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.

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