Alpine Adventures
Chill Out
We recently set out to backpack 12 miles into the beautiful mountains of Colorado to escape the heat (and the office). Follow along and get inspired by our trip into the alpine. It's not too late in the season to plan your own camping adventure.
Take a Hike
We started our adventure with fresh legs and old friends. Our packs and spirits felt light as we eased into a couple of days unattached from our day jobs and better yet, away from cell service.
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“Backpacking is a true gateway to exploration. It’s the vehicle that gets me from the end of the pavement to the middle of an adventure.” - Jenny
Jenny Fischer
@jenny.lemonpie
Always trying to be present wherever I am. Climbing all the things.
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 125 lbs
Jenny’s Kit
Arc’teryx Taema Crew Shirt – size S
Patagonia Quandary Pant – size 2
The North Face Ventrix Insulated Jacket – size M
Vasque Breeze III GTX Hiking Boot - size 8.5
Deuter Aircontact Lite SL 60 + 10 Pack - one size
Zeal Isabelle Polarized Sunglasses
Backpacking Packs
Lunch Break
The best thing about backpacking is that everything you need is within arm’s reach. This means lunch can be wherever you decide to stop and make it. We chose a sunlit dappled waterfall to stop for lunch and dip our feet before starting on the long uphill grind to our camp spot for the night.
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“There are no rules to how fast or how slow you should be going. Backpacking lets you live life at exactly the pace that feels right.” - Erik
Hiking Footwear
Settling In
We arrived at camp just as the weather was turning for the worse, and we quickly hustled to get our home set up for the evening. We made dinner as the wind and weather blew east across the lake, then dog piled into one tent to eat our much deserved meal.
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“There’s something special about human-powered travel and entering a wild area on your own two feet.” - Leah
Leah Anderson
@leahfanders
Roaming, climbing, and sipping coffee around the world.
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 120 lbs
Leah’s Kit
Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell – size S
Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Pant – size 34
The North Face Low Pro Trucker Hat – one size
KEEN Terradora Waterproof Hiking Shoe - size 7.5
Osprey Eja 78L Women's Pack - Small
Sunski Treeline Polarized Sunglasses
Backpacking Food
Adventure Time
On day two of our adventure, we woke up with no agenda other than to explore our surroundings. We hiked to a ridge above the tree line, cooled off in the run-off of a mountain stream, and challenged ourselves to rock jenga. Not bad for a Thursday.
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“Backpacking gives you a simpler perspective—you appreciate the small things like napping in the sun, floating an alpine lake on your sleeping pad, or just putting on a fresh pair of socks.” - Leah
Hiking & Camping Essentials
A Change of Scenery
After our day of exploration, we decided to move camp up to a new spot we’d scoped in a clearing. Tucked away from the wind and with clear skies above us, we had perfect conditions for night sky watching.
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“Spending time on the trail, carrying everything you need, makes you realize how little you really need to be happy.” - Erik
Erik Gordon
@carabinercoffee
Living in an old VW and spreading love through coffee to change the world. Having fun in as many ways as possible in as many places as possible.
Height: 6'
Weight: 185 lbs
Erik’s Kit
Salewa Ortles Hybrid 2 Hooded Insulated Jacket – size L
Marmot Scree Softshell Pant – size 32 reg
Patagonia Line Logo Badge LoPro Trucker Hat – one size
Salewa Mountain Trainer Leather Hiking Shoe - size 11
Gregory Baltoro 65L Pack - Medium
Zeal Capitol Polarized Sunglasses
Sleeping
Clear And Cool
Getting up to higher elevations means lots of stars and cooler nights. During our trip, we had everything from hot days, wind, and rain, to even some snow flurries at night. Everything you should expect from summer in the mountains. So, before you go on your next trip, make sure you check the weather report and pack for all conditions.
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“I love being out in the wilderness with a few friends, surrounded by mountains and covered by a blanket of stars.” - Leah
Tents & Shelters
Homeward Bound
We headed out from camp just in the nick of time and just missed the severe weather that rolled in on our way down. The upside? The change in weather gave us a totally new view of our path as the dry hot mountains turned into foggy mystic peaks between the clouds.
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Women's Hiking Clothing
The Last Mile
Those last few miles are always hard, but being chased out by a storm gave us that extra burst of energy we needed to get down fast and safe. The trail head snacks and drinks also helped boost our spirits to end our trip on the right note.
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Men's Hiking Clothing
Backcountry Apparel
No matter where you live, the heat of the summer can sometimes be more than you can handle. That’s the time when you should hop in the car with friends and head for the hills. Car camping is a spontaneous (and inexpensive) way to enjoy the great outdoors with little or no planning. That’s just what we did. Come along with us as we gain some altitude and perspective in Colorado.
Scenic Route
Car camping means that you get to choose how you get to your end destination. We took advantage of that and made sure we took the scenic route to our final destination in central Colorado. It’s all about the journey, especially if you take the long way.
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Rain Felkl
@redrock_rain
An Alaska native and Backcountry-Brand Marketing employee. Rock climber, snowboarder, and impulsive traveler. Currently calling Salt Lake City home.
Height: 5’4.5”
Weight: 130 lbs
Rain’s Kit
Patagonia Better Sweater Jacket – size M
Prana Tess Short – size 4x5
Goorin Brothers Animal Farm Trucker Hat - one size
Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandal – size 7
Tents & Shelters
Home Sweet Campsite
After our long drive, we made sure we had plenty of time to lay low and hang out at camp. Camp chairs, quilts, and mugs were a must for our campsite. What piece of home do you love taking with you? Whatever it is, we guarantee that there’s a camp version of it, and that Backcountry.com has it. There’s no need to do without the comforts of home.
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“Being in the mountains, under the stars with a mini living room of pop-up chairs and tables…it’s still camping.” - Gabi
Camp Furniture
Sleep In Style
When it came time to set up our sleeping arrangements, everyone had their tried and true method. Whether you are a MondoKing or a hang-in-the-air kind of camper, car camping does not mean sacrificing comfort or style.
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“When car camping, home is where you park it. With the right kit and essentials, a weekend out of your vehicle can be as comfortable as a weekend at home.” - Rain
Gabi Viteri
@gabiviteri
Gabi Viteri snowboarded professionally for 10 years and is now a songwriter poet and artist attending Berklee. Gabi thrives in the outdoors, nature and adventure is what sustains her.
Height: 5’2”
Weight: 125 lbs
Gabi’s Kit
Patagonia Mainstay T-Shirt – size M
Backcountry On The Go Short – size M
Pistil Buttercup Trucker Hat - one size
Danner Jag Hiking Boot – size 7
Sleeping Bags & Pads
Hit the Ground
We used our car camping adventure as a launching-off point for a little hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Pro Tip: Plan your camp location to be activity central and head straight from camp to the trails.
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“The ability to travel with gear for multiple sports gives you the chance to learn the ins and outs of an amazing weekend getaway spot.” - Chris
Day Packs
Safety First
With most of the Western United States under a burn ban or fire watch for the majority of the summer, we decided to play it safe with some artificial light. If you’re in a place where fires are allowed, always practice fire safety and help protect the places we love most.
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