so I do A LOT of research and price comparing before I buy anything.

Shopping online for outdoor gear can be scary if you've never shopped for gear online, or you if you don't know much about the type of gear you're looking for. However, shopping online is the easiest way to compare prices.
I LOVE theclymb.com! It is a great store that gets great deals on a lot of clothes, gear, footwear and just about everything. Since the store gets a great deal, you get the best deal ever on retail items! Most items sold are sold with at least a 50% discount off the original retail price. Since they receive a limited number of items, deals go quickly, but that means there is a constant flow of new things on the site! Theclymb does not just sell great gear and clothes, but they also sell trips, have gear reviews, buying guides and inspiring stories.
Here is a $10 credit for theclymb.com -- http://vnlink.co/SziyWJF

My next favorite online store? Moosejaw.com! Their inventory is based on normal retail prices, but the store usually has a sale going on. If you get on their email list (which I highly recommend), you receive coupons and special deals for free. The site is also very unique, the subtitles of a lot of things are pretty comical.

I do shop at REI, but usually as a last resort since a lot of their things are pretty pricy. I get a lot of presents from REI, so I know their gear is high quality. However, I recently bought their $20 lifetime membership, and am really excited to go to an upcoming 'Garage Sale.' This is just clearance gear that is being knocked down even more in price and sold garage sale style, where first come-first serve. REI also offers classes, workshops and trips for free or a small member fee. The trips are usually the only things that cost anything, unless there is a class that is also a type of national certification. I am happy I bought the membership more for free workshops and classes.

#ColoradoProb no.2: Bouldering on Valentine's

Bouldering is climbing but without ropes or the protection that accompanies climbing with ropes and a harness. While this sounds crazy, it's really not that bad. Bouldering sticks to boulders. Crazy...I know. Safe bouldering includes either one or several crash pads which can be carried as a backpack out to the bouldering area. bouldering is very popular at indoor gyms as well, but has become very different from outdoor bouldering because route setters are able to create whatever type of movement they want.

For Valentine's Day, I asked my boyfriend if we could go bouldering in Colorado Springs. He said yes, of course, and we had a blast.

Climbing this classic Crack route on Graduation Boulder in Cheyenne Canyon, Colo. Springs. 

Graduation Boulder is a great spot to go bouldering because this boulder is HUGE! There are about 10 routes on this one boulder. The 'approach' to the boulder takes 2.7 seconds because it is right off the road. Literally...the road is a foot from the boulder. Since we went bouldering here in February, sure it was a nice day (68 degrees), Graduation boulder is in a canyon and there was still snow around the boulder. The boulder's southern face is along a creek as well, so naturally the boulder is wet on that side and because it was so cool in the canyon that day, the whole boulder felt a little wet and made for a tougher climb.
This boulder also has a long traverse route on the North face that I wasn't able to go too far on because of the snow and wet rock, but I will definitely come back to it when the weather is a lot dryer and the snow is gone.

He's definitely my quirky climber. :) 

#ColoradoProb no.1: We Like to get High

Garden of the Gods is one of the most well-known attractions in Colorado Springs, CO. No one can deny this place its beauty. For those unfamiliar with the Garden, it is this amazing site made up by giant sandstone rock formations that are jutting straight out of the ground in various shapes and sizes.

 

Directly in the background of the Garden lies the edge of the Rockies and a perfect view of Pikes Peak.

While I was always awe-struck by this geological feature, I don't think I truly appreciated this space until I had the opportunity to climb some of the rock faces. Garden of the Gods was the first place I climbed on real rock... outside of the climbing gym. I also learned how to lead-climb here. 

 

 

 

Me climbing the Red Twin Spire (Potholes, 5.7):

If you're looking to truly move up in the climbing world, or want to try it for the first time, contact Front Range Climbing Company. 

http://www.frontrangeclimbing.com/ 

I did two guided tours over the Summer of 2014 and had such a great experience both times. They offer all types of workshops and tours for any level of climbing for pretty decent prices. Their costumer service is phenomenal as well. Front Range Climbing is not just placed in Garden of the Gods either, they offer climbing in multiple areas across Colorado and even in Moab, Utah.

Through Front Range, you also receive a permit to climb at the Garden. This means that you are allowed to climb without a guide (if you have your own gear and know what you're doing) anytime at Garden of the Gods.

Been Around the World, but Colorado is Home.

I am not a Colorado Native. I was born in a city outside of Chicago, Illinois, then my parents joined the Army when I was two years old. Ever since, we've been moving to a new place every 3-4 years. I've lived in Georgia, Washington State, San Antonio TX, San Angelo TX, Germany, Hawai'i, and finally Colorado. As much as I've loved every place I've lived and experienced, none has impacted me the way Colorado has. Don't get me wrong...my experiences in each place truly shaped who I am today. Since I was older when we moved to Germany, I was truly impacted and morphed. Europeans see the world in a whole new light and it was great to experience that during my 'awkward' middle school-high school teenage years. I learned a lot about the world at a perfect age that Americans on the mainland are usually sheltered to.

So there's part of my life-story. But everything picked up when I came to Colorado and graduated High School and decided to go to college here. Colorado has truly become home.
Why? ...Not sure exactly. People often ask me what my favorite place is that I've lived (expecting to hear Europe or Hawai'i). Nope. It's Colorado. It's not an easy decision, of course. I believe it is more that the mountains are home, not necessarily the arbitrary lines that make up the state borders of Colorado. I always say that the people in Hawai'i and Europe were definitely special. The friends I made in my short time living in Hawai'i were some of the best friends I have ever had. Everyone was always so fun and positive, there was never a dull moment. Of course, living within walking distance of the beach was not bad either. In Colorado, the majority of the people here are just like 'normal' Americans. By normal, I only mean that the people are what one would typically see anywhere in the U.S. However, there are some who live without worrying about the cares, or expectations of those 'normal' people. These are the ones who choose a life more immersed in the natural world than the 'normal' people.

That's me. The Rocky Mountains are my home. I could care less about those random, invisible 'lines' created years ago to establish the state of Colorado. My Colorado is the Rockies.

And this is how I live.