Mount Yale: My First 14'er and Certainly Not My Last

Yes...it's me under all those layers standing just below the summit of Mt. Yale in Colorado. On my previous trips to Vail I always wanted to climb a "14" but somehow never had the time. So for my fall trip out to Vail I made the decision I was going climb a "14". In Colorado, they have over 54 peaks that rise 14,000 feet or higher. These are affectionately know as Colorado's 14'ers. To climb a 14'er is to take part in one of those grand experiences and what a grand experience it is. It's thrilling, challenging and sometimes frightening but an unequaled experience.

I had originally wanted to hike Mount Holy Cross but after numerous discussions with my guide it was determined that for my first "14" I would climb Mt. Yale which is part of the Collegiate Peaks and 21st tallest peak in Colorado. The name comes from individual peaks which are named after universities, including Mount Harvard, Mount Princeton, Mount Oxford, Mt. Columbia and ofcourse Mt. Yale. It is considered a favorite for those "training" for more technical 14'ers.

My guide Tanya Wiesen of Trailwise Guides and I hit the trailhead around 8am. Mind you, I had already been up four hours. I woke up at 4am and drove one hour on the pitch black mountain roads up to Tennessee Pass near the Continental Divide to hook up with Tanya. There we loaded my gear into her SUV and drove an hour south to the town of Buena Vista. Once at the trailhead we strapped on our gaiters and with our very prepared backpacks started our ascent. Ofcourse in those very "light" backpacks we had extra Patagonia's, waterproof jackets and shells, water, hats, gloves, balaclava, crampons, food, first aid kit, Ziploc bags, cell phones, cameras, sunglasses, GPS, matches/lighter, headlamps, tape, my father's Swiss army knife and most importantly my St. Christopher medal. The climb up Mount Yale starts at Denny Creek Trailhead and basically goes straight up from there. For all the material I read on the web, it looked like a simple four hour climb up with most climbers summiting and returning within seven hours. Yeah..right

Unfortunately, I started the climb with a chest cold and the Diamox I was taking really didn't make a dent in the altitude. Plus we moved the climb up a few days earlier because of the impending snow so I really didn't even have time to acclimate. Basically, it was like running a marathon under water and breathing thru a straw. Besides all that, it was wonderfully challenging up to the summit. The near silence of the high mountains is something one doesn't appreciate until they experience it.

Certainly the hike was longer and infinitely more arduous and yard by yard the effects of the exertion began to play on me physically. The thinning air and physical demands started inducing a mild sense of nausea and dizziness however I was determined to summit. Tanya and I "scrambled"over a boulder field of which is visible in the picture. The boulder field ran about 50 yards and was coated with ice so foot placement was critical because one misstep was a ticket down the mountain either by gravity or stretcher....not so excellent.

Once reaching the summit all that disappeared for those few minutes as Tanya and I were on the top of Mt. Yale. We had an exceptional, clear but cold day with visibility close to 1oo miles. The mountain offered fantastic views of the Sawatch Range, Crested Butte ski area and Pikes Peak. We were surrounded by a dozen 14's. It was truly spectacular. However that was short lived because as Tanya said getting up was the easy part, going down was a different story.


It was on the descent that the forewarning of high altitude sickness finally kicked in and resulted in my "little tumble". My little tumble came on the steepest part of the mountain on scree (our nemesis) which is broken rock or gravel. Even though I had hiking poles it didn't stop my slip slide down the slope. It was at that point Tanya and I had our own "come to Jesus" meeting and it was decided I had to eat a sandwich or two and drink some Emergen-C or things were going to get worse AND we still had 5 hours to the trailhead. Oh brother!

Those last five hours were long, cold and arduous and were made only more torturous by my worsening chest cold accompanied with saturated silk underwear (don't ask) and a throbbing finger that had been bent backwards when I did my "little tumble". And let's not forget the last two hours were done in the pitch black because the headlamps died on the final part of the descent. At that point Tanya and I were locked into one step following the next-type of hiking. In the dark, it is amazing how one's eyes adjust to the night. The towering mountains that surround the trailhead are looming silhouettes of dark purple mass and the stars in the high mountains of Colorado are brilliant!! They are truly diamond-esque against the dark/blue purple velvet of the night. I did manage to enjoy the sky while trying not to walk into a boulder or off the trail or off that !#$%@! log bridge. Oh...gee how could I forget about a mountain lion or two or maybe a bear.

Finally...13 hours from when we started at the trailhead Tanya signs us out of the trail log and we get in her SUV for the hour drive back to Tennessee Pass. On the way I called Joe and Charles and asked them to meet us at the pass because I was just mountained out and couldn't drive back the hour to Vail. So at Tanya's suggestion, the boys brought food for me including "a nice salad", fresh cut fruit, beautiful broiled chicken, two slices of Joe's delicious homemade pumpkin pie and ofcourse the appropriate silverware and linen.

So from the time I left Vail, climbed Mt. Yale and returned home it was a 19 hour day and what a day it was. If you want a glimpse of the summit with Tanya and me visit my page at youtube www.youtube.com/amlfl Hmmm...now about Mount Holy Cross..who knows?

Watching the sunrise over the Collegiate Peaks...
Summitting Mt. Yale...
Viewing the starry Colorado mountain skies...
Trying not to hit the huge elk standing in the middle of the road..
Priceless.....

-Angie of the Aspens

Arches National Park - Utah

Last week one of the most photographed and largest arches in Arches National Park came tumbling down. A National Parks Service spokesperson said Wall Arch collapsed from a combination of gravity and erosion. The picture above is one of hundreds I took during my four day visit at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah. Wall Arch is or "was" part of the famous red arches of sandstone that occur in great profusion. According to the NPS, there are over 1,000 scenic arches. It is wonderfully surreal with its striking rock formations which are scattered over the park's 73,000 acres. There are huge monolithic spires and ridges and they have been featured in many films, most famously Thelma and Louise.

The hiking is truly spectacular especially the Devils Garden Trail where Wall Arch collapsed. The primitive loop which I hiked takes you by seven prominent arches. In many instances you must scramble and free climb up enormous sandstone fins.If you have vertigo this is not the place to hike. There are no railings, no safety nets (no phone service) and alot of slippery rock. As you summit the fins the scenery is National Geographic picture perfect.

Once you are done with Arches you can head over to Canyonlands National Park. It is often referred to as the "Little Grand Canyon". It is 530 square miles of countless canyons, arches, mesas and with the confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers. There are three distinct areas of the park - Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze. The Maze was my favorite section of the park. It is the wildest and remotest part of the park. Roads are unpaved and dusty and you must have a 4WD vehicle. Many times the roads deteriorated into steep canyons and small ravines. (the Flomeister was not happy when she got wind of that her daughter was driving all over creation) It truly is a spectacular part of the country.

The parks are about a four hour ride from Vail. If you do go make sure and get off I-70 west and take the country road US 128 in the back way. I thought for sure I would run into John Wayne driving down that road. Arches and Canyonlands are located near the town of Moab. This town is the starting point for many boat trips down the Colorado River and is the epicenter of mountain biking.

Many visitors visit Moab as part of the "Grand Circle" tour. Within the Grand Circle lies America's largest concentration of National Parks and Scenic Byways. The circle includes 11 National Parks, 16 National Monuments and over 20 Scenic Byways. It is a 1,400 mile circle encompassing sections of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. It is a great way to experience the scenic and historical American West.

Remember...the views don't disappear at sunset. Take the time and boat down the Colorado River at night. The sky is absolutely cloaked in stars. In my travels only Tibet's night sky rivals what I experienced out west.

So, saddle up the horse and giddy up.

Happy trails,
Angie of the Fins

Biscayne Bay Baynanza

Ok..it's been a little time since my last blog. Well alot has happened since Vail and now it's time to get caught up. I have alot of blogging to do so I'll start with "Baynanza 08". I have been fortunate to grow up on Biscayne Bay. I spent many weekends fishing the flats with my Dad and watching my Mom cut the wake waterskiing. However, over the years with Miami's growing population the Bay suffered from pollution and the marine environment was in steep decline.The Bay needed a 911 water rescue and got it from Miami Dade County.

It was in the early 1980's that the County stepped in to save Biscayne Bay. Baynanza was created as part of a larger effort to save the Bay. Now in its 26th year, Baynanza is a celebration of the Bay and its importance as one of our most important ecological and economic systems. Even though Baynanza includes more than 40 great events spanning from March to April, it is the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day that generates the most interest.

So to celebrate the Bay, we volunteered on April 19th with 6500 other people to clean the Bay. People cleaned the Bay from Haulover in the north all the way down to Black Point to the south. Armed with rakes, gloves and trash bags, we all collectively removed more than 30 tons of garbage that had accumulated along our shores and islands of the Bay. The Porifera group (Joe and Charles and ofcourse our coffee connoisseur Lisa) were on Monument Island which is located just south of the Venetian Causeway near Star Island. Our island had nearly 50 volunteers and collected over 120 bags of garbage in three hours. It was a great effort but the Bay needs more than one weekend of cleanup to keep its 69,000 acres clean.

Not all residents appreciate just how fabulous it is to live with one of the largest subtropical lagoons in the United States. It stretches from Haulover all the way down to Card Sound including Biscayne National Park.The Bay supports a diverse biological community from coastal wetlands to submerged aquatic habitats. Anyone who has driven over the Julia Tuttle Causeway can see the extensive seagrass beds at low tide. And for those of us who boat on the Bay are familiar with Miami Limestone (not so good)and ofcourse all the fish fauna. According to the University of Miami School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, there are atleast 512 fish species in the Bay and over 150 species of shrimp, crabs, and lobsters.

Matter of fact, Baynanza weekend we saw manatees, dolphins, herons, egrets and a huge loggerhead turtle. It doesn't stop there...many North American species use Biscayne Bay as a major stopover in the autumn migration. It is all that rich marine life that played an important role in the historic makeup of the Bay. The Tequesta and Calusa Indians settled along the shoreline of Biscayne Bay for its abundant wildlife. Their occupation along the waters of Biscayne Bay was unfortunately short lived after the Spanish made their landfall. Early explorers included Ponce De Leon who sailed into what was then Chequescha Bay. Over hundreds of years little by little what small footprints remained of the Bay's history were filled in by urban development.

However the Bay is still a beautiful aquatic preserve. There aren't too many places that you can go boating, sailing, or pilot an ultralight while watching a pod of dolphins, a manatee or osprey. It is truly unique and hopefully it will stay that way with people respecting the Bay and keeping it clean.

So be involved and be green...the next cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th. This time the cleanup brigade will be on South Beach starting at 1st beach and working its way north. Visit the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach (ECOMB) website at http://www.ecomb.org/ for more info and to sign up.

Ciao,

Angie of the Green Girls

Golden Vail

It was a quick Autumn for Vail this year. The aspens have a few golden leaves left but will probably drop those once the predicted snow showers roll in this weekend. If you don't get to experience the Fall in New England then definitely experience it out west in the Rockies. I still love the drive up to the White Mountains and the Mohawk Trail but there are some equally spectacular routes around Vail and Aspen.

You can drive over to Aspen from Vail to hike Maroon Bells which are quite possibly the most photographed mountains in North America. It is an ideal spot to capture the glory of fall color. If you are one of the lucky ones to secure a campsite along Maroon Lake, you can actually drive all the way into the park and really experience the purple mountain majesties. Maroon Bells for me are as awe inspiring as the Grand Tetons. There are wonderful hiking trails from beginner to expert covering all different areas of Maroon Bells. The Bells are not be missed!

Another beautiful area is Independence Pass which is just down the road from Aspen and it's quite the driving experience. The Amalfi drive in Italy is for girlie-girls compared to Highway 82. There is no dividing line on the shelf road. So as you drive around a curve hugging the mountain you pray no one else is coming the other way. It is a jaw dropping, white knuckle drive up to the 12,095 feet Continental Divide.

There is so much to do in the Vail area. With I-70 right out your door, one can literally drive less than two hours to the best hiking, rafting and skiing areas. Plus there is easy access to some of the "Fourteeners". Those are the 54 mountains in the state that rise more than 14,000 feet above sea level. I definitely intend on climbing a "14", I just have to pick out one. Who knows maybe after our Disney World Marathon weekend I will have to plan a "girls only" trip to summit a "14". No boys allowed, they would only slow us down.

And for those of you who want to have fun the relaxing way there is always the Georgetown Loop railroad. It is an old-time steam locomotive that chugs all the way up a canyon passing the remains of gold and silver mines. It is a two hour journey that takes you through the 1,000 foot deep Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River under the famous Hanging Bridge. I have seen Bald Eagles and Bighorn Sheep and it's a wonderful way to spend a Rocky Mountain afternoon.

Unfortunately, I was in such a rush I left my camera card behind at the house. So no pictures that day..well, more the reason to go back.

So being bi-coastal is totally passe now..bi-mountain is where it's at. Don't forget to check out the The Weather Channel for the latest updates on the Fall Foliage.

The picture this month is one of my favorite trails at Beaver Creek that leads up to Trapper's Cabin. Trapper's by all means is not a "cabin" but a true Beaver Creek experience. It's rustic and rich all rolled into one and the views are simply breathtaking.

Stay tuned for more blogging and check out my new video on YouTube.

Ciao,
Angie of the Autumn

Best of Bodyboarding in The Wedge (Newport)

No wimps allowed when it comes to The Wedge.

Water, Water Everywhere

So how much water do you really need to keep yourself hydrated and cool during the summer season? Do you know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Know the answers to these questions and you will definitely enjoy the summer and keep yourself safe.

Heat-related emergencies are ofcourse caused by overexposure to heat. If you recognize them in the early stages, heat-related emergencies can usually be reversed. If not, then they may progress to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. So what is the difference between the two? Heat exhaustion is basically when the body's cooling system becomes overwhelmed. The signs are-

• Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin.
• Headache, nausea, dizziness.
• Weakness, exhaustion.
• Heavy sweating.

Whereas, Heat stroke is when the body's cooling system is so overwhelmed by heat that it stops functioning. It is a life-threatening condition. The signs are-

• Red, hot, dry skin.
• Changes in the person's level of consciousness.
• Vomiting.

So what do you do if you have a heat-related emergency?

• Move the person to a cool place.
• Loosen any tight clothing.
• Remove sweat soaked clothing.
• Apply cool, wet towels to the skin.
• Fan the person.
• If the person is conscious, give them small amounts of cool water to drink.
• If the person refuses the water, vomits or starts to lose consciousness then call 9-1-1- immediately.

How can you keep yourself or a loved one safe during the dog days of summer? Be smart...do errands early in the morning or evening hours. The same goes for working out be it in the yard or going for a run on South Beach. Make it early in the morning preferably earlier the better. My marathon training group starts our workouts very early on the weekends and we are done no later than 9am in order to beat the heat.

Besides overcoming heat distress during the summer don't forget to keep yourself hydrated. There is no denying that a serious shortage of fluids can cause major problems. When it comes to determining how much hydration you need you can always use the "Sweat-Rate Test". It was developed by the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. First you have to weigh yourself the night before a workout, then you track how much you drink during the workout which is followed by post workout weigh-in but don't forget to take that number and convert it to ounces and then add that number to how many ounces you drank divided by your hourly fluid loss.Yeah right...

In the end, it all comes down to listening to your body. Whatever you choose, drink it cold and in frequent small amounts. This strategy ensures your fluids will be absorbed more quickly--leaving you properly fueled and well hydrated for your workout. You can drink plain old water or sports drinks but drink whichever you think tastes better. Remember drinks aren't the only way to replenish your energy and electrolytes when you're working out. There are portable gels, sport jelly beans, chews and tablets. It is just a matter of finding one that works for you.

Most importantly when working out in the summer heat be smart..if the heat index is too high then delay your workout until it cools off. Wear a hat, sunscreen and hydrate.

See you on the beach!!

Ciao,

Angie of the Sandbar

Stay tuned for my next blog on great things to do during the changing of the leaves in Vail, Colorado.

This month's picture is from one of my favorite places in the Florida Keys, Bahia Honda State Park, a great place for snorkeling, beaching and sunsets. Check out my previous blogs on the Keys and don't forget to visit Self-size.com for my latest fitness tips.

Just added this month to YouTube is my travel video from India. www.youtube.com/amlfl

Chowda-Heads

Happy as a clam….chowda heads..Seafood is as quintessential to New England as are lighthouses, the fog, Fenway Park and long, rocky beaches. A non-native can be frustrated trying to translate all the various shellfish you find on the menu. Well here is your quick, easy guide for eating your way across New England.

First there are steamers which are steamed soft-shell clams bought by the bucket. It is a little work to find the meat inside and can be messy. If you don’t want to hassle with a fresh bucket you can have them served deep-fried as clam strips. There are also clam cakes which are deep-fried made with stuffing and chopped clams then dunked in malt vinegar or sprinkled with salt or lemon juice.

Next are cherrystones which are round clams either served raw on the half shell or baked in the shell with bread crumbs and spices as what is known as clams casino.

Ok..stay with me…then there are quahogs. Those are large hard shell clams which are also Rhode Island’s state mollusk, only in New England will you find a state mollusk. However when you take the meat of the quahog mince it all up and throw on breadcrumbs and spices and bake it like clams then they are called “stuffies”. I only learned this the other night having a seafood feast with the family at one of our favorite restaurants in Jamestown, Rhode Island. My little cousin Vicenzo was nice enough to point out the subtleties of clams casino versus stuffies.

So we have steamers, clams, quahogs, cherrystones, periwinkles (a very small snail) and we can’t forget mussels. Mussels which are my favorite of the New England shellfish are a dark, oval-shaped mollusk. They are best enjoyed steamed with drawn butter.

However, I still haven’t discussed lobsta’s or chowda. Those two food groups have their own place with me. Anyone who knows me understands my love for lobsta (not lobster) and chowda (not chowder). During my visits in New England I have lobsta rolls, lobsta bisque, lobsta eggs benedict, lobsta omelet’s, lobsta penne, lobsta pizza, etc…When I am not having lobsta I am sampling and savoring fresh New England chowda not Manhattan chowder. All chowda must be accompanied by a big spoon and oyster crackers. Some of the best chowda around is Rosie’s in Ogunquit/Maine, Fenway Park/Boston (especially when the Red Sox win), The Black Pearl/Newport, the beach road deli/Provincetown, and one of the all-time best was the restaurant which is one block off the wharf on the island of Nantucket. I don’t remember the name of the restaurant but the chowda was a heavy, milky broth with huge meaty chunks. It was wonderfully delicious.

I have yet to find lobsta ice cream but when I do I will let you all know.

In closing here are a few things to remember when eating shellfish. Shellfish should be cooked/iced immediately upon harvesting. The shells will naturally open themselves when cooked and if the shells are still closed DO NOT eat them.

Also it is imperative that you have enough drawn butter, plastic bibs, Wet-Naps and crackers (to crack open the lobsters, not ritz) to really experience what is a traditional New England summer memory.

More to come…

Angie of the Lobstas

PS. We are all going to see the movie “Evening” this week. The movie which stars Meryl Streep, Glen Close and Vanessa Redgrave was filmed in Newport and the nearby town of Tiverton. The white house in the movie is located in Newport and is known to the locals as “The Ledges” because it literally sits at the edge of the rocks off Gooseberry Beach. I did a previous blog about Gooseberry Beach. The beach is a wonderful spot in Newport and the view is spectacular.